XNA Game Studio preview with Zune games now out

Well, that was fast, the XNA community technology preview with Zune games we were just talking about is already out. Unless you're a developer ready to get your hands a little dirty it won't be of much use though, especially since games can only be distributed and installed from source code right now.

Read - Official announcement
Read - How-to install Zune games

[Jordan @ May 8th 2008 12:35AM]

Awesome. I'll wait for it to be easier to install. Should be soon.

[Ace b @ May 8th 2008 12:40AM]

Agreed

[Reader @ May 8th 2008 12:53AM]

I'm really tempted to try to download it and all... Guess I should wait though.

[Jordan @ May 8th 2008 12:54AM]

I lied, I'm installing everything right now. Anybody find any other games besides the two in the tutorial?

[LPXXFAINTXX @ May 8th 2008 1:03AM]

Unfortunately, not yet. Keep an eye out at http://www.zuneboards.com/forums/zune-games-171/ "Download Completed Games" section.

[cmsb @ May 8th 2008 1:08AM]

I just installed the galactic warriors game on my Zune 80 and it took a while but was not very difficult at all.

[Jordan @ May 8th 2008 1:17AM]

"1.1.1. Zune Development Is Not Supported on 64-Bit Operating Systems

The XNA Game Studio 3.0 (Preview) does not support development of games for Zune if XNA Game Studio 3.0 (Preview) is installed on a 64-bit operating system such as Windows XP Pro x64 Edition or the x64 versions of Windows Vista®." ~ http://creators.xna.com/XNA3CTP/readme_xna.htm

Unfortunate... I can't install it.

[Jordan @ May 8th 2008 2:20AM]

Sweet! I got it to work off of my XP PC. I only have a 1st gen Zune so I can't install one of the games. But it works well (if you don't have a 64-bit system.)

[Jordan @ May 8th 2008 2:32AM]

Sorry to post about 80,000 times but I found at http://www.zuneboards.com/forums/download-completed-games/23614-ctp-galactic-wars-3-thrust.html instructions on how to work the second game on 1st gen Zunes.

[West Hubbard @ May 8th 2008 1:05AM]

I

[West Hubbard @ May 8th 2008 1:06AM]

For whatever reason my whole comment was not posted:

I

[Rakar @ May 8th 2008 1:08AM]

Massive Failure.

[West Hubbard @ May 8th 2008 1:08AM]

Bahhh. It won't let me post a greater than symbol. Then it just deletes everything after it.

[Jordan @ May 8th 2008 1:19AM]

Have you heard of HTML? Post the ascii code for the greater than symbol instead. Google it.

[West Hubbard @ May 8th 2008 1:32AM]

I < 3 Zune

[Jordan @ May 8th 2008 1:34AM]

Success!

[fragge @ May 8th 2008 2:12AM]

YOU DID IT! /clap

[DeoWulf @ May 8th 2008 3:56PM]

That's a less than symbol anyway.

[Zeus.:God @ May 8th 2008 1:40AM]

Cue a useless, fanboy induced argument started by Jubei in 5... 4... 3... 2... 1...

[Zooks:.Cod @ May 8th 2008 5:34AM]

And you're not a fanboy? Give us a break, Not only do you denegrate (look it up), anyone who dislikes the Zune, you have the nerve to think anyone who supports Apple is somehow in the wrong.
If I were you I'd go back to being a redneck, college boy and forget about commenting on technology that you clearly don't understand or appreciate.
Twerp.

[Zeus.:God @ May 8th 2008 9:42AM]

Oh Mr Zooks:.Cod... You sir, are incorrect, sir. I am not a fanboy sir, however, Jubei clearly is. I'm open to people's likes, but I'm not open the the fanboyism and blind hate for Microsoft that Jubei houses in his tiny little brain. If you prefer Apple, so be it, I could care less- just don't bad-mouth the competition for no reason. I don't do it, sir, but thats the funny thing- I'm considered a fanboy after giving no signs of being one, just because I defend the Zune when some Apple zealot tries to reinvent the wheel and say "whats a Zune" for the 1 millionth time or says something about how it has failed because it hasn't sold 100 million units.

