With Nokia’s N-gage platform recently being reborn into something that might possibly be enjoyable, Nokia are looking to entice developers to create games for the platform by offering up 70,000 Euro (or $118,750 in Aussie dollars) in prize money, plus publishing contracts.
The Mobile Games Innovation Challenge is open to developers worldwide from all levels. The three best concepts will take home the prizemoney in a 40k/20k/10k split.
If it means that mobile phone gaming gets better than tetris or solitaire, then it’s a fantastic move. Shame it’s only for N-gage devices though. Full press release below.
Nokia Mobile Games Innovation Challenge dares developers to ‘rock’ mobile games world
April 09, 2008
Three most innovative concepts offered Nokia Publishing pre-production contracts and cash prizesEspoo,
Finland – Nokia today launched the worldwide Mobile Games Innovation
Challenge, a unique global competition with 70,000 in prizes, designed
to encourage development of innovative game concepts with the power to
positively disrupt the global mobile gaming industry and to help propel
mobile gaming with handheld devices into a new and exciting future.The
first competition of its kind to encourage unique concepts in mobile
gaming from developers of all backgrounds and all levels, the Mobile
Games Innovation Challenge seeks the best in groundbreaking ideas and
game concepts from the brightest and most creative minds in mobile
gaming today.Sponsored
by Nokia Publishing, the Mobile Games Innovation Challenge invites
developers to submit mobile gaming concepts to help drive mobile gaming
to the next level, relying on the advanced features and functionalities
of N-Gage compatible devices, and Java- or Symbian-based Series 40 or
S60 devices from Nokia.The
three most innovative game concepts will be offered Nokia Publishing
pre-production contracts, targeting publication of their winning
concept on the corresponding Nokia device platform. In addition, the
first winner will be awarded 40,000, the second 20,000, and the third
10,000 to enable the participant to further develop the concept.“Nokia
enthusiastically presents this Mobile Games Innovation Challenge as a
unique opportunity for the best and brightest mobile game developers
worldwide to really rock the industry with innovative, one-of-a-kind
concepts that showcase what you can do with our mobile platforms,” said
Dr Mark Ollila, director of games publishing, Nokia. “The
pre-production contracts and 70,000 in cash prizes toward development
of the winning game concepts is only part of the excitement – the
Challenge also gives developers a chance to truly make their mark on
global mobile gaming through unique and positively disruptive gaming
concepts never seen before.”Beginning
immediately, developers wishing to compete for the Mobile Games
Innovation Challenge can submit their game concepts online at http://developer.n-gage.com/innovation.
Contestants are encouraged to enter more than one mobile gaming
concept, with the winners to be selected by an external panel of mobile
gaming industry experts on the criteria of innovation, fun, feasibility
of execution, and market potential.Gaming
concept submissions will continue through August 20, 2008. The winners
will be chosen by the external panel of judges and announced during a
special award ceremony at the Nokia Games Summit in Rome, Italy,
October 29-30, 2008.Deadline
for submission of all applications is August 20, 2008 at 11:59 p.m.
GMT. Further information on the registration process, including
description of entries and eligibility requirements are available at http://developer.n-gage.com/innovation.