March 25, 2004 -During an awards ceremony at the San Jose Museum of Art, Nokia announced the winner of the ConnectCoder N-Gage Game Battle - Countdown from Game Design Systems. In Countdown, you are the Secretary-General of the United Nations. Your goal: preserve Earth from destruction with meager resources such as diplomats, scientists, engineers and cash. More importantly, players must recruit the right leaders and assign them to the right missions, in order to overcome unforeseen obstacles.
"We selected Countdown as the ConnectCoder winner due to the unique way the Game Design Systems team was able to integrate a well developed storyline with unique mobile connected gameplay," said Kirsi Kotilainen, Head of Developer Relations, Games Business Unit, Nokia. "We were thrilled to see that many of the contest applications broke out of the traditional mode of game development and created some innovative new game ideas that were made possible by the advanced mobile features of the N-Gage platform."
The ConnectCoder N-Gage Game Battle provided an opportunity for game developers to build original games that created a connected gaming experience, where mobility is a central part of the game. Other key criteria in the selection process included high-quality graphics, exciting characters, engaging storylines and interactive gameplay that highlight the social aspects of mobile gaming.
Game Design Systems won the first prize of 15,000 euros with the second prize of 10,000 euros going to InstantCom, Ltd. for Undercover Agents and the third prize of 5,000 euros going to Sixela Producations for Rainbow Jek. Each of the teams presented their ideas to the Nokia N-Gage Game Publishing management team after being flown to this year's Game Developer Conference in San Jose, California.
Game developers interested in creating innovative games that take advantage of the full mobile and online features of the N-Gage platform can visit www.n-gage.com/developers.
About N-Gage
The N-Gage game deck is an innovative mobile device that is creating an entirely new market for the games industry. Built for active and hardcore gamers, the N-Gage platform is the first mobile and connected game deck to feature online high-quality 3D multiplayer gameplay over Bluetooth wireless technology and GPRS. The N-Gage device also offers unique online games services as well as a comprehensive and growing games catalogue from the leading game publishers. Nokia is the world leader in mobile communications. Nokia and N-Gage are trademarks or registered trademarks of Nokia Corporation.
Media Enquiries:
Nokia Corporation
Multimedia
Communications
Tel: +358 7180 45667
E-mail: press.office@nokia.com
Americas Press Desk
Tel: +1 972 894 4573
E-mail: n-gage.media@nokia.com
Nokia Communications, Asia Pacific
Tel: +65 6723 2323
E-mail: communications.apac@nokia.com
www.n-gage.com/press
www.nokia.com