N-Gage News Network

The new version of the classic game features original content that can only be found on the mobile platform. Metal Gear Solid Mobile includes 3D art displays, and detailed in-game graphics is claimed to capture the atmosphere of the Metal Gear Solid series and create a depth that draws the player into the game. The tactical espionage action game is developed in conjunction with IdeaWorks3D and utilizing its Airplay 3.5 SDK.

An in-game camouflage system utilizes color samples from the scenery of the real world captured by the handset's camera. Moreover, additional controls are introduced that are made especially for mobile devices.

Taking place between the events of MGS and MGS2, Metal Gear Solid Mobile follows Solid Snake and Otacon as they attempt to halt the development of yet another Metal Gear.

Commenting on the deal, series creator Hideo Kojima said, "I believe that this cooperation between Nokia and Konami will form the perfect match to share the vast potential of mobile entertainment content with users all around the world."

The game is expected to be availabe for download this June!

IGN's screenshot gallery has been updated with MGS Mobile content. Click here to check it out !

Posted by phalnax at 03:55 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Here you have it, a response directly from Nokia about transfering games from one N-Gage compatible device to another.

 We have noticed a number of media stories about N-Gage game transfers and wanted to clarify the issue. Due to copy protection, N-Gage games, like most mobile games, are linked to one device. As the value of content increases, a robust copy protection mechanism is essential as it makes it possible for the games industry to invest in N-Gage content.

We acknowledge our customers’ concerns and have been working on a solution that would allow people to transfer purchased N-Gage games to a new Nokia device. We are working with our Nokia Care Centers with an intermediate solution to enable the licensed transfers of games until a final solution is ready to be deployed.

We apologize for the confusion around this issue and look forward to delivering an appropriate solution to transfer purchased N-Gage games to new Nokia devices.

 It seems like they have their act together this time around. Not really doing this before problems arise but at least they respond fairly quickly to any problems.

Good job Nokia!
 

Posted by phalnax at 08:02 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Another interview from the pre-launch days regarding System Rush Evolution with the amazing team at Ideaworks 3D.

 System Rush Evolution and Ideaworks have a lot to live up to with the
legacy of the last game and high expectations from gamers around the
world. Could you tell us a little about how it was implementing the
online functionality in this game and whether or not Nokia really has
made a developer-friendly software platform this time around.

We felt it was important to get involved in the N-Gage online community
as early as possible which is why offering players head-to-head
gameplay is a major feature of System Rush Evolution.

Being in from the start has given us unique experience of the pitfalls
to avoid next time round. The issues we have encountered include how
best to deal with slow GPRS networks, minimising data transfer, and how
to give the player a graceful user experience in any event including of
loss of network signal etc.

One particular issue that slowed development was not necessarily a
fault with NGI, but more a feature of multiplayer development, is getting a
build onto two devices or running in two instances of the emulator to
be able to test code changes. However, once a game is up-and-running, Arena provides a reliable communication layer.


Whilst developing System Rush's multiplayer aspects we have been given
the opportunity to give our opinion on what features we would like to
see in future from N-Gage Arena. Other features we are looking forward
to in the future are the launching directly into a multiplayer game
from sending a challenge from the N-Gage App and simpler integration with
community features such as tournaments.


As with any new platforms that support online gaming there have been
some teething issues working with N-Gage Arena however we have received
full support from Nokia for all our efforts during the development of
SRE.

Barring the usual development dilemmas, N-Gage now presents an
interesting and thought provoking future for developers and gamers
alike.

 Any other comments you would like to add?

We are looking forward to some beers from Nokia for all our efforts!
 

Posted by phalnax at 07:54 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

NNN: The original System Rush game had phenomenal graphics and gameplay
accompanied by a great soundtrack. What was lacking however, perhaps
due to limitations of the last-gen N-Gage Arena software was a strong
multiplayer component. System Rush Evolution is set to have head to
head multiplayer modes which have got the entire mobile gaming community
talking.

Please tell us a little more about the multiplayer component of the
game.

GT: The multiplayer component in System Rush: Evolution is a result of
the Developer exercising their creative juices in designing a true
realtime Head-to-head online feature that could be possible using the
GPRS networks. With not everyone having the luxury of being on 3G
networks, we had to design a head-to-head mode that did not require a
substantial amount of data to be sent back and forth between the 2
users and the server. 

Additionally, we had to factor in a 1-2 second lag in
sending and receiving data over GPRS.  All these factors made the task
quite a challenge for Ideaworks3D, but they stepped up and delivered a
truly unique design that allowed for realtime head-to-head action over
the GPRS Networks.  The design was quite simple, each user races along
their own track that is littered with powerups; obtaining and activating
a powerup will usually affect your opponent negatively. 

For example one user will rip down a straight-away, pick up and activate a powerup
that reverses the controls of the other user for a few seconds.  This
will cause the recipient of this present to usually hit obstacles due
to the reversed game controls, thereby losing speed and potentially the
race.  There are many different powerups throughout the 3 Head-to-head
modes that keep the challenge fresh and competitive.

What type of connection would be required to play head to head? Weassume it'll have to be faster than standard gprs.

GT: Standard GPRS.

For people without unlimited data plans, has anything been done tominimize the amount it would cost that is to minimize the amount of datatransferred?

GT: Keeping the packet sizes small so that the users did not accrue
large Data charges was a huge concern.  Ideaworks3D managed to keep
each Head-to-head race under 10kb for a 2min game session

Finally could you tell us what your favorite part of the multiplayer component of System Rush Evolution is?

GT: My favorite part of System Rush's multiplayer feature is the
Head-to-head Infiltrate mode (there are 3 modes in total: Infiltrate,
Shutdown and Evacuate).  This mode is all about maintaining your
momentum, but trying your hardest to slow your opponent down by using
as many of the pickups littered around the track as possible.  It is a
face-off on who knows the track the best vs. who has the best reflexes;
I love it! 

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