Nokia Windows Phones to get exclusive EA games

October 29, 2011 | By Surur

Nokia has announced that EA will be bringing big-name titles exclusively to Nokia’s Windows Phones.

EA is going to bring 20 of the world’s best games to Windows Phone for Nokia. “This time, we’ll be designing our games for an awe-inspiring experience on Windows Phone for Nokia,” Barry Cottle, Executive Vice President and GM for EA Interactive, said, noting that they plan to publish 10 games from EA as well as games from Chillingo, their indie publishing arm. There will also be seven games from the Hasbro line-up for Nokia users worldwide.

From the slides above (from PCMag) games will include FIFA 12, Madden 12, NBA Jam, Tiger Woods PGA Tour, and third-person shooter Dead Space and PopCap games such as Bejeweled 2. Hasbro games will include Risk and Game of Life.

It is not known whether the games will eventually come to other Windows Phone 7 handsets or not.

Via LiveSide.net

About Surur

Site Admin and Windows Phone enthusiast, he has been using Windows Mobile devices since before they were called PocketPC’s. He is currently sporting a HTC 7 Trophy.

Tagged ea, games, nokia, windows phone 7.5

http://pulse.yahoo.com/_KTAHVKS2RNDWTQPHQEJALLRNEQ Adam Paris

To be honest, i dont care about other brands. Nokia seems the only company serious about Windows Phone.

http://pulse.yahoo.com/_5ZUD73FFTF3JFLR64AD62R7Q6I Eric

So why Nokia did not propose a high end phone with decent and modern specifications?

I would agree with you if they had proposed one device with 4′ screen and 32Gb.

Not even FFC when they are supposed to know that Skype and Tango video calling will come. This is not serious at all. I don’t care about EA games.

http://pulse.yahoo.com/_KTAHVKS2RNDWTQPHQEJALLRNEQ Adam Paris

Specs dont say anything about dedication. Look at what Samsung does. They only released two smartphones since last year. Nokia released two smartphones in just 8 months.

Samsung and HTC are not serious about Windows Phone, so for me they can just stay with Android. Loot at their designs, nothing but reused designs.
http://www.facebook.com/Luffy07 Sergio Gonzalez

Again with this spec talk. What were you expecting? Dual core? 1GO of ram? WP7 don’t support and don’t need these specs, so why should nokia use them. To make the phone more expensive? And the FFC isn’t a deal breaker for a vast majority of people who would, no matter what, never use it. Most people just buy a phone because it’s cheap (Android got popular because of their low and mid end devices) or beautiful (people who buy iPhones don’t care about specs but about beauty), not everybody is prepared to throw more than 500€/$ for a phone… Nokia put the best they could into this phone, but their phones are still considered as mid end, while the iPhone with the same specs is considered high-end. This ain’t Android, specs don’t matter for WP7 (or iOS). See what happened with the iPhone 4S, they put dual-core and now the battery don’t even last a day…

http://twitter.com/tiamat1990 Edric Pascual

That’s rather ignorant. Yes the specs do not matter when it comes to the system software (i.e. Mango) but it DOES matter when it comes to GAMES.

http://www.facebook.com/Luffy07 Sergio Gonzalez

always the insults… well since all the games are written to work on 1Ghz snapdragons and are limited in ram they can use, there is still no problem… Even infinity blade (unreal engine 3) works on a 2 year old ipod touch…

Anonymous

@Eric…Really, given that typically time to market for a device is 12-18 months, that Nokia was able to modify an existing shell to accomodate the capacitive buttons (in the area where the ffc was on the N9) and add a dedicated camera key, is impressive enough. The Nokia/Microsoft deal wasn’t even finalized and approved until April 2011!

Yes, ffc is good to have even though many people won’t even use it, but that Nokia was able to even get not only one, but two devices out in the timeframe that they had is still good (especially given that Nokia historically, has taken even longer to get products out for their Symbian devices).

In addition, Nokia has classifications for their devices – 700 and 800 series devices are considered low/mid tier; 900 series devices will be for flagship devices only.

