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N-Gage II Evolution or the last review's part

First part>>>

Second part>>>

Many columnists and analysts have not mentioned N-Gage’s potential and further Nokia’s moves. There’s no understanding of product’s objects. Therefore, on the one hand, this material is the last part of N-Gage’s review and on the other hand, it is analysis of the current situation and the forecast for the future. Hence the article’s singularity, it combines two directions – review and analytics.

It was said enough about gaming controls. Having set up game card you turn on the console and the games appears in the main menu. The manufacturer positions the console as 3D games solution, but this is not real. The best games to play on the console are usual 2D games, as screen’s dimensions are not enough for full 3D view. On the other hand, you can sink into the 3D world using imagination, but this fact does not concern to console’s technical opportunities.

During the first year Nokia to include Nokia Game in the standard kit, that is the unique free game. Any additional game will cost about 30-50$. Such price level seems to be possible for the European users, but it lowers market outlooks for Russia.

By the release, date there will be available about 40 games of different genres in stock. The most of them are known from PC and game consoles. There are no fundamentally new games, written especially for the N-Gage yet. It’s necessary to mention such games as: Tomb Raider, Tony Hawk Pro Skater, Red Faction. Curiously, early THPS have been promoted by SonyEricsson in their T310. It’s not absolutely clear how this game could appear in the competitive product.

Nokia concludes treaties with many game developers and has even purchased one of them. However, let’s talk about console’s game states.

A big plus is multiplayer via bluetooth, so up to 4 players can play simultaneously. Usual game consoles don’t have such feature, so that’s could become N-Gage’s strength. On the other hand, it is rather difficult to find a rival. Maybe the manufacturer supposes the devices will be bought in pair, that’s far from being real.

The main lacks (gaming part) are absence of bluetooth-connection indicator, so you do not see whether the connection is enabled; you cannot also adjust volume while playing. Classical game consoles have such feature, as its presence looks logical. You can also listen to the radio while playing, that’s a plus, but someone could consider such feature excessive.

As a whole, gaming process is comfortable. It is quite convenient playing usual 2D. Its impossible saying something special about N-Gage, its game opportunities are better than the smartphones’, but particularized consoles are better. Therefore, it is time to tell about them.

The main rival for the N-Gage becomes already released Nintendo Game Boy Advance (SP). This console has more games that are available and has good sale infrastructure, it’s very powerful and serious competitor for N-Gage. The absence of communicative feature will be fixed in the near future – the corresponding module is developed in cooperation with Motorola. Nintendo has developed UMTS-module intended for the Japanese market, it converts game console in usual cell phone. In one word, GBA has growth potential and it will be used as show the latest events.

That promises Nokia big expenses for promoting N-Gage, seems like the company understands that and is ready for it. About this fact speak the efforts which are applied for promoting N-Gage – individual site and individual means for advertisement. Below are some photos from N-Gage’s European tour.

The fact the Nokia decided making these steps speaks about long presence of game consoles on the market. So, Nokia prepares N-Gage II project, which will be in stock November 2004. The update includes improved keyboard, new joystick and bigger screen. Other innovations include multiplayer thru GPRS or using EDGE. Perhaps Nokia will prepare infrastructure for new product release, but in this concern the main plot of this project.

Most analytics estimated N-Gage’s perspectives as the separate product, not as the family, where N-Gage is the first sings. It’s like a statement that Nokia is capable to work on this market and an attempt to put right business processes. At that, Nokia understands the existing channels cannot be used for spreading the N-Gage. It’s explained by the cellular providers. They are not interested in N-Gage’s promoting, because they’re trying to sell broadcast time and additional services. That’s why many phones are unable to receive and send ring tones via IrDA and bluetooth, as the manufactures follows providers’ tastes, so they can earn on selling such services. In case of N-Gage games are delivered on memory cards in individual boxes, there are no multiplayer games using cellular networks, so providers don’t receive any incomes after selling the game console. Therefore, N-Gage’s sales won’t be great in Europe, but this is not required. It’s necessary to make a good showing in game console market.

The further steps are predictable and evident. When the strong rival is present, it is possible to beat it having only presented unique features, which the rival company won’t be able to realize during 2 years. What are Nokia’s strengths? Right, in its well realized communications with cellular providers. In reality, Nokia will become the first company, which presents multiplayer games for EDGE networks. On the other hand it has its own N-Gage II, on the other hand it has several games developed especially for N-Gage II and one potential hit. Nokia will also offer Nokia Game Server for the cellular providers, which allows finding rivals in real time. The appearance of such opportunities allows providers reducing expenses for introducing EDGE, because video transferring won’t cause special interest for usual users, but games can cause live interest. Providers will receive the unique instrument and will be able offering popular service. Look at the growth of online multiplayer game communities.

It turns out very interesting situation, the company will receive income of selling terminals, which will be subsidized by providers, that results in the disappearing of rival products. N-Gage II will be sold by 10 Euro in case of purchasing it with contract of big operator, which supposes using EDGE. The support of multiplayer GPRS games will be the step for those countries in which there will not be EDGE networks. If to compare prices with rival consoles results that Nokia N-Gage II wins unconditionally, but will lose by some characteristics. In the same time the originality of features will attract the most active youth, will form the first users community. Further Nokia will occupy the first place on the new market. It only has to release new games and to stir up developers’ community for writing new programs. Other companies become overtaking.

SonyEricsson takes up similar product. However, the company considered the expenses for product’s promotion will be very big and will not be rental. There’s no much information about this project, it was cancelled very quickly. The reason could be the fact that this project went from Ericsson.

In my opinion, N-Gage II should receive proper name like N-Gage II Revolution. This word describes the EDGE networks transformation by N-Gage II. On the other hand, EDGE Evolution slogan allows creating interesting ads.

We think the first public information about N-Gage will appear summer 2004, when the market is full by the first version of N-Gage. In the same time, Nokia’s partners will receive information about company’s plans at CeBIT or in May 2004. The company will try minimizing any leaks, as time is the main trump in such situation. Such companies as Siemens, Motorola and maybe Samsung can make competition on this market. However, time factor is not favorable for them, as the development of the new solution speeds inside Nokia simultaneously with finishing current console.

Conclusion

N-Gage’s sales start 7 October, the price makes about 350$. In case of such price and game’s cost, its sales will moderate. It’s problematically using the console as usual cell phone. It’s interesting decision for well-to-do youth, but market’s volume is too slender.

The situation about the next N-Gage product is described maximally clearly above. It’s clear, these time constraints are predictable and could change, too many factors influence on them. The main factor is the appearance of EDGE networks and their development in Europe. We’ll appreciate any ideas about N-Gage II. Probably, someone has additional information or device’s drafts, we’ll receive them with gratitude. Maybe someone considers the described script unreal, we’ll also appreciate such ideas, but, please, be reasoned.

Eldar Murtazin ([email protected])
Translated by Andreas Von Horn ([email protected])
Published — 30 October 2003

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