N-Gage Prototype game? : "Space Impact" *PICS!*

[The_4th_Survivor]

I bought this game from a guy who bought it from someone else. I traded dearly for it, but I'm really hell bent on completing my N-Gage collection, so I traded a rare game for it. (What game? I'm still too embarassed about it, but maybe I'll tell ya'll once my blushing goes away.) :embarrassed:

Okay, pics!

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y263/The_4th_Survivor/ADSC0001.jpg

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y263/The_4th_Survivor/ADSC0006.jpg

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y263/The_4th_Survivor/ADSC0009.jpg

Anyway, the game is sealed, just as it was in the picture I was emailed (bad pic too), but from what it looks like, this item might actually be a pre-release version or even a mock-up/prototype of the game, as the inner package artwork not only looks unfinished, but there are no screenshots of the game on the back, no game description and no text about the game on the back cover.

The seal on the side where the case opens is a plain white looking seal with no text and a hologram strip on it. Instead of the hologram strip saying "Nokia", like official release games do, this one says "Topan".

Even the UPC symbol doesn't seem to be valid. It has red letters which read "FPO" on it, through the bar code, with the numbers being 0 47875 80381 7. Not to mention, the spine side of the cover doesn't have an 'item/part number', instead, it reads "Cxxxxxx".

According to the other information on the back, this particular title was produced sometime in 2003.

There is also an additional set of text, which is in another language. From what it looks like (although I'm definitely not an expert), it's probably in Latin, but may also be French.

The first line says: "Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectataur adipisicing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incidudunt ut labore et dolore....."

There's more, but I don't feel like typing it up.

I'd open it up, but I don't want to possibly 'ruin' a sealed piece of 'gold', if you know what I mean.

I also think I might have found some further info on this game.

According to the game production company that made "Space Impact", there are several versions of the game, all with their own little 'sub' titles such as "Space Impact: Evolution" and "Space Impact X".

The interesting title is one called "Space Impact: Evolution", which is a privately funded prototype game that is NOT a vertical scrolling SHMUP. It's a 3D type of racing game like Crasho Nitro Kart, etc.

Here's the URL: http://www.kuju.com/games_wireless_release.htm

It's a little more than halfway down the website page and there's a screenshot of it.

Perhaps the game I have is actually the racing game? I'm torn. I want to open the game I have, but at the same time, I want to keep it sealed. :/


One other thing, there seems to be something inside of the game case (you can hear that there are contents of some kind when shaking it), but there's also a remote possibility that the case 'could' be empty, with no game, especially since there is almost no information whatsoever regarding the release info for this game, or even it's existence.

Any ideas?

[Snapple]

Seals were made to be opened. The only reason to keep it sealed is if you're going to resell it. The best reason to WANT a sealed game is so that you can open it, knowing that it's pristine on the inside and unused.

If you have a one-of-a-kind game, you have to play it.

[Vinnysdad]

Are you even sure there is a game in the case? Makes you wonder. :)

[classicb]

i'd like to see pictures when you get them. sounds like an interesting find.

looking at the link you have I saw they also listed the game Bounce which I beleive came free on the Nokia CD with the N-Gage in Spain and the UK (I think). The game you mentioned also says it shipped on a CD with the N-Gage so I wonder if this game was released somewhere else in the world or almost released.

[yok-dfa]

Sounds interesting, but it could just be a display box (e.g. empty).

[RevQuixo]

The first line says: "Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectataur adipisicing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incidudunt ut labore et dolore....."

Usually latin gibberish is put in as a placeholder for actual text on a final product. Sounds like a mock-up to me.

http://www.straightdope.com/columns/010216.html <--Link about lorem ipsum...

[Roi]

Wich company whould seal a proto...


But if it is a proto, no don't open it :P

[c0ldb33r]

open it! if for nothing else to confirm theres actually a working game in there!

[K3V]

I would open it to verify that there is a game in there, and to play it. I've never heard of a prototype completely sealed like that.

[norkusa]

If it's an unreleased proto, I really don't think it'll make a difference if it's sealed or not since it's rarity/value will always be the same. Who's heard of sealed protos anyway?

Commercial releases though, yeah, sealed copies will always be more valuable than opened ones.

[ProgrammingAce]

Definately strange that it's sealed. All of the ngage proto's that i have are either on generic mmc cards or have "not for resale" stickers on them just like the kiosc demo games. None of them have ever had cases...

My website seems to be down, or i'd put up pics...

[fishsandwich]

How about some pics? There are plenty of free services you can use to post pics. Until then it's just vapor.

[mills]

Definitely open it. If it's truly a proto or one of a kind there's only one way to find out, and that's crack it open! If not, you just have a sealed box with god-knows-what in it!

[Bojay1997]

Not to be a jerk, but you spent a lot of time posting and stirring up excitement and speculation when information about this game is all over the Internet. It's not an N-gage proto. It was released on some of the early N-gage pack-in discs in Europe. It was released in stand-alone format in Europe for various non-N-gage Nokia phones like the S60. You can see box and game shots on various non-US Nokia store sites. The developer is Kuju who also did the aforementioned Bounce and a couple of other "funded" protos for the N-gage.

