Zune To Have Games By 2008

[Gorvi]

According to an article over at Bloomberg (http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=newsarchive&sid=a5G_U4Wv8fZU), Microsoft plans to start releaseing games for it's Zune portable music player by the end of 2008.

Peter Moore, a vice president in the company's Xbox video- game business, confirmed the plan yesterday, saying the Zune's large screen will offer a better way to play handheld games. He didn't specify what games would be offered.

``I love the interface, I love the screen,'' Moore said at a dinner with reporters during the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas.

I really don't get why this would be an attractive platform for games. It's a bad idea on the iPod, it remains a bad idea on the Zune. Well, time will tell if people actually buy these games.

[Abednigo]

I'd be curious to know the numbers for the games sold for the iPod and if they're selling well or not. I haven't bought a single one.

[Magnanimous Gnome]

I think much bigger news came from Apple today - AppleTV, iPhone, and a name change to Apple Inc., dropping computer from the name.

No real surprises since these things had been speculated for months (well maybe not the name change), but Apple is definitely keeping everyone on their toes these days.

[captainspankypants]

I have a lot of trouble imaging a game where a track wheel interface would be preferable to any other option. Of course, I've never played any iPod games, because I have other handheld game systems to utilize.

[Gorvi]

I have a lot of trouble imaging a game where a track wheel interface would be preferable to any other option. Of course, I've never played any iPod games, because I have other handheld game systems to utilize.

I've tried playing the solitaire game that's built into my iPod, but it's just a pain in the ass. Meh, I don't see the appeal.

[Telefrog]

I'm curious about the iPod game sales as well. Have they done well enough to be a force? Let's not even bother with the implications the poor selling Zune would have.

[violentp]

Let me hook up a 360 controller to it and play some mini Geometry Wars.

Mmmmmm, maybe not.

[Headcase]

I want the opposite; MP3 playback on the DS (without hax). I heard they have it in Japan (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Play-Yan). The PSP is really the only device that lets you do it all, and not without a pretty high price and a whole lot of bullshit (or so I've heard), and it's still not teeming with worthwhile games either.

Anyone else surprised that fewer companies are fighting to get an affordable all-in-one device out there?

[Gorvi]

I want the opposite; MP3 playback on the DS (without hax). I heard they have it in Japan (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Play-Yan). The PSP is really the only device that lets you do it all, and not without a pretty high price and a whole lot of bullshit (or so I've heard), and it's still not teeming with worthwhile games either.

Anyone else surprised that fewer companies are fighting to get an affordable all-in-one device out there?

There is an MP3 Player (http://www.gamebrink.com/nintendo-ds/2312-Nintendo_MP3_Player-reviews.html) for the DS, although from all accounts I've seen, actually getting it up and running puts the cost at about what you'd pay for a PSP. I believe it's only available in Japan and Europe right now.

[Metal Jesus]

Add a HDD or 8 gig flash card to a PSP and you'd have all of this and more! Why people would want this on the Zune (or current iPod), I have no idea.

[Borys]

Zune is fucking dead already, DEAD.

http://www.apple.com/iphone/

Nobody will even look on it now.

Apple delivers yet again :O

[smith186]

I really don't get why this would be an attractive platform for games. It's a bad idea on the iPod, it remains a bad idea on the Zune. Well, time will tell if people actually buy these games.Depending on the game selection, it might not be terrible, especially if it can use the wireless to integrate with Live. I could see Uno, Texas Hold'em, or other not-quite-realtime games being pretty successful with portable versions. Some classic arcade games might work too, though I don't have any personal experience with the Zune button feel/layout to be able to judge. It could also be part of a hardware revision - there has to be at least one in progress within MS.

It can't be worse than playing games on a cellphone, and I've played a few that were entertaining enough to pass the time away when I didn't have a GameBoy.

[Twinkie]

There is an MP3 Player (http://www.gamebrink.com/nintendo-ds/2312-Nintendo_MP3_Player-reviews.html) for the DS, although from all accounts I've seen, actually getting it up and running puts the cost at about what you'd pay for a PSP. I believe it's only available in Japan and Europe right now.
To be fair, gamebrink claims that a 1gig sd card will run you $50 (hell, my 1gig sd micro only cost me 20), so it's not quite as expensive as they claim.

Personally, I'm going to be really tempted to buy this (http://www.divineo.com/cgi-bin/div-us/dd-ds-simply) once it finally goes on sale. Pop a micro sd in and you're good to go. Delicious.

[Yeti2005]

Zune is fucking dead already, DEAD.

http://www.apple.com/iphone/

Nobody will even look on it now.

Apple delivers yet again :O

So who's regretting getting an ipod recently when you know the iphone's interface will be in the next ipod?

