Games for Zune details, hands-on
By Ryan Block 
posted Feb 20th 2008 6:52PM
posted Feb 20th 2008 6:52PM
- For starters, first-gen Zunes don't appear to be ruled out by any means, but it's going to be dependent on the game controls. Zauri, the sample space shooter game demoed today, uses the Zunepad, thus wouldn't work (as well) on a Zune 30. Nothing has been decided as to whether games will universally require 2nd-gen Zunes, though.
- Use of the Zunepad in Zauri was as a trackpad and omnidirectional -- it wasn't just up / down / left / right, as in the menus.
- Right now the system partitions a mere 16MB for storing games, although this might change.
- Right now there isn't a professional-grade SDK to announce; all titles should initially be done up in XNA Studio.
- Means of distribution (i.e. games loaded through an installer, through the Zune desktop app, or through Zune Marketplace?) has not yet been decided.
- The first beta development tools will be out this Spring.
- There are no plans for Zune game sharing (yet), so to play with a friend wirelessly you both must have the game on your Zune.
hooray! Zune30's are not non-game compatible!
OMG how ugly is the object in the photo! Is that a Zune? Disgusting!
The Zune is no longer mini!
Unlike that fat nano looking like thing in the last article.
I don't know about the games on iPods, but this def. looks inspiring for current, myself, and future Zune owners. I already love my Zune 80 and its the envy of all my friends, who don't have the iTouch (I prefer to say iTouch as opposed to the iPod Touch)..lol.
Microsoft is definitely upping it game and by the time XBox 720 (?) comes out I'll be looking for a job ( ;-) ) and next gen is going to be very very interesting as Sony wont have the majority of the market, Yeah Competition!
I call it the iTouch myself.
(Divinyls fans?)
"Zune 80 and its the envy of all my friends."
Hahaha!
WOW!
WHEN WILL THIS COME OUT???
totally one ups all the ipod fanbois with their silly little parachute game from 5 years ago.
This is what makes me scratch my head.. Why put down others? Zune owners get cool games, Great! I can't wait to play some on my Zune 80, but why put down the iPod people. The same goes for 360 VS PS3 and the former format wars. If you enjoy something, Great!, but theres no need to put down others because obviously they love their product as we love ours.
In the words of many who have come before me, "Can't we all just get along?"
my portable music player enlarges my genitalia more than yours does
Wish there was a rank lower than "Lowest Ranked"
Maybe "You are an idiot" rank?
The iPod offered games since 2006 from the likes of EA, Gameloft, Sega and Namco to name a few.
Eric M.: It's a sign of maturity, or lack thereof, which brings about these platform (fanboy) insults.
Ross: Yes, this does one-up the parachute game. Then again, the parachute game had been one-upped quite some time ago with the 31 other games available through iTunes.
will the games be free?
Absolutely free! and Microsoft Game Division will become a subsidiary of Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.
But seriously, there might be a couple of free games coming with the device (downloadable for older Zunes).
It should be free, I think anyone can make games so I can't see why Microsoft would charge you if you wanted to release your own game for free. Maybe there will be a lot of "Gold" editions with more levels and better functionality, but I think games will be free.
Here's a hint: Live isn't free even though Wii and PS3 owners pay nothing for multiplayer.
Scott, you also get a hell of a LOT more than the Wii and PS3 services.
@Scott
Ever hear of "You get what you pay for?"
Well PS3 and Wii pay nothing...
When are they making one with WVGA resolution and touch UI?
Someone needs to make a gaming device like the Nintendo DS, but with a widescreen WVGA primary display.
is that because QVGA sucks?
mike thanks for caps lock that rox0red. that was facetious.
WTF time warp?
Speaking of fanboy-ism, I'm going to make a completely facetious comment.
GOD, WHATS WITH ALL THE MICROSOFT POSTS TODAY! THIS BLOG IS COMPLETELY MICROSOFT ORIENTED! SUCH BIASED WRITING!
I THEREFORE HATE THE WORLD
goodnight.
YES
YES!!!
YES!!11!1!1ONEONETWO
ZOMG YES!!1!1!!111ONEONE!1!ONETWO!1!!!11ONE
parents, this is what ritalin can do to your kids too.
haha, can't someone be excited about Zune games without having ADD?
Of course, but they obviously have SOME type of disorder...
uhm...isn't that what ritalin makes your kids NOT do?