These are only 2 phones! Nokia is not stopping here; there will many devices to come, and Jo Harlow of Nokia indicated that new Nokia WP devices will be released every 3-4 months. There is more to come, and I’d wager that the U.S. version of the Lumia 800 will be renumbered and have added features and specs given the Tango 1/2 updates are forthcoming.
Anonymous

Since you seem to follow this site, you should know that Nokia is expected to make their big push, especially in North America, starting in the new year, and that we can expect a higher spec’ed phone at that point, in the 900 series.

Anonymous

This is VERY intersting.
“One day you have people saying how Nokia will do all these wonderful stuff, and next thing you know they’ll revolting and saying Nokia will fail”< THIS.

Look, I know fanboyism can lead to the weirdest things, specially on forums like this BUT this is exactly why WP7 has been in the middle. Most people want a crossover between iPhone and Android, and when they don't get it, they whine ala Android-iPhone style. WP7 still doesn't have true people who care about the OS, mainly people who care themselves, which is not technically bad though.

Let me make it clear to everyone why NOKIA has already succeeded:

In 7 months Nokia was able to do what HTC, Samsung, LG and all these other pathetic brands could not do. NOT only did Nokia deliver, they actually had already sent every equipment necessary to the stores on display WHILE STILL ON NOKIA WORLD.

All these Samsung/HTC phones being announced and after a whole bunch of months availability started coming down, and heck HTC is mainly advertising fighting Nokia's advertisements and not the well being of WP7.

Here's another perspective on the LUMIA devices:

1. All of you are talking about specs as if it's all that matters, well.. It does. Welcome to the 5% boys and girls! Nokia is not going for HTC and Samsung's customers (Because everyone that's been "disappointed" by Nokia has been praising HTC/SAMSUNG like no tomorrow).

2. NOKIA is going for those who are not decided on where to go. Let me put it this way: Put a regular dumbphone and a LUMIA near it. You think the person will say: "OH NOES!!! No removable SD, the sky is falling???? Or something like: Well no FFC= No sale???"
If that's you, then you are not on NOKIA's mind at the moment. They need new people who are going to spread the word.

3. WOULD ANYONE TELL THEIR GRANDMA OR FATHER NOT TO BUY A LUMIA DEVICE BECAUSE IT DOESN'T HAVE FFC OR DUAL CORE? Exactly, you probably wouldn't. This is the type of customer Nokia is looking for.

So for those whining about NOKIA disappointing, pay attention! Daddy Nokia will show these pathetic brands how it is done. Surely Nokia may ot be king, but it may kick HTC/SAMSUNG in the nuts wake them up, isn't that something you'd be happy with?

SO WHATEVER YOU DO, JUST BE HAPPY NOKIA HAS A DAMN PLAN UNLIKE HTC/SAMSUNG.

Juanju Cm

Nokia is all in
Anonymous

That seems like a stupid move for EA and a bad move for Windows Phone in general.

http://pulse.yahoo.com/_WUROVVOH7EIMFFFVSM5FJX4SOA Benjamin

care to elaborate? ..
Anonymous

Seems like you wish you could have a Nokia Windows Phone 7, but you’ve already staked your future on a different platform . . . and now you’re trying to make yourself feel better about it.
Anonymous

Samsung,HTC,LG all have exclusive apps restricted only to their phones so why is this a bad move? want one buy a Nokia device
Anonymous

OK, to elaborate:
- It makes little sense for EA to limit their efforts to a single OEM. Why limit yourselves to a single OEM when your game is able to reach a wider audience on any Windows Phone?
- There’s a difference between must-have games titles and the sort of OEM-only apps we’ve seen up until now. While few HTC owners will care that they can’t get Samsung Now (for instance) I’m sure they wouldn’t be happy if they couldn’t get Angry Birds or Plants vs Zombies.

If the platform is going to grow we need to ensure that there’s as little fragmentation as possible. Having big developers such as EA sign exclusive deals with OEMs will only ensure a second rate experience across the platform. As a user, I shouldn’t have to lose access to key apps just because I switch from a Nokia Windows Phone to a Samsung Windows Phone.

