More E3 news, as Nokia and Sega provide the first public demo of the SNAP system that allows Java programmers to access all the online features of the Nokia N-Gage Arena. This includes community features, lists of friends, instant messaging in game systems, and the ability to upload and store data on an Arena like server. While primarily aimed at networks and service providers (can we all say Vodafone Live?), this MIDP2.0 SDK should be available free of charge in Q3 2004.
The E3 Technology Conference in Los Angeles sees Nokia announce eight new N-Gage games for release in 2004 and early 2005. What have we got to look forward to? Civilisation, Driv3r, Fifa 2005 (there's a surprise!), King of Fighters, Glimmerati, Rifts, SSX Out of Bounds and Xanadu Next. Some great names and titles, including another N-Gage specific title in the "Glam Driving Experience" of Glimmerati. And we've finally got a beat em up title!
Vector Blaster is a wonderful recreation of the classic Atari arcade game "The Tempest" that runs on UIQ and Series 60. How wonderful? Read Ewan's Review to find out.
Jim reviews Marcel Desailly Pro Soccer, is it good enough enough to elbow FIFA off the top spot? Or does it fall apart at the seams like Chelski's post-Chopper Harris defense? Read it and find out!
Who about a full first person RPG on your N-Gage? With input from the original design team of Elder Scrolls, Nokia and Wir2L Studios will be releasing "The Elder Scrolls Travels: Shadowkey" in Q4 2004. Todd Howard, executive producer comments that "the N-Gage platform is clearly delivering the best 3D experience we've ever seen on a mobile device." Nokia promised some big names and titles, let's hope there's more like this.
So the N-Gage QD has fewer features than the N-Gage "Classic", but does this make it a lesser device, or is the very fact that it is different a positive boon? Jim tots up the pros and cons of the QD. Do you agree with his findings?
Allack have been in touch with All About N-Gage, with the simple phrase "I am physicall holding a copy of Marcel Desailly Pro Soccer." The games drought is officially over! You can purchase Marcel from Allack, and they're happy to ship worldwide.
Ewan's been getting ready for a long hot summer by reviewing Jamdat's Lemonade Tycoon. Managing and selling cold juice to sweltering passers by is the aim of this management game, but is it an Arsene Wenger or a David Brent? Let's find out.
Stan Lee's watching over us. Activision and Nokia today announced "Spiderman 2" for the Nokia N-Gage, with 4 3-D Levels and 15 2-D Levels. But is it a fighting game? Or action adventure? Apart from a useful quote that it will "provide a challenging arena to combat a wide range of enemies" we don't know. Spiderman 2 will be availaable in the summer of 2004.
No matter where you are, the mobile version of All About N-Gage is available. With all the functionality and content of the main web site, All About N-Gage Mobile is the most comprehensive site you visit using the built in N-Gage Software. Bookmark it now. We're working on the mobile version of All About Symbian as well...
Jim's been gathering links to N-Gage QD Coverage from around the web. What do other sites think? Did anyone really love it? Or loath it? Here's some recommended reading.
Jim and Ewan caught up with Ilkka Raiskinen at the recent launch of the N-Gage QD, and managed to find out a bit more about the N-Gage family, the man overseeing it inside Nokia, and (perhaps) some UK Sales Figures as well. Read the full interview here.
3-d Action? 4 way Bluetooth multiplayer suppourt? User Forums and download new levels from the N-Gage Arena? Here comes Snakes on MMC for the N-Gage, and we've tracked down some screenshots for you. No word on availability, but this could be a very sought after title given the reactions of the AAN Editorial Team...
What's in a name? Quite a lot - so what's up with the stange new worlds of the N-Gage Family? Here's some quick and dirty commentary for a Friday afternoon, as we ask, What Does QD Really Stand For?
Ewan's been casting his expert eye over the N-Gage QD at today's press launch and he's reasonably happy with what he's found out. It's not the perfect machine Nokia were hoping for, and there's very little to tempt existing N-Gage Users to upgrade, but it's nice. Here's what he thought, in another of our "30 Minutes With" articles.
