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Monthly Archive for June, 2007

Interview with Nokia’s Mark Ollila

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Devin Kent
on June 29, 2007
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Mark OllilaMobileIndustry.biz has posted part one of a multi-part interview with Nokia’s Mark Ollila.

Ollila is a veteran of the mobile games industry, having co-founded Telcogames in 2003 amongst other things, and his role at Nokia is to relaunch the N-Gage as a gaming platform. In the interview, they cover topics ranging from content vs. distribution to Nokia’s target audiences, such as here:

Do you subscribe to the philosophy that mobile games should be simple, one-thumb affairs, or do you believe that there is a demand for 3D graphics and complex gameplay?

From a Nokia perspective, we’ve got two components. We’ve got third-party publishing where we’re bringing in people like EA and Glu, Gameloft - they’re bringing their franchises to our handsets. Some of those are hardcore in nature, some of then are casual in nature.

With our first-party publishing, which I’m heading, we’re looking at games which target both hardcore and casual markets. But the direction that I want to push in is going towards made for mobile, innovative, social gaming, looking at pervasiveness, looking at the aspect of rewarding players.

Check the link above to read the full interview.

Nokia announces new developer program

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Devin Kent
on June 29, 2007
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Nokia has announced a new low-cost developer program called Launchpad, reports the Mobile Games Blog.

Launchpad includes many of the benefits that Nokia Forum Pro users receive: early access to SDKs and APIs, cheap licensing of Carbide Developer Edition, discounts on devices, books, and software, and a discounted access to the Symbian Signed program.

The package goes for €800, while the Nokia Forum Pro comes at a cost of €4,000 per company. Check out Nokia’s developer website to compare the features of the programs or to sign up.

Capcom to publish NOM 2 in Japan

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Devin Kent
on June 29, 2007
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Capcom has announced that they have acquired exclusive rights to publish NOM 2 in Japan, reports MobileIndustry.biz.

The original game, where you move and control your character by turning your handset, saw over two million downloads in the developer’s native South Korea, and was distributed in Europe by Living Mobile. There are no details yet on what improvements the sequel will have.

Capcom has also announced their intention to expand their presence outside of Japan, as well as across multiple platforms. Their president, Kenzo Tsujimoto said that “mutual shareholding in, business partnerships with, or acquisition of companies that create content popular around the world is something Capcom is actively pursuing.”

Flexis Extreme website and contest launched

Published
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Devin Kent
on June 29, 2007
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Telcogames has announced that they have launched an official website for the upcoming game Flexis Extreme, as well as an associated contest.

Flexis Extreme is a block matching puzzle game where you must match three or more of the same color blocks from the field. In a unique twist, however, the rubbery blocks can bounce and land off-balance, and require care to set up. The game features three modes of play: classic, marathon, and a mission mode with 50 levels and multiple objectives.

Telcogames has also announced a competition for those in the UK. By answering a simple question about the game, players will be included in a draw to win a Nokia 6300 phone. The game launches across Europe on July 4th, and you can check out the official site to find more information on game and contest.

Gameloft hosts Orange Trophy contest

Published
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Devin Kent
on June 28, 2007
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Gameloft is going to host the Orange Trophy mobile gaming contest, reports the Mobile Games Blog.

56 gamers will battle it out in Gameloft’s Asphalt 3: Street Rules at the Parc des Expositions in Porte de Versailles, Paris. The contest lasts from July 5th to the 8th, and the winner will receive €1,000.

Keep an eye on QB to hear about the winner.

HeroCraft announces Governator 2

Published
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Devin Kent
on June 28, 2007
in Content Releases
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HeroCraft has announced the return of their action platformer in the form of Governator 2.

Players can once again take on the role of the cybernetic demolition demon and battle against hordes of terrorists, maniacs, and extremists. The game features high quality graphics, a large arsenal of weapons, and a “horrible final boss” in the words of HeroCraft.

Governator 2 is available in a number of localizations, including English, Russian, Spanish, and French, and is targeted at J2ME phones.

I-play announces ER Rush

Published
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Devin Kent
on June 27, 2007
in Content Releases
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I-play has announced that they are working on a new medical sim called ER Rush.

Taking on the role of a new Junior Emergency Room Doctor, players must diagnose, treat, and discharge enough patients to be promoted to the next hospital. If you don’t treat the patients in time, complications will arise requiring additional treatments. The game takes a light-hearted approach to medicine, with patients including werewolves, dogs, and vampires.

“ER Rush brings a truly unique twist on plate spinning games, by setting the gameplay in a busy Emergency Room, with an added pinch of wacky humor,” said Leighton Webb, SVP of content strategy and licensing at I-play. “ER Rush is casual gameplay at its best.”

The game is scheduled to launch throughout North America in Q3 of this year.

The iPhone Pre-Review Review, pt I

Published
by
Corey Tamas
on June 27, 2007
in Game and Hardware
. 0 Comments

Apple iPhone

Today we look again at the iPhone in the first part of a two-part installment on the new killer mobile phone from Apple. The release of this juggernaught is imminent, and we want to take a last look at what Apple has to offer before the curtain is drawn back. Part 2 will come on Friday when we talk about how the iPhone has been received by Planet Earth and, hopefully, reveal a few things about what one can’t possibly know until they hold it in their hand.

Continue reading ‘The iPhone Pre-Review Review, pt I’

Pages: 1 2 3

The QuicklyBored Podcast - Episode 17 - June 26, 2007: Mike Yuen and Oliver Miao roundtable

Published
by
qBored
on June 26, 2007
in Conferences and Podcast
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BREW2007
In a brave attempt to survive the craziness that is Brew 2007, Douglas “Tron” Soltys holds court with Qualcomm’s Mike Yuen and Vivendi’s Oliver Miao. Listen in as the ‘BREW’ Crew discusses the Signature Solution and its potential affect on episodic content, user generated content, and brand awareness. Somehow, the Goo Goo Dolls and helicopter rides also find their way into the mix.

Thanks to everyone who made BREW 2007 an awesome show!

 
icon for podpress  Episode 17 - The QuicklyBored Podcast - June 26, 2007: Mike Yuen and Oliver Miao roundtable: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

PopCap targets the mobile sector

Published
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Devin Kent
on June 26, 2007
in News
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PopCap Games’ chief creative officer, Jason Kapalka, has stated that they will be moving focus from the PC to casual titles in the mobile space, reports MobileIndustry.biz.

Kapalka says that casual games are the future of mobile gaming, and that they will avoid the lure of 3D games.

“The form factor of a mobile device is very applicable to casual games. Companies like Electronic Arts have tried to make more complicated mobile games and the hardware is getting to the point where you can do things like 3D on the cell phone. But what hasn’t changed is that it’s still a one inch screen that you’re trying to play with one thumb on a little clumsy keyboard,” said Kapalka. “So despite the presence of a lot of technological games on cell phone, the fact that games like Tetris, Bejeweled and Solitaire dominate the top ten lists of mobile gaming suggests that casual games are going to be the dominant force for some time to come.”

Kapalka recently gave an interview to MobileIndustry.biz’s sister site, GamesIndustry.biz.