Anonymous

Read reviews of Windows Phones “the phone is a good mango phone, just needs more apps blah blah blah”. Yes I understand about 90% of apps in marketplace are same as what is on other platforms. Its not us that Windows Phone needs to gain traction from, its from people looking for the first time at a smartphone, or coming from the other app saturated platforms everywhere.
Anonymous

Seems to me that you are confusing differentiation with fragmentation

Making sure the entire platform has enough games and apps isn’t the job of Nokia, its the job of Microsoft..

Nokia has said that they are going to differentiated on software level and hardware level whiles maintaining consistency across the ecosystem..Nokia as I suspect will pay some money to EA or any other developer to make these kinds of games to them.. what benefit will they have if they should make it available to other devices other than their own after shelling out the money?

Even Apple have some exclusive games for iPhone 4s and you would have thought its the same phone from the same company.
Anonymous

It’s worth pointing out that Nokia probably encouraged EA to make these games with a financial incentive. It’s also likely that if WP7 as a platform continues to grow, that these games won’t remain exclusive to Nokia phones forever.

A 3rd party dev like EA isn’t going to lock themselves into a permanent exclusive agreement with a single OEM.

Unlike OEM-developed apps, these types of exclusives are usually time based. If I were a betting man, I’d say these games will probably remain exclusive to Nokia for between 3 and 6 months then be released to the general WP7 marketplace.

http://pulse.yahoo.com/_ZVPGBE3RRKK6FH33WPUFOWFJYQ Just Visiting

True. Nokia will probably have these games exclusively for about six months. In addition, EA is also bringing new games to Nokia’s S40 devices as well.

This is just another way for Nokia to differentiate the devices and it will work!

Anonymous

this sucks, we dont want a software fragmented windows phone. And wth are they using ios icons for?

Anonymous

Who is we? and how do you know this icon they will be using.. even if you did why should you care

Anonymous

We as in wp users. The point is they dont really get it, metro you know. And you dont get it either

Anonymous

1. am windows phone user and I don’t think am included so it more appropriated to use “I” instead..
2. you could only use square icons in wp7 so you claims are unfounded
3. Through their(Nokia) partnership with Microsoft they gave them the chance to change to change the UI if they deemed fit…they choose not to.
4. change of icons doesn’t amount to fragmentation
so what exactly is your point here…? come again your argument is quite weak

Anonymous

u really dont get it. its metro, then use metro style presentation, not those oldtimer ios icons. Nokia better not fck up the interface or they can close their business. The fragmentation is about game exclusivity, but reading is apperently hard for you.
Anonymous

i don’t think they will use icons, they just haven’t created the tile style of it, so they had them displayed as the ios icons :p
Anonymous

In their presentation? Come on its powerpoint or something like that. Use metrostyle presentation, its not difficult you know.
http://pulse.yahoo.com/_ZVPGBE3RRKK6FH33WPUFOWFJYQ Just Visiting

@drakie…EA is also bringing 40 games to Nokia’s S40 series of phones and they made the announcement at the same time, so it makes sense that they would give a general presentation instead of using a ‘Metro UI’ styled presentation.
http://mynokiablog.com/2011/10/29/nokia-and-ea-exclusive-experiences-for-nokia-windows-phone-users-40-free-ea-games-for-s40/
Anonymous

actually that makes sense. thanks

http://www.facebook.com/Luffy07 Sergio Gonzalez

I agree, this could lead to fragmentation… but but at least Nokia is doing something for WP7, samsung does absolutely nothing and HTC… well at least they try to promote WP7 a bit. And they won’t use these icons, it’s just to show wich apps they’re going to port

Anonymous

samsung does enough by bringing their best phone on their lineup to wp. the galaxy series and its SAMOLED+ screen are the best, and it would be ashamed if they weren’t on wp7. The best wp7 devices last year were samsungs in the US and Europe.

http://www.facebook.com/Luffy07 Sergio Gonzalez

That’s not enough, sorry. First of all we only got Omnia 7 in Europe, in my opinion the ugliest phone ever made. And second, I’ve never seen a single ad about their WP7 device.

