Nokia Corp. purchased multiplayer gaming technology from Sega Corp. and will use it to offer multiplayer functions to its upcoming N-Gage mobile-phone/video-game device. Terms of the deal were not disclosed.
Further, Nokia said it will launch a Web site dedicated to the N-Gage that will feature information about N-Gage games and allow players from across the globe to communicate. The Web site, dubbed N-Gage Arena, will launch Oct. 7, along with the device.
“Mobile online elements form a key strategy in the Nokia N-Gage total games experience. The N-Gage Arena will be the place where gamers meet and create virtual communities, share their experiences, find new challenges and make friends with players all over the world,” said Ilkka Raiskinen, Nokia’s senior vice president and the Chief N-Gager. “For the first time, a gamer sitting in a park in London can find another player and ‘shadow race’ against a player in Los Angeles or even Singapore, who has posted a shadow image of his game character in the N-Gage Arena. The London gamer can in turn post a clip of the game on the site, showing his victory and simultaneously challenge the rest of the game community. We are incredibly thrilled by the versatility of opportunities by this virtual games arena.”
Under Nokia’s deal with Sega Corp., the company will acquire the Sega Network Application Package (SNAP) from Sega.com. Nokia said it will use the multiplayer gaming technology to foster content creation, generate additional revenue streams and give games developers a flexible and tested online games platform.
Multiplayer games have generated a significant amount of interest in the wireless arena. Gaming company Jamdat Mobile Inc. last year acquired the multiplayer technology assets of DemiVision L.L.C. Content company Mobliss recently launched several turn-based multiplayer games.
