Well, we won't be seeing the 'First Access' N-Gage application this week after all. Nokia has confirmed - again in a
post on the official N-Gage blog - that even the pre-release soft-launch of N-Gage has slipped to 2008.
In full:
"Unfortunately, as can sometimes happen in software development, unexpected difficulties can occur. We have been doing an internal run with more than 1,000 global testers this week, and during this process we uncovered an issue we feel we need to address. Overall, the games and service are working smoothly, but because of this issue, we feel we could not release N-Gage First Access before the holidays as planned."
Instead, the post says Nokia will "continue to polish the overall experience, ready more games for N-Gage First Access, carry on our extensive internal testing over the holidays, and prepare for the new year and the new wave of mobile play."
It was due to launch in November, then December, and now it's hopefully coming early next year. We are, frankly, speechless. But perhaps it's less of a disappointment for consumers, rather than frustrated industry folk. What are your thoughts?
Joined:
Oct 2007
Post count:
18
Despite the waiting time and expectation, I think it's a clever decission. Gamers want a nice working platform, without any kind of complications. It's true that we've been waiting for a quite long time for the new N-gage, but often people'd preffer to wait instead of playing (and paying!) for something that simply doesn't work as it should.
Just one thing more: if I could get a wish come true, it would be a promotional N-gage starter kit for about 20€-25€ with one or two full games + a bluetooth mobile gamepad. It would be this season's hit for sure. Nokia can still make it
Joined:
Sep 2005
Post count:
276
Like the idea of a starter kit, although I think the format is far too fragmented and confusing at the moment.
I'm still not clear how many phones it's available on, when it's launching, what games etc. In short it's not overly slick so far and it could be very difficult to gain any momentum as the hardcore folk are already confused and losing patience. But then I guess neither has it been overly hyped to the masses as yet.
Hmmm, can't help thinking Nokia would be better off putting out a 'beta' version and giving folk a free game or two in exchange for some testing help at this stage.
Joined:
Oct 2006
Post count:
683
The decision might be clever (possible sensible is a better description) but you have to worry about a company and a technology that's been 'almost' released for about four months. After awhile, the industry (if not punters), will start to think Nokia doesn't really know what it's doing.
Joined:
Oct 2007
Post count:
18
>> "The decision might be clever (possible sensible is a better description)"
Yes, you're right.
>> but you have to worry about a company and a technology that's been 'almost' released for about four months.
I'm agree with you that maybe Nokia didn't have to spread the word so much time BEFORE they actually wanted to launch their platform. But what is done is done. Now they have to make something really nice of it or, as you say, we'll start to think they don't even know what they're doing.
