View Full Version : Zune Gaming Video Tour
CaptStu
02-21-2008, 01:49 PM
From Gizmodo (http://www.gizmodo.com):
It's important to keep in mind that this announcement is still in the early stages of development, and we won't see any finished products, on the business or creative side, anytime soon. But this quick video walkthrough gives us an idea of what to expect in terms of development, API integration, and wireless gaming.
Also touched on was the possiblilty or API integration, where stored media on the Zune could be used in games, and wireless gaming, opening the possibility for internet or ad-hoc connectivity. While no commercial distribution model is in place, the early SDK will be available to anyone with a XNA Creators Club membership and created games can be shared amongst members.
View The Video Here (http://gizmodo.com/359374/video-tour-and-details-of-zune-games-and-sdk)
As a Zune owner, I am looking forward to this. It's going to get me to upgrade to the newer 80 model soon.
Telefrog
02-21-2008, 02:18 PM
I need this. I need this. I need this. I need this. I need this. I need this. I need this. I need this. I need this. I need this. I need this. I need this. I need this. I need this.
Seriously.
IrishWhiskey
02-21-2008, 02:27 PM
I'd trade all the gaming functionality in the world, if they'd just fix that stupid broken software. Or just give us the option of using the old style.
Yeti2005
02-21-2008, 02:34 PM
I can't remember if it was Fits or Baps who said this but it along the lines of "XNA doesn't necessarily have to be used to make games". Creating extra apps on the Zune could be pretty cool.
agentgray
02-21-2008, 02:36 PM
I have a Zune and I saw this and went.
Haha. Right.
Magnanimous Gnome
02-21-2008, 03:14 PM
It's about time the Zune started to catch up with the iPod. ;)
Stryfe01
02-21-2008, 03:44 PM
It is about time. The Zune gets crap, but it is a great media player. The PC software just sucks big time.
Sl1pstream
02-21-2008, 03:53 PM
Wireless multiplayer? Awesome. Now all they need to do is launch the Zune in Europe. If not, I'm making a US Zunetag.
Yea, sure. Question, here the hell is my clock? EQ settings, calendar/contacts, alarms, notes, stop watch, volume limit, or a screen combination lock? How about updating the slow ass software that tells me there is an update to the software, but then sits on the update screen acting like there isn't a connection? "Discover something New" indeed. And yes, I have firmware v2.2. I was excited when they announced that we were all getting the new firmware when the new zunes came out, but um, other than the super sized fonts on the main menu, none of the other pieces other than wifi were addressed.
Games are nice, but I'd take functionality over games.
Sl1pstream
02-21-2008, 04:04 PM
Yea, sure. Question, here the hell is my clock? EQ settings, calendar/contacts, alarms, notes, stop watch, volume limit, or a screen combination lock? How about updating the slow ass software that tells me there is an update to the software, but then sits on the update screen acting like there isn't a connection? "Discover something New" indeed. And yes, I have firmware v2.2. I was excited when they announced that we were all getting the new firmware when the new zunes came out, but um, other than the super sized fonts on the main menu, none of the other pieces other than wifi were addressed.
Games are nice, but I'd take functionality over games.
I can see the clock and maybe the alarm, but a calendar, contacts, notes and a stopwatch? My phone does all that.
Maybe you should buy a smartphone, which plays music, instead of expecting your mp3 player to have smartphone functionality.
Came from an iPod family to this. When people mention how superior the Zune is, I look at what I'm used to seeing coming from that side of the fence. For everything it has going for it, when a software company cannot the the software right, well, doesn't really instill hope that it gets fixed until a new(er) model(s) release. Just my own terribly biased opinion.
As far as contacts/notes, yes, don't use it. Calendar I do, as well as the volume limit setting so the volume doesn't get cranked over 85dB and blow out my ears.
Sl1pstream
02-21-2008, 04:21 PM
You do realize that you can adjust the volume, right? Like, on the go.
While the windows client isn't my favorite either, there are ways of using other apps to sync your zune.
I still haven't had any problems with the software that's on the Zune itself. It's a mediaplayer, I still don't see why it should have a calendar function when even the simplest cell phone has a calendar these days.
The newer model release won't even matter, since you'll probably be able to download the newer software for your current player.
ElektroDragon
02-21-2008, 05:00 PM
It's awesome that I will be able to play games on my 80GB Zune. The PC software is actually good if you learn how to work around its 1000 bugs, restrictions, and shortcomings.
Pureboy
02-21-2008, 05:15 PM
Its cool and all, but I would just rather they don't leak power like its going out of style.
Mr.Zip
02-21-2008, 05:28 PM
Its cool and all, but I would just rather they don't leak power like its going out of style.
Are you turning it off or putting it in sleep mode? I used to think the same thing and then realized I wasn't turning it off :o
You do realize that you can adjust the volume, right? Like, on the go.
OK, I guess I'm not explaining this well enough, but a volume limit means that I can set a limit as to how far the volume will turn up. Ever accidentally hit the volume up button instead of next? Or, better yet, ever have a song that was quiet, then have a really loud one take out your ears? Well, on the iPod I can set a maximum volume to less than the max volume the MP3 player will go. If a loud song goes on in my playlist, I'm not scraping up brain matter off of the sidewalk.
While the windows client isn't my favorite either, there are ways of using other apps to sync your zune.
Right. The solution that Microsoft came up with isn't elegant. They tried to dumb down the software with the 2.0 release. Again, I'm used to iTunes handling media, so I can sort and change how I view my library. The zune software points you to where your media folders are, but they don't have the ability to customize views, or at least not that I've found.
I still haven't had any problems with the software that's on the Zune itself. It's a mediaplayer, I still don't see why it should have a calendar function when even the simplest cell phone has a calendar these days.
First, remember the clock/alarm thing? I can set a reminder that I need to be somewhere at a certain time. If I have my headphones on, and my phone in my pocket, I miss the calendar event if I don't hear it. If you set it up its pretty cool. As far as the media player aspect, didn't the Zune people slam on Apple for not having an FM radio built in? I'm like "its an MP3 player, not a walkman". Still, its nice to have just in case.
Pureboy
02-21-2008, 08:19 PM
Are you turning it off or putting it in sleep mode? I used to think the same thing and then realized I wasn't turning it off :oThat is a workaround, not a fix. Sleep mode should not drain about as much power as playing an endless playlist. I shouldn't have to press a combo of buttons and then boot up my player each time I want to use it. If I don't, its dead in less than half a day.
Schnoogs
02-21-2008, 08:21 PM
kick mother fucking ass
Hexxagonal
02-21-2008, 10:21 PM
@MrE
By "customizing views" do you mean choosing the columns in the list view... you right click... that can't be what your trying to get at as that's the standard.
The iPod didn't originally have that either... they had to add it because the iPod goes above the safe volume level for your ears. Law suits tend to do that.
http://www.engadget.com/2006/03/29/apple-to-introduce-ipod-volume-limiter/
Yeti2005
02-22-2008, 05:25 AM
Yea, sure. Question, here the hell is my clock? EQ settings, calendar/contacts, alarms, notes, stop watch, volume limit, or a screen combination lock?
I too am frustrated that my music player is not a PDA. I'm also frustrated that the car I bought only drives on roads and doesn't fly :rolleyes:
This thread is going to quickly degenerate into my ipod is better than everything debate isn't it?
Sl1pstream
02-22-2008, 03:39 PM
As far as the media player aspect, didn't the Zune people slam on Apple for not having an FM radio built in? I'm like "its an MP3 player, not a walkman". Still, its nice to have just in case.
Media player.
They both play movies, so it's not like they're just mp3 players.
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