Can't wait to get my hands on some of these games... I really hope they add game sharing though, or else it's going to be nearly impossible to find someone with the Same game as you within a wifi range. (I know lots of friends that have Zunes, but probably won't be buying too many games)
Are there really enough zune owners to warrant game development?
Thats what I asked. I'm being serious, what are the latest quarter sales of Zunes? Google the question and you get zero results. Is it hundreds, thousands or in the millions? What is the latest quarter sales results?
XNA is built on top of the .Net Framework. In addition to running on the Xbox 360 and PC's the .Net framework also runs on phones with the Microsoft OS. Given this information I can't help but conjecture that the Zune is not the only mobile platform that will support XNA.
I asked the question in all seriousness too. Game development isn't inexpensive, and not all owners are going to be game players. I'm on my second iPod capable of games, and all I've ever played was a free demo of velocity I later deleted.
"Game development isn't inexpensive, and not all owners are going to be game players."
These aren't exactly next gen graphic powerhouse games that require teams of dozens or hundreds of people. The XNA framework is ridiculously easy to use (MS makes better dev tools than pretty much any other platform manufacturer whether it be OS, Embedded, or Console vendor) and allows single individuals or small groups of people to make pretty good games in their spare time for almost nothing (the community developer subscription is $99 a year I believe).
Something like bejewled would be entirely feasible on a Zune and could be written in less than a week by a couple of guys. Casual games tend to be horribly simple in complexity and are easy (relative to the games we are used to) to write.
"XNA is built on top of the .Net Framework. In addition to running on the Xbox 360 and PC's the .Net framework also runs on phones with the Microsoft OS. Given this information I can't help but conjecture that the Zune is not the only mobile platform that will support XNA."
Yeah Vendor lock in!! WOOHOOO!! I'm so glad Microsoft isn't out to screw the economy... oh wait.
@ Andir
Wait, screw Microsoft for making good development platforms. Theirs beats the iPhones!
Before iPod fanatics can jump in another one of those "but iPod had this a long time ago, M$ is copying again", we should note that:
1. Games for the most part can work on the new AND old generation Zune.
2. Developers get to CREATE games.
3. Many of these games will most likely be free.
And if you pull the stupid "copying" card, how about the iPod Touch copying the Zune because it now has WiFi? Zune had it awhile ago first. So is Apple copying by including a feature people want?
All companies continually add new features, and just because somebody did it first, doesn't mean it can't be on another company's product. I would love to see how the iPod Touch without WiFi would be, because Zune had WiFi first.
my cranium had wifi before the first fanboy uttered "Zoon!"
@phanbuoy : Maybe I wasn't making myself clear, I mean in comparison between the iPod and the Zune, the Zune had WiFi first.
NOT that the Zune was the first of any device to have WiFi. Definitely not.
The Zune may have had wifi first, but my iPod touch is allowing me to comment on this pathetic comment. I dare you to respond from your Zune.
And:
1. Who even knew there was more than one type of Zune?
2. Wait for the iPhone SDK. I'm pretty sure everyone will be busy developing for that.
3. Who is going to spend money on an inferior product and then spend more many for crap games?
@John : My point is, is that first doesn't matter. Whoever makes it better counts more. The iPod rocks in WiFi, and the Zune now rocks in games.
As far as I'm concerned, the Zune's gaming options at least look better than the iPod's mediocre service.
1. I did. So did many Zune users. Gadget enthusiasts who keep tabs on the news.
2. Why wait? What took so long? And it's known that Microsoft is a bit more open than Apple, who likes to control as much as they can, and are reluctant to opening their products. I'm not an iPhone user, so it wouldn't matter to me anyways.
3. In my opinion, if you've used both Zunes and iPods for a long time, Zunes seem to have more bang for their buck than the iPods. That's my opinion of course, as much as your opinion is yours.
And if you read the post and other comments, it seems likely that these indie developer games will be free. If you don't like the game, don't get them. I'm quite sure some people might want gaming on their device.
So why don't you go bug off and keep showing off your iPhone to people on the streets? It's obvious you know little about Zunes and should bother commenting on stuff you don't even know.
ohhh. dear mikey, that went so far over your head i feel a touch guilty.
AT&T invented Wi-Fi. Apple made friends with AT&T. Apple's mobile devices are now getting Wi-FI.
Apple begins selling iPods. Microsoft begins to sell Zunes. Apple adds games to iPods. The Zune now has games.
One of these companies is copying another. The other is just naturally changing due to partnerships. Can you guess which one is which?