[IrishWhiskey]

I have a lot of trouble imaging a game where a track wheel interface would be preferable to any other option. Of course, I've never played any iPod games, because I have other handheld game systems to utilize.

Well, the Zune uses something resembling a Dpad more than a track wheel. It just looks circular. Therefore retro arcade games, solitare, sudoku, breakout etc would work just fine.

Given its hacking potential, we are likely to see emulators of those games on Zune before late 2008. In fact the huge time gap strongly suggests that its not meant for the current iteration on Zune. MSoft has said before the "Zune is a brand, not a device", and that it will include Zune VG players, dedicated PMPs and Phones.

Late 2008 sounds about right to launch the next version of the Zune. Not a small upgrade, but a whole new device. Like the difference between the shuffle and the Ipod video. If we are going to see a portable Xbox, this is probably the closest we'll get.

[Maskatron]

Some games work pretty well on the iPod. Zuma for example. The Poker game is also pretty decent.

[51|RandoM]

Zune was stillborn. If there is still something Zuneish coming out of Microsoft in 2008 it'll be the Zune360 or somesuch, not the already failed Zune.

And why on earth are people comparing the iphone to the zune? I just don't get it. One is a flash-based smartphone sporting a pocket-sized BSD implementation, the other is a blackbox portable media player.

[Loganrapp]

As soon as I get a girl pregnant and as soon as she gives birth to a son, I will sell her and my firstborn to buy one of these.

[TheEpicOfTyler]

I don't understand the Zune hate personally. I have one and I would never consider an iPod after this.

Well... unless they have something totally amazing up their sleeve.

[Gorvi]

I don't understand the Zune hate personally. I have one and I would never consider an iPod after this.

Well... unless they have something totally amazing up their sleeve.

I think the problem is MS didn't do enough to make the Zune stand out from the iPod. I have a 30GB iPod video, and I don't feel compelled to drop that and grab a Zune. Now, if I were shopping between the 2, I could go either way, but I can still see people leaning towards the iPod simply because of the almighty brand recognition. If the Zune were $50 cheaper than it is now, or had a feature that sets it apart that's not practically useless, they'd be ok, but not with the way they've done things.

[saulob]

they will release ZuMa (that game from popcap) on Zune ? :D .. that will be fun.. haha

.. edit: yes, its Zuma, sorry :P ahahhaha

[IrishWhiskey]

I think the problem is MS didn't do enough to make the Zune stand out from the iPod. I have a 30GB iPod video, and I don't feel compelled to drop that and grab a Zune. Now, if I were shopping between the 2, I could go either way, but I can still see people leaning towards the iPod simply because of the almighty brand recognition. If the Zune were $50 cheaper than it is now, or had a feature that sets it apart that's not practically useless, they'd be ok, but not with the way they've done things.

Thats the most reasonable criticism of the Zune I've read on this thread so far.

Seriously, everyone who is writing mocking, simplistic posts about how its a crap device and a blunder just looks like an idiot. If you think some quality or aspect of the device detracts from its usage, or if you think it won't be profitable and will hurt Microsoft, feel free to post your thoughts. But don't lower the quality of Evil Avatar with Slashdot quality posts along the line of: "LOL PS3/Zune/PSP/Macs/Linux/Wahtever isn't selling well and sux and everyone hates it. Down with that stupid evil faceless multinational corporation and up with the great evil faceless multinational corporation I support!"


I agree Gorvi, that if my IPod hadn't broken, I wouldn't have dumped it for a Zune. Its not a bit enough improvement. However when I had to get a new one, I saw that the Zune had more features and a nicer interface. Its not very much better, but its different and fun. I strongly suspect the Zune will still turn a profit for Microsoft, and that Toshiba, Sansa and Creative have no problem surviving with less market share than Apple. And to be honest, I don't care whether any of them make money or marketshare or whatever. All I care about is my experience as a consumer.

[Sl1pstream]

they will release Zuna (that game from popcap) on Zune ? :D .. that will be fun.. haha

HAHAHAHA YOU MISSPELLED ZUMA!!!!1!!1!11

You fail at trolling.

[J3DI]

I like the Zune's screen I think if more people were aware of how nice it was it would sale more. after messing with a dispaly unit I'd buy one over an ipod (if I didn't have a 2gb card in my treo) and I would more than likely buy games for it, just because they atr available.

I wish I had a pretty screen Zune with me know, itd make this visit to the VA hospital almost bearable :(

[Guy Mariano]

Are people actually buying the Zune? I seriously have no idea.

[Heretic Machine]

I don't get it... I thought the ability to play Live Anywhere games was one of it's touted features? Now they're saying that it will be able to do that TWO YEARS after the product line launches? I'm really losing my interest in consumer electronics, it seems like they're all scams and broken promises.

[Paltry]

They should use tilt, pitch, etc used in the wii with phones and handhelds like this. It would be a good way of stream lining controls without having to add a bunch of fugly buttons.

