Sega and Nokia unveil Pocket Kingdom

Sega and Nokia have this week announced another N-Gage breakthrough. "Another one?" I hear you cry. Well, yes. That's what it says. Say hello to Pocket Kingdom: Own The World, a first-of-its-kind "massively multiplayer online mobile game" (or MMOMG, presumably).

Although most of the press release was given over to corporate quotes (Rob will be pleased), we have learnt that Pocket Kingdom is a sort of strategy thing where players send vast armies (more than 100 unit types) out from their unique castles (over 400 configurations) and explore the Map of Ulgress in search of new recruits and treasure (in the form of up to 50,000 items - sheesh!). From there they can go online and compete against rival empire-builders, or just instant message them using the game's built-in chat features.

Other than that we understand there will also be an online auction system (we're guessing this involves in-game currency, by the way), so that players can buy or sell weapons/items they find to service each kingdom's economy. Bound to be popular in parliament then.

Although details aren't exactly abundant, then, it does at least sound like a change from the norm. Whether it can challenge Advance Wars for the pocket strategy crown, however, is another matter. Oh lord, now we're dreaming of massively multiplayer Advance Wars. Drool.

Pocket Kingdom is due out in Q3 2004. Here are some screenshots.