Anonymous

You’re using the wrong word. Exclusive apps have nothing to do with fragmentation. Android fragmentation has to do with OEMs abandoning 6 month old hardware to push out something with higher specs, leaving users unable to upgrade to core functionality, or the need to visit XDA devs and install custom ROMs just to keep their devices current.

Exclusivity is merely that, an incentive to choose one OEMs devices over another. Also, it’s most likely that such exclusivity would be time limited, much like what we see on consoles. Any EA game will probably be Nokia only for 3-6 months max before making it to the general marketplace, as EA is probably being paid by Nokia to get them there first.

http://www.facebook.com/Luffy07 Sergio Gonzalez

yeah sorry about that I got confused…

Anonymous

Not sure if I like it. Why not cheaper for Nokia Phone owners while all others still can buy them if they want. Better for the ecosystem.

Anonymous

differenciation.. want one buy a Nokia device

Anonymous

+1 because you replied within 30 seconds

Anonymous

yeah am bored

Anonymous

This is standard practice for EA on Android. They have signed a similar deal with the xperia play. Currently Fifa 12 is available for the play but not for other devices until Feb 2012. So its a time limited exclusivity thing. Sounds like the same deal.
Anonymous

I hate exclusive deals. I didn’t buy Madden for years because NFL 2K was better (my opinion) but with the NFL deal they took that option away.

Microsoft says that WP7 is thier mobile gaming platform. Now, mobile gamers who want Xbox Live verison of those EA games are hamstrung in choice if they want these titles. What if Sprint decides to be dumb and not get a decent Nokia phone but I’m a gamer who wants Madden? My choices are to, suck it up with a phone I don’t want, change carriers, or buy any Android handset or even iPhone and live without the XBL feature. None of those are reasonable in my opinion.

I personally am not going to chose my next phone based on what games are available get for it, but, there are those who will. With people still talking about the number of apps on the other plaforms, limiting top quality titles to a particular brand is not going to help that argument. This may drive a few people to Nokia but when the WP7 platform as a whole is in need of growth I really can’t see this as the right time to do this with big name apps.

At this point, I want a Nokia phone anyway but they’re not hitting the US until next year and there’s time for other OEMs to put some “wow” handsets on the market before they do. If they do, I’m one person who would 100% have bought at least Madden and NBA Jam, maybe others as well. EA is passing on easy money, the top 13 paid apps right now are games so the market is there already

http://pulse.yahoo.com/_ZVPGBE3RRKK6FH33WPUFOWFJYQ Just Visiting

@hysonmb…Given Nokia’s market reach, especially in the launch countries of Europe and Asia, EA will bring in plenty of money if they charge for the games When the Nokia devices reach the U.S. market, the income from these games will just be icing on the cake.

http://twitter.com/oslicek David Petrla

Do you remember Ilomilo? It was AT&T exclusive, but only for three months or so. I expect this to be similar.

Anonymous

1 month at most

http://www.facebook.com/mlococo Michael A. Lococo

who would okay games on those puny screens?!?

Anonymous

Doesn’t stop iPhone users.

http://twitter.com/tiamat1990 Edric Pascual

Ok this is kind of ridiculous. They complain about market fragmentation in the Android market and here they go doing exactly that. Ugh.

Anonymous

Would you call exclusive Samsung&HTC apps for wp7 fragmentation?

Anonymous

it’s their own apps. no exclusive games, from the biggest company in games.

Anonymous

So you mean HTC can have an exclusive youtube app, samsung a dictionary and several other exclusive apps but Nokia can’t because its a game?
How would Nokia benefit from this if they have to pay EA to make games available for every other wp7 device?

Anonymous

youtube app? it’s the same one we all have just dressed differently. Prettier, not the native android version of youtube.
diodict dictionary?? no one is going to NOT buy a phone because of the lack of this app. You have dictionary.com app if you wanted to.
It is different with games, because it’s not just one game, it’s a bunch of games from EA. One of the reason why you buy WP is because of games and Live integration.
This is what I hate about android, in some devices I’m able to get some games or apps, in others it won’t work. If you buy or download an app it should work on my next wp device too no matter what brand it is. The platform is WP and the experience should be consistent.
Anonymous

I understand your worry but you are misdirecting your anger.. … but this is the problem of Microsoft not Nokia. Nokia obviously paid money to have these games made for them.. how would they benefit if they should make it available for everyone else.

