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Pocket Gamer has revealed that behind the scenes activity is ramping up for a relaunch of the N-Gage gaming handset. Top secret workshops involving publishers and developers last week, held in Santa Monica over two days, involved Nokia unveiling the new platform for the first time.

The who’s who of the gaming world were reportedly there, including Disney, Sega Of America, Sony Online Entertainment, Universal, Square Enix, Capcom, THQ Wireless, Glu Mobile, Digital Chocolate, EA Mobile, Tecmo, Namco and Vivendi Games. Also in attendance were first party developers including Backbone Entertainment and Foundation9.

Along with the gaming platform, distribution methods were discussed, among them the ‘N-Gage activation code system’ - presumably a system to prevent non-authorised games being played on the device.

Further workshops are planned for coming weeks, with Nokia’s director of publishing Gregg Sauter, senior title marketing manager Nick Malaperiman, and marketing manager Simon Etchells in attendance again.

So when will the public unveiling be? Possibly at the March Game Developer’s Conference, but more likely later in the year.

Will the new N-Gage be a bigger hit than the previous flops (relatively at least)? Well with the attendance list described above, it looks like Nokia has got their act in gear and could have a serious gaming device contender on its hands this time around. And it will need to be good - competition for mobile gaming is hotting up.