Mobile handset maker Nokia is closing the door on N-Gage in 2010, including shutting down the online service it launched last year for the mobile phone and gaming device. As reported by Reuters, in making the move, Nokia is acknowledging that its effort in mobile games never moved beyond a niche market.
Nokia launched the original N-Gage in 2003 as part of a strategy to diversify its product line as the mobile phone market was reaching saturation point. Reuters cites how Nokia’s position at the time among top mobile phone makers attracted exclusive N-Gage content from major game makers such as EA and Glu Mobile. Last year, Nokia launched an online store and community site serving N-Gage owners, citing continued strategy to expand its business into music and games. The company says that with no new games planned for N-Gage, the online N-Gage service will also be phased out by next year. Read more from Reuters.