@ John:
1. Engadget, google, gizmodo, facebook, myspace, microsoft, apple, CNet...I could go on
2. So apparently everyone owns an iPhone, and *ONLY* people want to develop for the iPhone and nothing else, not anything special like developing a new Linux Kernel or anything else
3. Well, Apple convinced people to spend $20 for more crap for their Touch
@michael: My god you are stupid. I could smite your inferior intelligence in so many ways, but I have neither the time nor the concern, so let me point out one thing- HE SAID HE HAS AN IPOD TOUCH. NOT an iPhone. idiot...
@Pismodude : Wrong. He said iPhone. Quote:
"2. Wait for the iPhone SDK."
I don't think I'm the idiot here...
@michael
Yeah, you are. I quote: "my iPod touch is allowing me to comment"
Ergo- he has an iPod Touch, and is waiting for the iPhone SDK. Thanks for playing, and have a nice day.;-)
@pismodude : Ok, I was wrong. But all the other things I said were true.
I don't get why he would comment about an SDK that wouldn't matter to him anyways. Talk about double standards.
@michael
Remember how you told john that he didn't know squat about Zunes?
Yeah, well, this isn't exactly your turf bud. The iPhone SDK is for
the iPod Touch and the iPhone. LINK:
http://www.tuaw.com/2007/10/17/apple-we-plan-to-have-an-iphone-sdk-in-developers-hands-in-fe/
Pismodude,
That has nothing to do with the SDK.
Also, comparing the Zune to the iPod Touch is a joke.
The closest you can get storage wise is 32 GB, and even then the iPod Touch costs double the amount of a Zune 80.
@Guzzle
It costs twice as much, but it's ok, because it has twice the screen
resolution, twice the battery life, and a thousand times the
potential!!!
What we were talking about had everything to do with the SDK!
Michael and I have been commenting back and forth, if you are going to jump into the conversation, then I suggest you read our previous posts, that may clear things up for you!
@pismodude: I'm not a developer of any kind, so usually news of such isn't at all my cup of tea. I know that the iPhone/Touch SDK hasn't come for awhile, and it's made some disappointed.
So I don't know that the SDK for the iPhone and Touch is the same. John doesn't either, if he's saying iPhone SDK, but not Touch SDK which would apply to him more, since he's not an iPhone user.
So give up already. At least I'm not trying to throw insults as much as you and John are. Read through the previous postings, and you guys are the ones sparking all this. So stop already. I usually don't get dragged into such long responding, but I think I'm going to call it quits today. You can keep up the childish backlash if you wish.
@Pismodude
It doesn't matter that your replying to the comment on a iPod touch. My touch is sitting next to me charging. I'm replying on my computer because it's a hell of a lot quicker then hunting and pecking the touch screen.
But how many games can I play on my touch right now? Answer: none. Zero. Unless I want to jailbreak it. I did that once and it reset on me. I had nothing until I was able to get home to restore it.
As for the Zune. I'll be picking one up. I need something for when I'm working out. And I don't think I want to test if the touch can handle it.
When the SDK comes out for the Touch / iPhone I'm sure we will see games. However it's not out so I don't see any games.
@CaptCaveman
IS EVERYONE ON ENGADGET TODAY A TOTAL MORON??? I DON"T EVEN OWN AN IPOD TOUCH!!! WTF GUYS?????
@michael
THE IPHONE SDK IS THE IPOD TOUCH SDK, IT IS CALLED THE IPHONE SDK (probably because the iPhone and iPod Touch will run the same apps) AND YOUR PREVIOUS ARGUMENT TELLING JOHN THAT HE SHOULD HAVE KNOWN ABOUT THE SECOND KIND OF ZUNE APPLIES HERE. YOU CAN"T DIS SOMETHING IF YOU DON"T KNOW ANYTHING ABOUT IT!!!!!!!!!!!!
THIS IS MY LAST POST, GOOD DAY!
@John who said: "The Zune may have had wifi first, but my iPod touch is allowing me to comment on this pathetic comment. I dare you to respond from your Zune."
I dare you to quote me when replying (c/p LOL)
What's a 'Zune'?
By definition: it is a type of particularly unattractive brick used to make homes for the poor.
question: can you brick a brick?
Good one Frank, you have me rolling on the floor with the originality of your comment. I'm proud to say I just ordered mine on Amazon and it's shipping the 21st. Putting my Gigabeat to rest after 3 years of good service.
