N-Gage users N-Raged by Nokia handset lock-in
by Thomas Ricker 
posted May 22nd 2008 at 6:06AM
N-Raged... see what we did there? Sigh. Anyway, Nokia's strategy of handset lock-in has its N-Gage subscribers in a fit. Seems somebody didn't read the EULA and now is upset that they must re-purchase N-Gage titles when they switch Nokia handsets. The terms and conditions do state that, "Content shall be... limited to one private installation on one N-Gage compatible Nokia device only." Forever. Come on Nokia, we're all for reading, but purchased games should at least be transferrable to newly purchased, substitute Nokia devices. After all, that's what you claim for music downloaded from your forthcoming Comes with Music service. Don't turn N-Gage v2 into another sidetalkin' fiasco.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Jim Hughes @ May 22nd 2008 7:14AM
There's a lot more detail on All About N-Gage about this story - they're the ones that broke it, the BBC's story is just a summary.
Incidentally, the EULA says "Content shall be... limited to one private installation on one N-Gage compatible Nokia device only", I can't see anything saying "forever", so it doesn't appear to preclude transfer.
http://www.allaboutngage.com/features/item/Nokia_When_you_upgrade_to_a_new_phone_you_will_lose_all_your_N-Gage_games.php
James @ May 22nd 2008 9:31AM
For regular cell phones, it's pretty much the same thing. When you buy a game on Phone A, Phone B most likely won't be compatible with the version of the game optimized for Phone A.
--James
lol @ May 22nd 2008 12:10PM
You have a point, except that none of these other phones are using their brand as a gaming platform. N-gage is.
While it would make sense to have to repurchase the same game for a different platform (say, having to buy GTAIV again for PS3 if you already own it for 360) this is a universal platform—just in multiple handsets. So if I get the same platform in a different shell, I should not have to repurchase. Using the console analogy again, that would be like repurchasing my PS2 library if I switch from the large one to a slimline.
A transfer probably isn't totally ruled out, but I wouldn't be surprised if Nokia charged a microtransaction for the transfers.
Anthony @ May 22nd 2008 11:22AM
Now both people that have bought an N-Gage game will be disappointed.
foaf @ May 22nd 2008 11:31AM
@James - True, but it's in Nokia's interest to build a relationship with the customer, so that they repeatedly buy a Nokia device when they updrade.
Al @ May 22nd 2008 12:39PM
I kinda knew something like this would happen. I never bought games for my N95 because I was planning on getting the N82 black whenever Amazon gets it in stock.