N-Gage redesigned into new impending failure

[Dark Jaguar]

http://www.gamespot.com/news/2004/04/13/...93447.html

Well, most likely anyway. They dropped the price (if you are willing to sign some contract with them for phone service), and fixed most of the design flaws (taking out a few of those features it advertised so much to start with).

However, the biggest flaw doesn't seem to have been addressed at all. There's still not a single good exclusive game for the thing, or even an exclusive game period as far as I know. Unless they can fix THAT problem, there's still no reason whatsoever I would ever want this thing.

[alien space marine]

It doesnt do well as a Phone either.

[OB1]

What, you don't like side-talkin'? :D

[Great Rumbler]

It's like talking into a taco! Who wouldn't want to do that?!

[OB1]

I sure wouldn't not want to!

[Great Rumbler]

You know it!

[OB1]

No I don't... not. Not not not not. Reverse not.

[A Black Falcon]

The speakers are on the front now... no more side talking. :(

Oh, and they removed the MP3 and FM Radio features, it says...

[Great Rumbler]

The speakers are on the front now... no more side talking.

NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!

[A Black Falcon]

You didn't read the article, did you...

[Great Rumbler]

No.

[A Black Falcon]

Well do.

[Great Rumbler]

Why? I don't want the N-Gage.

[lazyfatbum]

No one does, hence the whole failure-as-a-portable-gaming-platform-thing.

[alien space marine]

Nokia should save themselves their money and leave.

[A Black Falcon]

You want a N-Gage now, right? It's been so successful that the price has gotten cheaper! Now, instead of being $100 if you also get a 2-year service contract, it's ALWAYS $100! And in a further sign of success, game prices are now $15-$25, down $10!

As for sales, they've been revealed. It's managed 1.3 million (hardware) sales total...

http://ngage.ign.com/articles/583/583188p1.html

[OB1]

That's not that terrible, actually. Considering how crappy it is.

[A Black Falcon]

Yeah... they obviously got some people looking for cell phones to buy the thing with some pitch about 'it plays games too!'...

[Great Rumbler]

That $100 price tag with the two year subscription is mighty tempting...

[A Black Falcon]

http://www.gamespot.com/news/2005/03/15/...20491.html

Nokia is apparently hoping the luck of the Irish will rub off on the poorly selling N-Gage QD. The mobile-communications monolith announced yesterday that as of March 17, St. Patrick's Day, retail outlets will be selling its cell phone/game deck hybrid for just $99. Currently listed at $199, the QD was previously available for $99 only with the purchase of a one-year service contract from select carriers.

"Having the N-Gage QD available in the US market at $99.99 as a prepaid wireless alternative provides a very simple 'cash and carry' solution and is also a very attractive consumer price," said Andrew Elliott, senior manager of the American division of Nokia's Games and Channel Business Development division.

To further entice gamers to try the less-than-spectacularly selling QD, Nokia also announced that it is cutting the prices of N-Gage games. As of today, the previous standard price of $34.99 for N-Gage games will be lowered to a variable price range of $14.99 to $24.99, depending on the game. Nokia's announcement also said that the forthcoming Splinter Cell Chaos Theory will be "the first new N-Gage game to launch with the adjusted pricing levels."

[Dark Jaguar]

The whole "it also plays games" angle isn't too bad... Now cut it down to the point of being nearly free with a subscription. Who knows? I might actually GET one if they did that. In some world where I gave a darnit beejeezers, does this thing play all other cell phone games? Like, Final Fantasy VII: Advent Crisis thingy?

Eh, as it is, I have no need for a selfone, er, sell phone.... cell...

[OB1]