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EA and Nokia hook up for mobile games

by: Chuck - posted: 9/13/2006 12:39:00 AM
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Nokia announced today that it is partnering with EA to develop games for it's upcoming Nokia Content center.  EA will be providing games like Tetris, Tetris Mania, The Sims 2, Doom, and Tiger Woods PGA Tour for upcoming Nokia devices as well as a host of next generation cell phone games when Nokia launches it's new S60 phone in Mid 2007.

It's interesting to see Nokia go with an outside developer after the significant non-success that the N-Gage line of phones.  It looks like they are going to allow consumers to download the games rather than distributing them over a physical medium which should help get the game in the hands of consumers.  One of the big reasons the N-Gage panned out was the lack of quality games (people forget that the N-Gage QD was actually a fairly decent device).  I also have to wonder if EA will be leveraging all of the content they obtained when they purchased Jamdat a few years back.  I guess the only real question is when will the umpteenth version of Zuma come out for the new device.

NOKIA AND EA TEAM UP TO ADVANCE MOBILE GAMING WORLDWIDE

 

EA to bring mobile titles to current and next generation Nokia devices

 

Redwood City, CA – 12 September 2006 – Nokia, the world leader in mobile communications, and Electronic Arts (NASDAQ: ERTS), the world’s leading interactive entertainment software company, today announced a collaboration that will see EA become a major supplier of mobile games to millions of Nokia mobile device owners through Nokia Content Discoverer. This solution allows mobile customers easy access to downloadable content through a collection of shopping mall "stores" on their mobile device. Initially, customers will be able to download seven EA titles, Tetris®, Tetris® Mania, The Sims™2, Doom®, FIFA 06, Tiger Woods PGA TOUR® 06 and FIFA Street 2 this holiday season.  Starting in mid-2007, EA intends also to support the launch of the Nokia next generation mobile games platform with top EA titles that will be custom-designed for Nokia S60 devices.

 

In an effort to advance the content delivery model and overall player experience, Nokia and EA will work together to craft a superior mobile gaming experience for consumers worldwide. Nokia device owners can look forward to improved game quality, outstanding performance and intuitive delivery.   

 

“Nokia shares our vision of making it easy for people around the world to find and play the best quality games on their mobile phones. We are looking forward to working more closely with Nokia on promoting a delivery system that propels mobile gaming forward,” said Mitch Lasky, senior vice president, EA.  “This relationship will bring together EA's great brands and development studios with Nokia's innovative hardware and global consumer reach.”

 

“The core of Nokia’s games strategy is to make it easy for people to find, buy and play great quality mobile games and we’re excited to expand our relationship with EA to help make that possible,” said Jaakko Kaidesoja, director, games, Multimedia, Nokia. “Nokia and EA have a common vision regarding the opportunities in mobile games and how to turn them into a reality.  When you combine Nokia’s leadership in hardware, usabiliy and software platforms with EA’s brands and quality thresholds, the results will speak for themselves.”

 

Launching the first half 2007, Nokia’s next generation mobile gaming plaftform makes it easy for people to find, buy, play and share rich and immersive games on a range of Nokia smartphones.  EA intends to deliver a range of popular EA SPORTS™ and EA™ branded mobile titles at the launch of this next generation mobile gaming initiative.

 

About Electronic Arts 

Electronic Arts Inc. (EA), headquartered in Redwood City, California, is the world's leading interactive entertainment software company. Founded in 1982, the company develops, publishes, and distributes interactive software worldwide for videogame systems, personal computers and the Internet. Electronic Arts markets its products under four brand names: EA SPORTSTM, EATM, EA SPORTS BIGTM and POGOTM. In fiscal 2006, EA posted revenue of $2.95 billion and had 27 titles that sold more than one million copies. EA's homepage and online game site is www.ea.com. More information about EA's products and full text of press releases can be found on the Internet at http://info.ea.com.

 

Electronic Arts, EA, EA SPORTS, EA SPORTS BIG, POGO and the Sims are trademarks or registered trademarks of Electronic Arts Inc. in the U.S. and/or other countries. Official FIFA licensed product.  The FIFA Logo © 1977 FIFA TM. The mark "TIGERWOODS" and the TW Logo are trademarks of ETW Corp. and may not be used, in whole or in part, without the prior written consent of ETW Corp. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners.

 

About Nokia

Nokia is a world leader in mobile communications, driving the growth and sustainability of the broader mobility industry. Nokia connects people to each other and the information that matters to them with easy-to-use and innovative products like mobile phones, devices and solutions for imaging, games, media and businesses. Nokia provides equipment, solutions and services for network operators and corporations. www.nokia.com