Nokia N-Gage gaming comes to all Series 60 handsets

New service is software based rather than hardware

29 August 2007 11:03 GMT / By Stuart Miles

Nokia has today unveiled a new brand for its internet services as it moves to focus on more than just handsets.

The brand called "ovi" will according to Nokia be a "One-stop destination for communities, content, context and more."

The idea behind the umbrella brand will be to link brands like YouTube, its music download store, Flikr, Twango, Nokia maps, city guides, and N-Gage games.

Meaning Door in Finnish, Nokia says that it will over the next 12 month announce a series of developments to expand the initial offering.

Bringing back the N-Gage brand name, Nokia has announced that it will offer consumers new types of games via the internet.

Citing previous gaming titles such as Snake and the n-gage phone console, Nokia has said that it is in the right position to be able to offer the new service to its users.

The announcement comes following the news yesterday that the company was teaming up with Vivendi Games Mobile, a division of Vivendi Games, to bring Crash Bandicoot to the new N-Gage mobile gaming platform.

The service will be available on all series 60 devices new and old, as Nokia hopes to maximise the reach of the new offering.

"We hope to be the largest mobile gaming platfom" said a Nokia spokesperson.

Users will be able to try, buy and share titles with other gamers. Those worried about downloading games to their phone will be able to access games and communities relating to them via the N-Gage website.

Games will vary in price form 6 to 10 Euros and you will also be able to rent titles as well.