[ProgrammingAce]

Happy now? = P

http://gamerhistory.com/Ngageproto.jpg

[The_4th_Survivor]

:embarrassed:


Okay, all of you are right. I should post pics.

I at least owe you all that considering you've all given your input (as well as your votes in the poll).

I'll take a picture soon and post it at photobucket. I just hope I can remember my photobucket password. lol

[The_4th_Survivor]

Okay, pics are up.

Thanks for waiting everyone.

Now please, what should I do? Open it? Keep it sealed?

Please vote!

[fishsandwich]

I voted a big old fat NO (minority opinion it seems.) I'm thinking it was a store display box maybe? There's a good chance that there's no game in there and then you've messed up the wrap. At least wait awhile and see if the code shows up on the net somewhere... it's been theorized that Nokia is moving to a download-only model (like Snakes) and it might show up as a complete game for download. Perhaps the game is available under another name as a game running on the Symbian 60 platform?

GREAT find!!!

[c0ldb33r]

Okay, pics are up.
How can I see the pics?

edit: nevermind - they're there now

[ProgrammingAce]

That's really weird... that looks like a marketing sample... I would be kind of surprised if there is a game in there.

[The_4th_Survivor]

I voted a big old fat NO (minority opinion it seems.) I'm thinking it was a store display box maybe? There's a good chance that there's no game in there and then you've messed up the wrap. At least wait awhile and see if the code shows up on the net somewhere... it's been theorized that Nokia is moving to a download-only model (like Snakes) and it might show up as a complete game for download. Perhaps the game is available under another name as a game running on the Symbian 60 platform?

GREAT find!!!


I almost forgot that Nokia was moving onward and doing the 'online download' thing for future games. That kind of sucks, IMHO, but if it saves them money and we still get our games, more power to them.

As for this particular piece, I really wish that more information could be obtained about it. "Space Impact" is feeling more like a phantom title than anything else.

I'm still pondering the questions; Is it a shooter? Is it a racing game? Is it even a game? IS THERE ANYTHING IN THIS BOX? :embarrassed:

Thanks for the compliment as well. I do quite like the fact that I have something that is seemingly rare, so I try not to remind myself of what I traded for it. O_O

[ProgrammingAce]

Shake the box and see if it rattles... I just shook an N-gage case and the game rattled around a bit. Might save you from opening it.

[Slimedog]

Shake the box and see if it rattles... I just shook an N-gage case and the game rattled around a bit. Might save you from opening it.

Even if it rattles, it could just be the plastic game sleeve that they generally include in the box. Those are usually a bit looser in the case than the card itself.

[The_4th_Survivor]

Shake the box and see if it rattles... I just shook an N-gage case and the game rattled around a bit. Might save you from opening it.


Oh, I've been shaking this box gently and there definitely IS something inside of it.

Could be papers, could be that plastic MMC card holder or could be a couple of potato chips for all I know. LOL

But seriously, I'm really torn.

The majority vote says to "open it" so I'm probably going to chance it very soon.

If the vote for 'open' goes to 50, I'll open up the game, but I'll try to do something that's never been done before:

I'll video capture the opening event, so everyone can be witness to this possible 'historic' moment in N-Gage history. It'll be like the suspense that occured when Geraldo Rivera was pining to see what was inside Al Capone's Vault. LOL

If the vote for 'leave it closed' goes to 30, then I'll leave it sealed.

So please, everyone, VOTE!

[classicb]

as I was checking out the N-Gage E3 site http://www.n-gage.com/e3/index.htm I remembered this thread. Anyway check out some of the videos and the upcoming games and you'll see Space Impact.

[c0ldb33r]

So ... was this ever opened?

[rbudrick]

Can you open it without damaging the seals? I'd bet there's a way if you are determined enough.

-Rob

[Ed Oscuro]

The first line says: "Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectataur adipisicing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incidudunt ut labore et dolore....."

Usually latin gibberish is put in as a placeholder for actual text on a final product. Sounds like a mock-up to me.

http://www.straightdope.com/columns/010216.html <--Link about lorem ipsum...
better yet: http://www.loremipsum.net/

LOL

Sounds cool.

[coreycorey2000]

It makes no sense why it is sealed. You can probably use steam to unseal it without damaging the plastic wrap. And then seal it back up to protect it. If you go to sell it just let the other person know you have opened it.

[Ed Oscuro]

If the game is released and this cart is different from final versions...that'd be great to know. I'd open it out of curiosity. Also, it should be easy to tell if it's got a cartridge inside, by weight.

[The_4th_Survivor]

If the game is released and this cart is different from final versions...that'd be great to know. I'd open it out of curiosity. Also, it should be easy to tell if it's got a cartridge inside, by weight.

Ed Oscuro, you're a clever man.

I would have never thought about weighing the game.

