GDC: Nokia Reveals N-Gage 2.0 Details & Additional Publisher Support

Nokia has began detailing the framework that is to support the relaunch of the N-Gage gaming platform this week at the Game Developer's Conference in San Francisco. The company has announced initial support for games and other content for the new N-Gage 2.0 platform from Glu Mobile, Indiagames, and THQ Wireless.

It wasn't specified what other content Nokia has in the works outside of games.

Some of the recently announced titles for the N-Gage 2.0 include Gameloft's Asphalt 3, Street Rules, Brothers In Arms, Hell's Highway, Brain Challenge, Midnight Pool, EA Mobile's FIFA 2008 and as was previously reported, Glu Mobile's first release for the platform, World Series of Poker Texas Hold'em.

A series of updated software tools and a new testing program for SNAP Mobile's JavaTM platform were also introduced. The software development kit, dubbed the N-Gage Zone, provides the tools, documentation, and support to allow developers the opportunity to create socially connected games across a range of Nokia devices.

"The availability of the N-Gage SDK 1.0 today is the corner stone of Nokia's new development eco-system for developers to create connected mobile games in a familiar C++ environment," Mark Ollila, Director of Technology & Strategy and Nokia Games Publishing, Nokia said in a statement.

SNAP Mobile's JavaTM will offer players participating in social gameplay on the N-Gage to enjoy "a consistent gaming experience," as delivered by the SNAP Mobile Compliance Testing Program. Nokia is hoping the process will lower the barrier of entry into mobile games development, and increase the number of high quality releases on their platform.

Modojo Biz will have a full report on Nokia's N-Gage GDC presentations later this week.

(GDC Coverage sponsored by Vivendi Games Mobile)