An interesting Open Source J2ME Library has been released via SourceForge. The J2ME Game Libary is targeted at MIDP1.0 devices (such as the N-Gage), and provides classes for dealing with repainting, sprites and movement. Let's see what the Java programmers can do with that.
Over on Russell Beattie's Weblog, he points out not only that it's been 10 years of DooM, but after a long courtship, he's starting to really enjoy portable gaming on his N-Gage... perhaps not in the way that Nokia intended, though.
UK Newspaper The Guardian talks about the speed in which mobile gaming has taken off in the last 18 months. The article is available at Guardian Online, and while there are some steps that seem a bit illogical, it's a nice read.
Tapland, a site for the Tapwave Zodiac (Palm OS powered Gaming Device) is reporting that Stunt Car Extreme multi-player is cross compatible between the N-Gage and the Zodiac. So if you have one of the devices, it can multi-player with the same device, or the other one! Now this is the way forward. With the Zodiac acceptting MMC cards (like the N-Gage) perhaps we'll see MMC cards with versions for both Palm OS and Symbian OS shipping in the future? Imagine that...
Ewan has (finally) got his hands on an N-Gage, and the long term review has been done to death on the internet. So her'es his review after (about) 30 minutes with the N-Gage. AAN's previous in-depth look at the N-Gage is still online.
December 8, 2003 - Nokia today announced Operation Shadow, its second own published title for the N-Gage game deck. Operation Shadow is a war themed 3D action adventure that immerses gamers into the world of heavy combat action, lightning strikes and the latest military equipment. With multiplayer support for up to 4 players via Bluetooth wireless technology, Operation Shadow allows for fast-paced and action-packed competitive game play.
It's the sort of thing any James Bond needs to know - how to be cool when playing Bridge... after all, we have the "Q" Gadgets in our phones! But can Cascata's Bridge for Series 60 help you learn? Over to Ewan's review to find out.
To go along with the new release of the OPL Runtime, FreEPOC and Ewan Spence have released an update to Vexed - The Ancient Riddles. Join Sekushi Dianno as she journeys through Puzznic's puzzles, now with full Menu support and a standard S60 interface.
Over at Mobitopia, theres a nice article on Piracy, Warez and Roms in the Mobile Games Industry. The problem exists, and this is a lovely overview of what's 'grey' out there.
Why not come along to another of the AAS Pub Meetings? Lots of drink, chat and fun people to meet. W're having another prize raffle, another Guest Speaker (who we'll announce later this week) and another Mystery Star Prize Bag. The fun starts at 6.30pm at the Dover Castle, London. Update: The guest speaker will be from Sendo and will be demoing the Sendo X. More details tomorrow.
Russell Beattie (of Mobitopia) has taken time out after a week with his N-Gage to write up why the N-Gage is a Disaster for Nokia. It makes for painful reading, but it's hard to find fault with the symptoms, or the proposed cure.
The price of the N-Gage in the US has been dropped by $100. The new price is available at game stores such as Electronics Boutique and Gamestop. Online retailer Amazon is alsoo offering the N-Gage at the new price. $199 - not bad!
The Register is reporting that the Sun Newspaper (a UK tabloid) is running a special offer whereby you can buy the N-Gage for 1p. You have to sign up for a contract too (£28), but this still represents very good value for money.
fastmobile announced this week that its fastchat service is now available on the Nokia N-Gage. As well as connecting you to various IM services (and allowing you to send photos from your phone), fastchat supports VOIP chat (aka push to talk).
In this Reuters article Nokia say they have sold 400,000 N-Gage in the first two weeks. However other reports have suggested low sales in the UK (though these didn't track sales in phone shops).