I'll compare it to the rest of the N-Gage games I have and try to determine if there is something inside of it.

[Stark]

Open it already. If it is a proto it will retain it's value (about $5 since it's an N-Gage game ) LOL

[fishsandwich]

If the game is released and this cart is different from final versions...that'd be great to know. I'd open it out of curiosity. Also, it should be easy to tell if it's got a cartridge inside, by weight.

Ed Oscuro, you're a clever man.

I would have never thought about weighing the game.

I'll compare it to the rest of the N-Gage games I have and try to determine if there is something inside of it.

I'm not sure that weighing it would help. The MMC cards are very light. The big variable would be the instruction book... some of the more complicated N-Gage games have thick books. If this is a simple shooter then the book is going to have fewer pages and weigh less. This game (if it is a proto) might not come with a real instruction book... who the hell knows what's really in there without opening it? You could use a simple game like Puzzle Bobble for referance but the instruction book (if there is one) is the big unknown.

Now if you had an MRI machine...

[rbudrick]

Now if you had an MRI machine...

Anybody know any university students wih access? LOL

MRIs can't damage flash, right?

-Rob

[ProgrammingAce]

An MRI scanner would pull the MMC card right through the plastic case... i wouldn't try that.

A hand held security metal detector will be able to detect an MMC card, it's what they use in the manufacturing plant to make sure employees aren't stealing the product.

[The_4th_Survivor]

These are all some great ideas by all of you guys.

MRI machine?

Metal detector?


Seriously everyone...... PURE GENIUS!


As a matter of fact, I used to work at a place where they used handheld metal detectors, walk-through metal detectors and even an X-ray machine conveyer belt to scan bags, etc. and show the results within 5 seconds, onto a computer monitor.

That particular X-ray machine could filter out and detect metal in even the thickest of materials, such as thick plastic cases, between bundles of paper, clothing, etc. Not even a paper clip was undetectable in that X-ray machine, so I wouldn't doubt that it would be affective in trying to find out what's inside of an N-Gage game case.

I'll try to make a trip down to the place that had this machine and see if I can get them to scan the contents of the "Space Impact" case as well as a commercially released N-Gage game, just to see what it looks like.

Thanks for all the cool ideas.

I knew I could depend on the thinking minds of fellow DP users. :D

[Ed Oscuro]

I'm not sure that weighing it would help. The MMC cards are very light. The big variable would be the instruction book... some of the more complicated N-Gage games have thick books.
You make an excellent point.

How about weighing it in comparision to an empty N-Gage case? If there's anything inside this prototype game box, it's worth opening it (even if it's just an instruction manual), I'd say.

[ShinobiMan]

Open it already. If it is a proto it will retain it's value (about $5 since it's an N-Gage game ) LOL

Happy 1000th post Stark!

That is all.

[suckerpunch5]

What ever happened? I'm gonna guess since there is no follow up post, not much. I hope I'm wrong!!!

[maxlords]

You should definitely open this and see. At best, you've got a playable game, at worst, a fancy box :)

[Auxilla]

Man i would open it.

[slapdash]

Sell it to me. I'll open it. Heh.

[SegaAges]

It has already been said before, but if you plan on reselling this item, buy all means just leave it.

But if you plan on keeping it, open it. Stop beating around the bush and asking us if you plan on keeping it. Why would you want to question it. If this is the full game in its full form, us collector's would much rather want to see the contents and the game and everything rather than just the sealed case.

[tom]

Well I have Space Impact Evolution X, which came issued on the Nokia CD with the phone:
maybe its that?

[DreamTR]

This post is 8 months old, that's enough of the hype machine, eh?

[tom]

>>>>>DreamTR said: This post is 8 months old, that's enough of the hype machine, eh?<<<<<


naaah, i've seen people resurrecting 3 year old posts and older...

[suckerpunch5]

I refuse to let this topic die! I must know what happened with this sealed game case! common 4th survivor, let me know!

[Zadoc]

I refuse to let this topic die! I must know what happened with this sealed game case! common 4th survivor, let me know!

Not only do I want to know what was in the case... I want to know what rare game he traded for this!

[esquire]

Not only do I want to know what was in the case...

This got me thinking of the scene in Pulp Fiction when Samuel Jackson opens the brief case in the diner.

Come on, open it already!

[ProgrammingAce]

N-Gage mother f-er, do you speak it?

[mills]

Open It, If You Dont Know Whats In It Theres Only One Way To Find Out

[GizmoGC]

I have a copy of this game as well. Retail copy with manual, mini-DVD, case (with hanging top built into plastic). Problem is I can't get it to boot past the menu screen. Keeps crashing in my QD.

For anyone interested this is what the back reads:
Type: SPACEIMPACTB3.0

MADE IN TAIWAN
S031403BFAC30024A
2G269506
MX53L00811LC-50

[theunknowngoat]

I also have questions about this
8157
if anyone ever learned anything about it that is

[GizmoGC]

I also have copy of this if anyone is interested.