INTERVIEW: NOKIA LIFTS THE LID ON N-GAGE QD
Nokia's head of games Illka Raiskinen, discusses his company's sleek new handheld
15:18 Entering the cut-throat world of handheld gaming was a bold move on Nokia's part, but the original N-Gage game deck didn't exactly set the world on fire and was probably rightly criticised for its cumbersome design and limited gaming potential.
But the Finnish phone giant isn't one to quit easily, and following last Friday's European launch of revised, shiny new (and vastly improved) model the N-Gage QD, Nokia is hoping to re-launch itself as a credible competitor. We managed to collar Nokia's head of games, Illka Raiskinen, to hear his thoughts on how the QD will fight its way to success.
Interview by John Houlihan
Going back to the original N-Gage - the criticisms of the original game deck are a matter of record, but what lessons did you learn as a company from the experience?
Raiskinen: We learned how important it was to listen to feedback from the market and to be able to react swiftly. Having six months of selling on the market gave us an opportunity to take a step back and listen to what people had to say about he N-Gage.
How does the QD address the criticisms of the original machine?
Raiskinen: We've made the N-Gage QD more ergonomically designed for gaming with a hot swappable MMC slot, longer battery life, a brighter screen and of course classic talking. We've also refined the gaming controls (for example separating the 'OK' key and rocker) as well as improving feedback from the keypad.
What new design features will make the QD successful?
Raiskinen: We think that it's more than just design features, although having a smaller, pocketable shape is great. It's more about the games that people can play with the N-Gage game deck. We've got some great titles out now, like The Sims and Ashen, and we're working hard to get new ones out on a regular basis.
Will dropping the MP3 and radio functions focus the QD as a real games machine? Why did you decide to drop tri-band?
Raiskinen: The feedback we had was that tri-band was not one of the top features that gamers were requesting, so we were able to focus on making N-Gage QD more optimised for games. Even though there isn't MP3 hardware support, there are software applications you can download to your N-Gage QD to be able to listen to MP3s.
How was the QD received at E3? What kind of feedback did you get?
Raiskinen: People enjoyed playing with the new game deck at E3. We had a lot of the new game decks on the floor, together with some of our latest game titles. The response from the public, press and retail has been very positive - people like the design and the feel of N-Gage QD.
What kind of games will help secure the QD's future? What will be the QD's killer app?
Raiskinen: Games which can take full advantage of the connectivity options that the N-Gage platform provides. We really see that the "killer app" for N-Gage will be those games - like Pathway to Glory or Pocket Kingdom - that give gamers a chance to experience something new and fresh. Not to mention the chance to connect and compete with gamers all around the world!
How many games do you hope to have available as the QD launches?
Raiskinen: Right now, we've got almost 20 titles on the market and we're aiming to have over 50 available by the end of the year.
What aer your thoughts on the price point of the new game deck?
Raiskinen: Well, when the N-Gage was first on the market last year, we saw a huge spread of prices ranging from 1 to 299 Euros. And we expect to see a similar variety of prices for the N-Gage QD - it all depends on how much network operators decide to subsidize. We've seen initial N-Gage QD prices as low as 49.99 Euros in some markets, but the top retail price without taxes or subsidies will be around 199 Euros.
Will it be strange selling the QD alongside the regular N-Gage?
Raiskinen: Perhaps in some markets, but ultimately consumers will decide how long both devices will sold simultaneously.
Recently we've seen a number of big name announcements like The Sims and Tom Clancy's Splinter Cell - do you see it as a sign that the industry is now getting behind N-Gage? What further third-party support do you expect?
Raiskinen: We're really pleased to have such big name support for the N-gage - it's a sign to us that game developers and publishers are really starting to get inspired by the possibilities that the N-Gage platform can offer. We announced Atari and Capcom at E3 this year and you can expect to see additional announcements in the coming months.
Tell us a little about your plans for N-Gage Arena? How important is multiplayer to the future of N-Gage?
Raiskinen: Multiplayer gaming is one of the fundamental features of the N-Gage! We really see that N-Gage Arena and N-Gage Arena-enabled games are going to be what captures gamers' imaginations and will get them excited to play against their mates in other parts of the country or the world. We also see that multiplayer gaming over Bluetooth is taking off, so that you can also play against your friends in the pub.
With Nintendo owning the handheld market right now and Sony also set to make a strong entry with the PSP, why should gamers invest in the QD?
Raiskinen: Because they can go out right now and buy a fantastic pocketable game deck that is always with you and it has a great portfolio of multiplayer games. Not to mention the fact that the N-Gage QD is also a powerful communications device.
How do you see the handheld market developing in the next two to three years?
Raiskinen: It's going to be a great couple of years! Consumers will have more choice in terms of devices and games. There's going to be a lot of interesting developments which show that mobility is a fundamental revolution in the gaming space.
John Houlihan
