Nokia today announced the ConnectCoder, N-Gage Mobile Game Deck Game Battle 2003, a competition for game developers across Europe, the United States and Canada to find the hottest game ideas that take advantage of the mobile online functionality of the Nokia N-Gage game deck. Helping to unleash the creative and innovative
spirit of the game community, the competition runs until January 31, 2004.
The winning ideas will be those that develop original games that create a connected gaming experience, where mobility is a central part of the game. Other key criteria include high-quality graphics, exciting characters, engaging storylines and interactive gameplay
that highlight the social aspects of mobile gaming. The Nokia N-Gage Publishing Team will judge entries and winners will be notified in early 2004 by email.
In addition to 30,000 euros to be divided between the top three entries, the winners will be invited to the Game Developers Conference 2004 and to present their winning ideas to the Nokia N-Gage Publishing management team.
For more information on the competition, including an application form and contest rules, please visit Forum Nokia.
> ConnectCoder : a competition for N-Gage game developers
Be aware that (in the European rules, at any rate) all intellectual property rights in competition entries pass to Nokia. This is definitely the case with the winning entries, and (though it's not 100% clear) apparently the case with all other entries too.
In other words, if Nokia like the idea, they can develop it further without doing a deal with you. Not a very likely scenario, but what's more troublesome is that you *can't* take the idea elsewhere or develop it further yourself, even if Nokia don't want to take things further. A pity that they have to take such a developer-hostile approach. (Contrast with 3's rules for their A920 contest, where developers keep all IP rights.)
> ConnectCoder : a competition for N-Gage game developers
> ConnectCoder : a competition for N-Gage game developers
According to the rules:
"Once the concept advances to the next stage and there is a contract, the Nokia N-Gage specific tools and team of engineers and producers will be made available to you to hit the milestones."