@ CTIA: Nokia Quietly Launches N-Gage; Details From the Show Floor

After months of anticipation on when Nokia (NYSE: NOK) would launch its gaming platform called N-Gage, the world's largest handset maker did it quietly this morning when it let the Web site go live worldwide. Nokia spokeswoman Camilla Pagliaroli said from CTIA that, the formal announcement will go out on Monday, but it is already selling six games for five handsets as of today. The Monday release may include the launch of more games, and details on other handsets that will be supported in the future.

Game developers are hopeful that N-Gage will lead to a second stage of higher-quality gaming that will drive sales, and it's a big part of Nokia's push at becoming a content company (The WSJ reported details on the market opportunity?Gartner expects revenues to hit $9.6 billion by 2011). The platform supports 3D graphics, and will eventually span many devices. Originally, Nokia's N-Gage was a specific gaming device, now it's a platform that can run on many devices. Pagliaroli said the platform is designed to push developer's imaginations. She said when developers should incorporate community features, where players can play another person from across the world, or use the phone's camera or other high-end features. In a kick-boxing game called The One, the graphics are console-like quality, another neat feature is that messages can appear overlaid on the screen as they arrive.

N-Gage can either be downloaded online and sideloaded to the phone, or bought on the handset. Users are able to try the games before they buy. They range from $7 and $13, and there are different prices for whether they want them for a week, a month or longer. On the Web site today, Gameloft's (EPA: GFT) Asphalt 3: Street Rules, was available, and there was one player, and two reviews already posted. One simply said: "I love it."

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