15th April 2004 - Nokia today announced the N-Gage
QD mobile game deck, the latest addition to the N-Gage
platform. The N-Gage QD is a compact device with a hot-swappable
multimedia (MMC) slot for instant gaming, longer battery
life, improved gaming controls, brighter screen, powerful
smartphone features and the new N-Gage Arena launcher
application. Gamers will be able to play all of their
favorite N-Gage titles, connect to the worldwide mobile
gaming community over mobile networks via the N-Gage Arena
as well as take part in close-range mobile multiplayer
gaming via Bluetooth wireless technology.
The planned range of prices is expected to be from €99/$99
with a contract to €199/$199 as an unsubsidized,
untaxed retail price. The N-Gage QD game deck is expected
to be available in May 2004 for Europe, Africa and Asia
Pacific and in June 2004 for the Americas. The N-Gage
QD will be available in two versions: a GSM 900/1800 variant
(Europe, Africa and Asia Pacific) and a GSM 850/1900 variant
(Americas).
"After six months on the market with the N-Gage platform,
we wanted to expand our device portfolio based on the
feedback we've received," said Nokia's Senior Vice
President of Games, Ilkka Raiskinen. "With improved
gaming ergonomics, gamers can now start to play games
at the push of a button and enjoy the increased responsiveness
of the game keys. We also added support for hot-swap MMC
and extended the battery life. For phone calls, we reoriented
the speaker and microphone to support 'classic talking'."
The N-Gage QD game deck supports existing N-Gage game
titles as well forthcoming N-Gage exclusive titles like
Ashen, Pathway to Glory and Pocket Kingdom: Own The World,
and blockbuster hits like The Sims: Bustin' Out, Crash
Nitro Kart and Tiger Woods PGA TOUR 2004.
The new N-Gage Arena launcher makes accessing the N-Gage
Arena even easier than before. The launcher is a software
application preinstalled on the N-Gage QD device that
allows gamers full access to the N-Gage Arena community
directly from their game deck.
Once installed, the launcher is accessed from an icon
in the game deck's main applications menu, similar to
other N-Gage software.
Using the launcher via a GPRS connection, N-Gage Arena
members can communicate with one another, download exclusive
content, access rankings statistics, participate in events
and activities, and more. Existing N-Gage users will be
able download the N-Gage Arena launcher from www.n-gage.com
in May 2004.
The N-Gage QD game deck also supports advanced smartphone
features such as personal information management, XHTML
browser, email and the possibility to download and install
additional Series 60 applications.
The N-Gage QD game deck will be showcased at this year's
Electronic Entertainment Expo (E3) in Los Angeles, California
from May 12 to 14, 2004. The N-Gage booth (South Hall,
1524) will also have the latest in high-profile exclusive
N-Gage titles and blockbuster hits. For more information
on the N-Gage QD game deck, log on to www.n-gage.com/qd.
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