The official story: Nokia reps did not return requests for comment.

What we heard: In 2003, the N-Gage launched with much fanfare--and even more derision. The original form factor of Nokia's hybrid game deck became a running joke for its clunky design, laborious game-switching process, and the laughable "side-talking" mobile-phone functionality. Not even the lightning-quick introduction of the redesigned N-Gage QD could reverse the platform's fortune. Instead of selling an anticipated 6 million in two years, Nokia has sold only 2 million N-Gages to date.

Given the N-Gage's unpopularity, industry watchers have been predicting its demise for months. However, as recently as May, Nokia claimed the platform was alive and well. But over the weekend, headlines such as "Nokia Dis-N-Gages" and "Nokia Shifts Focus from Gaming" helped fuel rumors that the end was finally nigh for the handheld/phone.

However, most of the stories that bore the headlines did not explicitly say that Nokia has ceased manufacturing the N-Gage. Almost all cited the VNUnet article, titled "Nokia Holds Fire on Mobile Gaming," which says that the Finnish phone giant "will not be building new versions of the N-Gage gaming phone." That statement could easily be interpreted as meaning manufacture of the handheld/phone has ceased. However, the article does say that "the company intends to continue producing N-Gage devices primarily for the Chinese and Indian markets." But given the dismal-sounding quotes in the VNUnet article from Nokia vice president for corporate strategy Antti Vasara, you shouldn't expect to see future N-Gage publicity campaigns...unless you live in Shanghai or Mumbai.

Bogus or not bogus?: Technically bogus for now, though the platform's days are almost definitely numbered

Well if nokia stops producing N-gage, it would means that there will be less games for the gamers.

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