[Grifter]

Seriously, everyone who is writing mocking, simplistic posts about how its a crap device and a blunder just looks like an idiot. If you think some quality or aspect of the device detracts from its usage, or if you think it won't be profitable and will hurt Microsoft, feel free to post your thoughts. But don't lower the quality of Evil Avatar with Slashdot quality posts along the line of: "LOL PS3/Zune/PSP/Macs/Linux/Wahtever isn't selling well and sux and everyone hates it. Down with that stupid evil faceless multinational corporation and up with the great evil faceless multinational corporation I support!"

Look at the people posting those comments, most of them are on the Sony Defense Force. They probably just think they finally have a chance to bash Microsoft for the first time in a year and a half without being called out and made to look like fools. Looks like they may be right, only time will tell.

A friend of mine has a Zune and it is definitely a nice looking piece of hardware but being that I have very little experience with either I-Pod or Zune I really don't know how it stacks up to the competition outside of the great display. I know he says the organization and music search feature can be a pain in the ass and judging by the 360s organization of content that is probably an understatement.

[IrishWhiskey]

I know he says the organization and music search feature can be a pain in the ass and judging by the 360s organization of content that is probably an understatement.
Its definately true for the PC Zune library software. even worse is the install process. Although iTunes is hardly great for organizing either. In both cases MediaMonkey is better. But the folder and organizing on the player itself is great, and actually one of its strong suits..

[maja]

I use to own an iPod until it fell and broke. And now I own a Zune. So from someone who has had both let me say that they are both good. If you currently have an iPod you reallly don't need to switch to a Zune unless you are unhappy with your iPod. That said, the Zune is an excellent piece of equipment. Personally, I like it much better than the iPod. I feel it's easier to navigate, it has a bigger screen that has "widescreen" aspect ratio, and it works 100% with windows, which was my biggest issue with the iPod (or shall I say, iTunes). Also, concidering that it is an MP3 player (plus videos and pictures) to me it really doesn't matter if it's "already dead". Bottom line is that it plays all my music and works 100% with Windows. Wether or not it is the number 1 mp3 player or dead tomorrow will not affect the fact that it rocks. It's not a game console where you need game companies to support your system for it to be enjoyable. Comprende?

[Dr Quincy]

But will I be able to play games on my iPhone?

[Yellowman]

I just want to chime in on the whole Zune thing. As interesting a device as it is I think I will wait to see what the next iPod looks like, especially after looking at the iPhone. I want an acceleramotor that senses widescreen mode! Thats seriously cool. Although to be fair I wouldn't buy the Zune because I use a Mac, and iTunes on a mac is a nice integrated solution. Also I doubt the Zune supports OSX so I'd have to boot to Windows to manage music, a big pain in the ass. Microsoft don't make it easy for me...

[51|RandoM]

I don't understand the Zune hate personally. I have one and I would never consider an iPod after this.

Well... unless they have something totally amazing up their sleeve.

It isn't Zune hate, it is an objective look at features vs. price.

Zune doesn't offer anything useful that can't be had elsewhere for less.

[51|RandoM]

Look at the people posting those comments, most of them are on the Sony Defense Force. They probably just think they finally have a chance to bash Microsoft for the first time in a year and a half without being called out and made to look like fools. Looks like they may be right, only time will tell.
.

you're an idiot. It doesn't have anything to do with Sony for fuck's sake.

If I want to bash Microsoft, I have plenty of avenues to do so.

look at the zune feature set.
look at the zune price.
look at the zune software.

Everything is available elsewhere for less money.

I AM NOT TALKING ABOUT THE IPOD.

If there is a defense force active in this thread, it isn't defending Sony...

The people who have a Zune are defending it, but you'll notice they're not defending it with any facts about how well it does anything. The only positive comment in the thread is that it has a nice screen. That might make it an outstanding music player for a deaf person, but it doesn't do a whole hell of a lot for the rest of us.

[violentp]

I for one own a Zune, I don't use it for anything but watching movies on the road, and I have to admit I don't feel gyped. That's about the extent of my opinion on the matter.

[BabyJesus]

I have a Zune and and iPod and I prefer the Zune is most cases.. Sure its a little bigger, but the screen is beautiful and the OS is really nice compared to the iPod. I do admit that the iPhone looks super, some of the integration looks fantastic. I am tempted to get one but doubt I'd change my carrier, and can't until 2008 anyway, I also get a huge discount from my company on my bill and phone and accessories.

[BabyJesus]

It isn't Zune hate, it is an objective look at features vs. price.

Zune doesn't offer anything useful that can't be had elsewhere for less.

The same can be said for the iPod.

[51|RandoM]

The same can be said for the iPod.

...no shit. I wouldn't buy an ipod either.