I'm so glad you could set me straight, Mr... I was so wrong about this, sir. I'm clearly the fanboy- Jubei is nothing but a loyal poster with a VERY good taste in electronics. God knows Apple only has the finest of electronics and the depth of them and their quality is unmatched. Also, you're right. I, as a computer technician and networker for a few local businesses don't know the technology that goes into the iPod or the Zune... Let alone computers. I have no idea- I just stick something here, stick something there- its like those shapes as a child where you have to put the square, circle, and triangle in the right holes... I mean, I know nothing. Honestly, thank you for setting me straight, Mr. Mockery- I would assume that by your idiotic attempt to mock me and try to defend Jubei (directly or indirectly doesn't matter), I would assume that you are Jubei himself... Oh what a surprise that would be... Considering no one but hard core Apple fans (fanboys) would ever agree with him wholeheartedly or ever actually defend him.

Good day.

[Zeus.:God @ May 8th 2008 9:59AM]

Oh, Jubei, as its obviously you using a different email address, it's "denigrate", and you're wrong, I only do that when someone is being stupid.

[Jubei @ May 8th 2008 11:27AM]

LOL... even an attempt be funny or sarcastic from you resulted in failure, much like the failed Zune device and marketplace. Furthermore your attempt to write with a smidgen of intelligence by "guessing" that the poster was me just sent me in hysterics and uncontrolled laughter. Thanks for the laughs. Keep up the good work.

[Zeus.:God @ May 8th 2008 4:30PM]

Well then, Jubei- I guess we just have two complete retards on our hands. Too bad. I was hoping you were the only problem.

[Jubei @ May 8th 2008 5:05PM]

Ahahaha... even when your measure of intelligence has been proven right before your eyes, your brain is still unable to register your folly. LOL

[Zeus.:God @ May 8th 2008 6:11PM]

Really, Jubei? I'm pretty sure that guy got owned, and considering that everyone KNOWS you're a fanboy, I would say you got owned as well. Your words will never be taken seriously here, and that "Zooks" guy... Well, it's obviously he's not going to be taken seriously with such an immature attitude- Kind of like Tranando on Joystiq.

You've failed. You're trash. Good day.

[Jubei @ May 8th 2008 7:51PM]

Aside from the fact that your first post was completely off topic. Your continued shenanigans has elevated your status by several levels in my book of buffoonery.

If at all possible, I would send you a gift that you can wear on your head like a hat, called a cap n bells, cockscomb, a very distinct headpiece that would perfectly illustrate your very essence. I think it would be a perfect accessory for you. LOL

[Zeus.:God @ May 9th 2008 3:52PM]

Well your book serves no meaning considering you're a troll.

[JefTek @ May 8th 2008 2:27AM]

Weird comments seem borked...

[JefTek @ May 8th 2008 2:30AM]

(Are they unborked yet?)

[SG @ May 8th 2008 2:36AM]

Mr. Ryan Block, that's it??? Just two lines to cover this huge news? Considering that you always bitch about MS delivering late, I didn't see any element of surprise from you. Even there, you managed to play it down with your "it won't be of much use unless.." crap. Compared to the numerous "It's Tuesday!! Apple site is down, oh shit, i wet my pants" posts this is rather under whelming. I wish someone would just launch a gadget blog with none of this bias.

[RevAaron @ May 8th 2008 2:56AM]

Man, these kinds of comments make me laugh. All OL-like, even.

For people who seem to think anyone who uses a Mac or iPod is some foaming at the mouth fanboy, you Zune/MS fanboys sure are irrationally exuberant. Christ, MS's software runs on the majority of computers on this planet- yet you still find something to whine about?

I mean, bias? WTF? Sure, Engadget is biased compared to the kind of unbiased gadget blog that ZuneGuy and a few of you clowns would write. Perhaps that's the answer? I'm sure you guys would cover non-MS products in a *very* unbiased, objective manner! Let's see it happen- the sky's the limit, etc, etc.