Ah, smug fanboys at it's finest.
http://zune.net/
Type "Zune" into any search engine like Google, Live, or Y!, and it will spit out this link.
Good one Reader, you had ME rolling on the floor by saying you just bought one! Oh my, stepping up from a gigabeat too. Gonna be some sleepless nights at that house.
Sorry you feel the need to bash other products because you're bitter about spending money on an iPod like an idiot.
Seriously grow up, there are other choice out there. You can make Zune vs iTouch comparisons all day long, but the fact of the matter is that the Zune is better than the iPod classic no questions asked. It also happens to be competing with the iPod Classic, it's nothing like a iTouch.
lol, cmon, lowest rank on making a brick out of brick? that's not a fanboy statement it's a joke. you zune fanboys need to get out of the house more.
choice in portable music players FTW. fanboyism and no sense of humor = FAIL
a zune is a poor mp3 design, that when you try to watch a movie you have to turn side ways also leaving all the navigation keys sideways, it's good for music but as a movie player its kind of awkward
I don't see how it's awkward. When you turn it sideways, the touchpad works the same because it changes what direction volume is, etc.
Has anyone wondered if the trackpad could eventually function as a touchpad that could be used for internet browsing on the zune?
it was one of the first things to pop into my head. screw games, this is a first class devkit. port me a browser, dammit.
i wonder how long it'll take to make a Facebook app?
One day we over at Rockbox will have our Zune breakthrough. We just have to figure out the legality of cracking a VeriSign signature on a drive.
Rockbox + Zune = Perfection.
or, more simply:
Rockbox = Perfection.
To really understand what this means, if you have any interest in programming, go here:
http://creators.xna.com/
You will find out that you can develop, with applications and utilities provided for free by Microsoft.
From that aspect alone, there will be more developers on XNA, as opposed to studios being created for SONY, which just dropped it's dev kit prices last November 2007.
http://www.gamesindustry.biz/content_page.php?aid=30736
Microsoft just makes things more accessible for new developers, and those are the ones that will bring out crazy ideas, because large companies sometimes can't take the risk on burning money on ideas that MIGHT make money.
I'm going through the headache of porting Johnny Lee's C# code to Visual C++ with Dark GDK, I hope I can finish this year.
Wow, the apple fanboys sure got their panties in a twist tonight. This is great news for Zune owner (Zune 30 here) & fencesitters and meh news for everyone else that isn't an XNA dev. It kills me how the fanboys (M$ and apple alike) start barking at each other in posts like this. If you have a touch/iphone and love it, good for you. If you think Zunes the shizzle, enjoy. But the flame wars are just plain stupid, your not going to change each others mind. It's like trying to convince an 80 year old racist the error of his ways. He wraps his hate around him like a warm blanket, much like fanboys fan the flames to keep their frozen hearts beating.
Christ, do they let people over 12 years old post here?
I sure hope so, I'm many multiples of that age now.
definitely getting an 80 now
tax returns FTW
goddamn romanian spam GO AWAY
Yes, XNA is built upon .NET, which was built by Microsoft, but is also part of the Mono project to bring .NET to Linux.
This does mean it will have the largest developer footprint for potential games. Microsoft's Live Anywhere strategy is really starting to take shape, as you can develop for all major platforms today with the .NET framework.
I'm posting what I find on the net about games for Zune at:
http://www.jeftek.com/media/zune/xbox-live-games-now-on-zune/
Here's my point, i bought an itouch, but honestly its just far too much money for me to feel comfortable having it be an mp3 player that gets internet and whatever. so i got a zune 80, why did i get it? Is it because i have to only like Microsoft or Apple products? No, its just because i like the zune better and it fits my wallet. Cant we all just get along?
I love how no matter what topic( as long as it's a major vendor ) there are always arguments. I find myself actually reading these posts for the story's less than the news. God bless Apple's mono. BTW I like the idea of having games on a ZUNE and even though I know it would probably be utter crap, I still find myself waiting for the ZUNE to get web browsing like the iTouch.
Sony NWZ-A815 all teh way
i will kill someone if i can't add the games to my new 80gb zune when the games come out.it will also be a rip off too.i hope i can add the games to the zunes that are out now.
Ok so i heard about this, but my questions is....i have a zune and when i got to settings > about > zune i have version 2.3....will have to get a new zune to play games or is there a filmware patch waiting to come out to take me to 3.0.