Graphics vs. Gameplay
Pocket Gamer’s Stuart Dredge has posted an interesting piece today about the effect of N-Gage games’ powerful visuals, but adds the cautionary message that looks aren’t everything.
It’s fair to say that phones with N-Gage inside will kick seven bells out of existing 3D Java mobile games, visually. … But that’s not the whole story. Console-like visuals will be useless if they’re simply allied to console-style control systems.”
“N-Gage’s graphical strength is also a potential Achilles’ heel, in that it might just encourage developers to port across console or handheld games without thinking about how they’ll work on a mobile phone.”
“This is where Nokia will have to take a strong role, not dissimilar to what Sony, Microsoft and Nintendo do as platform owners in the traditional gaming world.”
Definitely worth a read and it is the first of a series Pocket Gamer plans to run about the new N-Gage platform. We’re looking forward to the rest.
Pretty exciting to see so many positive articles about the next generation of N-Gage springing up lately too. I should like to point out that the video in that piece is slightly dated. For example, we will have FIFA 08, not 07. 
So what do you guys think? What’s more important to you in mobile gaming — graphics or gameplay?
August 22nd, 2007 at 11:52 pm
Both are very important, but gameplay is more important for sure
and i dont think games that uses one thumb will be very interesting, games that gave more buttons to use and more thumbs to use will have better gameplay
August 22nd, 2007 at 11:52 pm
Personally, I think the success story of the Wii has taught us that, at least for quite a few people, interesting game play can be more important than merely good graphics.
I think this is especially important since mobile phones come in so many different form factors. It might be easy to play games on phones that can be held horizontally and have some kind of dedicated gaming keys, but on a regular candy bar, like the N73, this can be really difficult. I wonder whether good accessories are an option, like a snap-in joypad.
I for one would not like to carry additional extras with me just to have a good gaming experience. I’d go for a phone that is designed for game play, but not everybody will do this and still expect to enjoy every game.
For me, good gameplay is a must-have, the graphics are just the goodies on top (as long as they’re not butt ugly ;)). If N-gage games can do both and provide a mix between casual games so you can still entertain yourself for 5 minutes if you don’t have much time and need a quick entry into the game and fast way out (like card games, for example) and more complex and challenging games, I think they’ll rock.
August 23rd, 2007 at 1:17 am
I think graphics & gameplay both are important,for instance if the graphics arent good, then the gameplay will automatically suffer & if gameplay is not upto the mark then then even with good graphics the game wont success to get attention from gamers like me.
August 23rd, 2007 at 2:15 am
I like my games with good gameplay AND graphics!
Or atleast good gameplay and clear graphics,wich helps me to actually regonise the objects on the screen.
I think Nokia will provide us with both gameplay and graphics that are good qualaty.Or so I hope…
August 24th, 2007 at 10:00 pm
To me, the key factors for a good game on ANY system are:
1. Gameplay
2. Graphics
3. Game length
in this order.
Gameplay to the game is like websites to internet, and good graphics are of no use without great gameplay. If graphics is more important, then you should watch the trailer of the game, but to play it, good gameplay is needed.
And one thing, the game needs to be long enough to ‘N-Gage’ me, otherwise, both graphics and gameplay lose depth.
August 26th, 2007 at 12:08 am
look at the lesson nintendo gave us both with DS and Wii - the gameplay is essential
August 27th, 2007 at 9:21 am
i cant wait for the start… i love the grafic
pl_pirat
http://www.projectnext.de/
August 30th, 2007 at 9:18 pm
I think both. You don’t see people playing Pong anymore, though it has simple and good gameplay