N-GAGE NEWS
Exclusive: Hackers claim to have cracked N-Gage app
And the games are being pirated online, too |
Fed up with the fact that the new N-Gage application only works on a few handsets? It seems hackers felt the same way, and have been busy cracking it to work on a host of other Series 60 devices.
We've found one online forum with a download link to the application saying it works on Series 60 v3 handsets including the E65, 5700 XpressMusc, the N73, N71, E51, 6110 and 6210c.
It offers a five-step process to get the app installed on these handsets, as well as installing cracked versions of N-Gage games. No, we're not providing the link here. The forum thread has had over 12,000 views, so it's clearly creating some interest.
It gets worse for Nokia, though. Several forums are claiming to offer cracked versions of N-Gage games, including System Rush Evolution, Mile High Pinball, Space Impact: Kappa Base, Asphalt 3: Street Rules, and Hooked On: Creatures of the Deep.
That didn't take long, and is sure to cause concern within the company, particularly as it recently cited its strict DRM as one of the reasons why gamers would have to re-buy their N-Gage games if they switched handsets.
Is it a big problem for Nokia? You could argue that relatively few people will make the effort to get a hacked version of the app and its games �" even if it is just a case of a few seconds Googling.
During its First Access beta trial, Nokia looked benignly on users trying to get the N-Gage app working on non-supported phones, claiming it showed the pent-up demand for N-Gage.
However, the news that online forums are offering cracked versions of the games will surely raise alarm bells within the company.
Joined:
Oct 2007
Post count:
105
Not really new is it? Kind of like saying "News: Sun rose into the sky this morning"
With even the most complex DRM like securom for the PC being broken I wasn't holding out much hope for what ever Nokia had come up with.
Joined:
Dec 2006
Post count:
152
It might not be unexpected, but that doesn't mean it's not news. Otherwise the papers would have stopped running 'Amy Winehouse relapse' stories months ago.
Not that I'm comparing N-Gage to Amy, obv ;o)
But yes, I think this is very relevant in the context of last week's hoo-ha over N-Gage games having to be rebought if you upgrade your phone - allegedly because of the strict DRM.
Joined:
Apr 2007
Post count:
244
Oh well, at least people will be playing N-gage games now....
Meeeeooww!
Joined:
Nov 2006
Post count:
572
This is serious news as it could mean a premature end to the platform if the hack app becomes widespread. N-Gage would no longer be viable. A lot of those viewing that thread are probably the same people who look at the n-gage arena threads, so that's potentially legit customers taking the dark route.
Joined:
Oct 2007
Post count:
154
Well mobile phone games often get pirated ... the question is how many copys does an N-gage game has to sell to make a profit . If its under 50k , than hackers will not mean a real issue , if not , than who knows ... this might be a small issue , and it may be used by only a couple users , but it could also take the PSP FW way ...