Anonymous

I’m just gonna C/P what I said to someone else…

You’re using the wrong word. Exclusive apps have nothing to do with fragmentation. Android fragmentation has to do with OEMs abandoning 6 month old hardware to push out something with higher specs, leaving users unable to upgrade to core functionality, or the need to visit XDA devs and install custom ROMs just to keep their devices current.

Exclusive apps are merely differentiation and incentivizing users to choose one OEM over another. Plus, these games will probably only be exclusives for a short time frame (3-6 months), as EA would want to capitalize on their IP, and wouldn’t lock some of their big names to a single OEM forever.

Anonymous

There is a difference between fragmentation and differentiation.. this is differentiation not fragmentation
http://twitter.com/DarkSynopsis DarkSynopsis

Ouch I hope that is not the case! Still early into the Windows Phone and
they expect people to be upgrading already? my Touch is still a 2nd Gen
its only just started getting to the point I can’t play most new games
but hell Dead Space works on it! I would like Dead Space on my WP7!

Got a HTC Trophy I will be most disappointed if the Marketplace starts to get split!

EA and Microsoft need to sort this out! Either let all WP7 Users have these games or don’t put them out!

Anonymous

These games will probably be time exclusive. As someone else mentioned above, ilomilo was an AT&T exclusive for a short time, then released to the general market. EA wouldn’t lock major properties to a single OEM indefinitely. Nokia is probably paying them for an exclusive time frame. This happens all the time on other gaming platforms.

Anonymous

How Microsoft intends to at least maintain it’s marketshare if it leaves without support previous users that early?? Do they actually know how to properly manage their resources?? Let’s hope they don’t kill WP7 with their “efficiency”.

Anonymous

why dont you get a Nokia device and stop whinning

Tony D

Well this is a stupid idea. How about games exclusive to WP period. How can you call this exclusive when these games exist on Android and IPhone. Dumb move Microsoft really dumb move.
Tony D

Well this is a stupid idea. How about games exclusive to WP period. How can you call this exclusive when these games exist on Android and IPhone. Dumb move Microsoft really dumb move.
Anonymous

There was this blazing question on the internet – ‘Why should someone buy a Nokia WP over a Samsung, HTC, or LG WP?”

Well, if amazing aesthetics wasn’t enough to get you to choose a Nokia, or the tech advances, navigation services, IP portfolio, and device release frequency wasn’t enough, well, I think this would be a very sweet reason to choose a Nokia WP device over the other oems devices.
Anonymous

There was this blazing question on the internet – ‘Why should someone buy a Nokia WP over a Samsung, HTC, or LG WP?”

Well, if amazing aesthetics wasn’t enough to get you to choose a Nokia, or the tech advances, navigation services, IP portfolio, and device release frequency wasn’t enough, well, I think this would be a very sweet reason to choose a Nokia WP device over the other oems devices.
http://www.about.me/AngeloGopaul Eingoluq

If they have no xbox live support, FUUUUU EA!… I’ve become an achievement junkie!
http://pulse.yahoo.com/_UZC22TTV2JV6B4WPAICPE5BFPE Michael John anyaehie

Iphone is so Steev Jobs with all these coming to Windows Phone can’t wait to get my hands on Nokia
Anonymous

I’m ok with this as long as it’s a time limited exclusivity. If after 3-6 months they come to everyone, that’s fair for them forking out some cash to be unique and bringing some extra value to the brand.
Anonymous

SO much for Nokia helping the entire Windows Phone ecosystem.
Anonymous

If Nokia is bankrolling EAs development of these titles it’s more than
fair they are exclusive. While the article doesn’t specifically say they
are, that does seem likely to be the case.
Anonymous

exclusive means better graphics and quality time spent developing the
game for the plateform instead of silly ports…. I guess i will be
getting nokia after all. I was thinking of getting a bigger screen…
But this is ok for me.

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