Multiplayer on N-Gage Suggestions
I’ve been really enjoying the new N-Gage platform, especially the Arena, where I can play some games head-to-head, such as System Rush, and other games I can upload my scores, to see how I match up against others. The multiplayer aspect is really what it supposed to set N-Gage apart from other mobile gaming platforms, and I have say, it works just O.K. However, there’s a huge issue that I want to point out.
I can add my friends in N-Gage, so that we can see when each other is online, available for a match or whatever. The problem lies in setting these games up. Currently, N-Gage has it backwards, requiring you to chat with your buddy about the game, and then you have to leave the chat and go into the game, setup a room, and wait (fingers crossed) for your buddy to find that same room, and join the game.
The issue rears its head again, but hints at what’s needed, when you want to play in the Arena, and you’ve not seen who’s online. Let’s say you just want to play System Rush, so you go in, and look for available games, but no one’s online. That sucks, now what?
The problem is that N-Gage sets up multiplayer games backwards. I should be able to pick a game, say, Mile High Pinball, and go to create a game. When I do this, I should get a popup asking if I would like to invite a friend to play. Choosing yes would bring up my friends list, and allow me to see which of my friends are currently online, available for play. I could then send them an invite, which would show up as a popup, saying that Rcadden has invited them to play Mile High Pinball, and would they like to play?
Taking that a step further, we need to be able to schedule games from within the application. Let’s say that I know tomorrow at 4pm I’m going to have some time to play Mile High Pinball. I should be able to setup a gaming match against a friend, for a future time and date, and we’d both get a reminder ~15 mins (or some other time frame) before the match is set to begin.
What other improvements to the multiplayer feature does N-Gage need to make to be more usable?
Bonus Link: Tzer2 at AllAboutNgage.com has recently created a set of ‘rules’ that N-Gage games need to follow. Brilliant, a must-read.
This is a little off-topic… but are you even able to play the N-Gage without any problems? My understanding is that the N95-3 isn’t even compatible with the current firmware. When I installed it I had so many problems trying to use it that I gave up. I purchased Creatures of the Deep but I could never get the license to work properly — it kept loading the trial version of the game. When I called Nokia support they eventually refunded my money, saying that N-Gage isn’t currently compatible with the firmware on my device. When I read the support forums there, it looks like most of the problems come from people attempting to play N-Gage with the N95-3. This is yet ANOTHER reason why I want a firmware update.
Back on topic, I don’t really have any suggestions yet because I haven’t been able to use N-Gage enough to even try the multi-player aspect.
I really think Microsoft got it right with Xbox 360 and the way you get a non-intrusive on-screen message each time your friends sign on. It allows for you to know when your pals are on in-game.
I really can’t wait for One to come out as I think it will really validate N-Gage as a high performance mobile multi-player gaming platform. Plus I admit, I like fighting game.
Similarly to Rob Toole’s comment regarding Xbox, I would point N-Gage Product Manager(s) to Mario Kart for the Wii in the way that friend system is implemented.
I remember raising something like this at Mobile World Congress - leaning towards full handset integration + presence etc…
Also - re Gaming as a whole - STILL one of the best non-online, multi-player games out today is Global Race. SO playable and GREAT over four-player bluetooth.