Good thing I never said the ipod was better, did I?

If it was a choice between just the ipod and just the zune, I'd have to get the ipod because the software integration and online store is about a million times better with the ipod.

Fortunately, I'm aware of other brands that bring quite a bit more to the table than Microsoft and Apple.

[Schnoogs]

51|Random making friends as usual.....what was I here to say? Oh yeah...

My only interest in this is as a developer and nerd...I hope that they release the API's to develop our own games...something along the lines of XNA. That would definitly get me interested in buying a Zune.

I read somewhere that apple has pretty much locked down game development for the iPod and developed all of the current games in house. Even going so far as to neglect companies that have traditionally been Mac game houses. Not the best relationship to have with your supporters...

[51|RandoM]

The only real chance the Zune had to shine was with Wi-Fi and Microsoft horribly bungled that.

You need something like that, something new that is actually very useful/cool/effective if you want to out-ipod the ipod, which is what Microsoft is trying to do.

That is the only way to get the attention of a significant portion of the ipod crowd, who're the largest segment of the pmp market. The other segment of the market is looking for extensive feature set, support of open formats, long battery life, and durability, and we don't buy ipods or zunes. That segment is pretty small, though, which is why they get ignored by Microsoft and Apple, but catered to by Cowon, Sandisk, I-river, etc.

The sad part is if they hadn't bungled Wi-Fi support, they would've had a feature that pulled in both segments of the pmp market.

Long story short, if you're going to try to out-ipod the ipod, you have to do a hell of a lot better than the Zune.

I'm not saying the Zune isn't a capable player, or that it doesn't get the job done, I'm just saying that isn't enough in today's pmp market.

[BabyJesus]

...no shit. I wouldn't buy an ipod either.

Good thing I never said the ipod was better, did I?

If it was a choice between just the ipod and just the zune, I'd have to get the ipod because the software integration and online store is about a million times better with the ipod.

Fortunately, I'm aware of other brands that bring quite a bit more to the table than Microsoft and Apple.

Thats fine, but given the choice I'd go with the Zune. The zune software works fine for me. I have had zero issues using it buying a couple songs to play around and syncing the player.. They do need to fix a few issues with the album art and deleting of content but other than those two little issues it has been at least as easy to use as iTunes. They also need to get some video content up as well.

[51|RandoM]

Thats fine, but given the choice I'd go with the Zune. The zune software works fine for me. I have had zero issues using it buying a couple songs to play around and syncing the player.. They do need to fix a few issues with the album art and deleting of content but other than those two little issues it has been at least as easy to use as iTunes. They also need to get some video content up as well.


...you're saying you're willing to live with the areas the Zune is not *yet* competitive with the Ipod.

Fine, I don't have any problem with that, I wish you much joy of your Zune. That said, your contentment in that situation does not invalidate any of my points.

I'm saying the majority of the market isn't content to switch from Ipod to Zune knowing those limitations exist... nor ultimately, should they be.

Again, I'm not slamming the Zune, I'm just saying it has to be a much better all around platform than it is to begin to scratch the Ipod marketshare.

Furthermore, I'm also saying that Microsoft will do what it always does in this situation. Discontinue the model that didn't catch on and bring out a new one(xbox>360, for instance). They'll keep doing that till they do find the Ipod killer, if they're commited to owning significant marketshare in that particular market.

That is why my original statement was that it won't be Zune in 2008, it'll be zune360 or whatever they call the next one.

[KingGorilla]

Again, what is the damn point of having one now?

[51|RandoM]

Again, what is the damn point of having one now?

Other than the "anythingbutipod" effect? There isn't a point, at least in terms of one that makes it a clearly better choice than any other.

Oh man, check out today's Penny Arcade comic today.

I'll warn you ahead of time, it is titled, "The Microsoft Zune 2006-2006".


heheheh.

[motor]

Yeah, it's over for Zune. Total out matched by Apple.

[Camtron]

I don't have an Ipod or a Zune (I'm straining to be happy with my PSP as a music player with the gig stick), but I really want to like the Zune. I see so many Ipods around and, don't get me wrong the technology deserves the praise, I just would love to find that hidden gem of an mp3 player to catch a break as Apple did. The next generation of Zune might hit its stride as the Apple moves to support the iPhone (MAN if that thing wasn't 500 dollars).

[maja]

RandoM so which pmp do you recommend? Which is this "cheaper-better" product that I am missing out on? Cause honestly, the best music player I've owned up to now is called the Rio Karma, souly for the feature that it could cross-fade my music. I wish the Zune could do that (and I wish the Xbox360 would too :( ) But like the iPod I dropped my Karma and it broke. And they don't make it anymore. And I've dropped my Zune once and it didn't break. Not saying the Zune is drop-proof but atleast it didn't break on the first drop lol. So anyway, which pmp is superior?