/me is wondering why all the Zune fanboys aren't telling MIcrosoft to just to buy a Nintendo DS instead of adding on a shitty API to their PMP. You guys were just telling me that the Zune is such a hardcore PMP that it doesn't and shouldn't have a clock, that putting a clock item burried in the settings menu would be adding too much clutter.

Maybe we can add games to our Zunes, but they'll just be invisible games, with no menu items through which to access them?

I've got an idea- the first game for the Zune will be... a clock! Then I'll sell it on the Marketplace, and we'll see how many of you anti-clockite deviants sell out your ideals and buy it. :D

Just a little hint: Mr. Gates and his company didn't get to be King of the Hill by whining.

[aaron @ May 8th 2008 2:58AM]

agreed... even the way they handled the 2.5 software launch speaks to this.

had itunes been updated (with nowhere near the amount of new features as 2.5 had) we would have seen "the apple store is down" followed by an announcement post then one hour later a first impressions post followed by 2 or 3 posts containing screenshots of every little thing and then a 1000 word review.

yet for zune 2.5 all we got was one post (about the actual software)

[giislander @ May 8th 2008 3:27AM]

Could you imagine what a barren wasteland engadget would be if there was no stories about apple?

[Jordan @ May 8th 2008 3:28AM]

Rev, I have a Zune, but guess what, I wear an Apple headset with it, why? because I don't give a shit whether or not my product is made by Apple, Microsoft, Sony or whoever, as long as it does what I want it efficiently.

Your just as much of a fanboy bastard as the people your bitching about. If you don't like a product you don't have to bitch about it, and then fight with everyone.

Just say what you have to say. Don't bitch. Don't fight. Just state what you think and thats the end.

There isn't and end all worries product for everyone. We're humans, we like different things. We have different tastes. Get over yourself.

[Abuzar @ May 8th 2008 9:18AM]

Jordan, that's all good for making a point and everything... but the Zune headphones are much better, so why would you use the Apple ones?

[Tony @ May 8th 2008 12:50PM]

I own a Zune, and an iPod.

Most people own an iPod, and NOT a Zune.

Infact, much more people own iPods over Zunes.

Therefore, it makes much more sense to provide more iPod related news.

[Jordan @ May 8th 2008 4:14PM]

Yeah, Zune headphones are pretty awesome, but mine broke... and I'm too poor to buy anything else.

[ericdano @ May 8th 2008 2:53AM]

Boy, this is about as exciting as watching a WNBA game.........

[The Return of Moorio @ May 8th 2008 8:03AM]

I think you should put some more periods at the end of your sentence.

[derspiess42 @ May 8th 2008 11:35AM]

Yet more fun that watching the Easy Spirit Playoffs

[Trippy @ May 8th 2008 3:27AM]

Wow, some progress. I was beginning to think my microwave would get games before the Zune.

[Sam Zebian @ May 8th 2008 6:36AM]

I downloaded these last night, can't wait for some newer games... I want to port a game myself, but I don't know how to program any of this stuff (still need to learn), but if anyone does and wants to port a simple Windows mobile game, called doubleskill.

http://www.xflib.net/index.php?action=games&name=DoubleSkill

[Timmy @ May 8th 2008 9:13AM]

Hillary Clinton is to ipod
as
Barack Obama is to Zune

Discuss

[Abuzar @ May 8th 2008 9:24AM]

So Zune brings change while ipod is a bitch?

[Mr. Snuggle Bunny @ May 9th 2008 12:50AM]

This conversation is now about Domestic Battery.

[telepheedian @ May 8th 2008 11:51AM]

Hallelujah, my Zune froze on the reboot screen after exiting, no reboot code accepted. I guess that's why they call it a beta.

[jhoeforth @ May 8th 2008 1:59PM]

Wuuhuu! I just installed the 2 games on my Zune 80!

Zune FTW!

[Jeff Lewis @ May 8th 2008 2:12PM]

Annnd.. I just wrote a basic Clock for the Zune.

There - one more feature filled in. :)

Now to pretty it up and make it more like the iPod clock...

[Mark @ May 8th 2008 5:18PM]

I added one last night to the alien aggressors game too.