MS considering games for Zune
by Kyle Orland 
{ Dec 21st 2006 at 11:00AM }
It's been oft rumored that Microsoft's music-playing, photo-sharing Zune (which was almost called the Xpod) will eventually have some sort of game-playing ability as well. Now, Microsoft Europe Chief Chris Lewis has thrown some more fuel on the rumor fire, telling TotalVideoGames in an interview that "gaming is certainly something we're considering for the device."We can definitely see the appeal from Microsoft's point of view -- the move could provide the company with a quick, back-door entrance into the highly competitive portable gaming market while at the same time keeping up with Apple's game-playing iPod. The online functionality of Xbox Live and the library of casual and classic games from Live Arcade could also provide for good software support.
Still, we're not convinced games will attract many new customers to the weak-selling Zune. Given the system's design as a music player, we doubt the system has the hardware power or game-centric interface needed to really compete with the firmly entrenched DS and PSP. Still, you can never have too many devices that play Bejeweled in your pocket.
[Via GamaSutra]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Firegirl @ Dec 21st 2006 11:18AM
Gee, I remember most people thought the Zune would come out already able to play games. Need to give some competition to the PSP already!
unit @ Dec 21st 2006 11:36AM
like so many people who've said that nintendo and sony should've looked at xbox live on how to make their online services out the box, microsoft should've looked at apple and other mp3 companies and see how to make an mp3 player people would actualy want. they should've capitalized on what the others don't offer. It's no surprise that the sales suck hard and they will continue to for years to come. The mp3 market is just to crowded to come out with the same ol' product
Kwipper @ Dec 21st 2006 11:42AM
Who cares. The device is pretty much FOA. (Failed On Arrival) The entire point of the device is stupid. The only thing it can do well is play MP3 and have a large screen. The major feature about it (the built in WiFi) isn't much of a feature at all because Microsoft limited it to transferring DRM protected songs to other Zune players... that only last for 3 days. WEEE! Good going Microsoft, you fail at MP3 players!
Pak @ Dec 21st 2006 11:54AM
If they can bring games like on the Xbox Live Arcade games, sign me up. I would love to play Uno over wifi with others and listen to my custom sound track from the device.
Jarvi @ Dec 21st 2006 11:55AM
# 3, this was said of the Xbox (1) before it. This is version 1 of the device, so OBVIOUSLY it is going to be disappointing ( even V.1 of the ipod wasn't that great or popular.) What I see happening for zune is integration with live anywhere, a 20$ attachment to play XBLA games ( or compatible ones, like ZUno or something) and the opening of Wi-Fi. XBL is already a psuedo social networking platform- wouldn't a " currently listening to" thing be awesome integration?
I should note, despite my interest in the device, I am hoping for one for christmas -because I probably wouldn't buy one with my own money :)
tituspullo @ Dec 21st 2006 12:03PM
OMG! IPOD fanboys too. the fact is the zune is a solid device that works with windows unlike the ipod. i have both and prefer the zune because it's fast reliable.
the fanboys said the same things about the original xbox.
Silver @ Dec 21st 2006 12:26PM
"the fact is the zune is a solid device that works with windows unlike the ipod"
Yes, because the iPod doesn't work with Windows. :|
Ignoramus.
Jeff @ Dec 21st 2006 12:32PM
"the fact is the zune is a solid device that works with windows unlike the ipod. i have both and prefer the zune because it's fast reliable."
Let me get this straight. So you have an iPod, and you have Windows, and you think they don't work together?
Something ain't adding up here.
Moogle @ Dec 21st 2006 2:45PM
Conversation with a coworker on tuesday:
"Oh, you got a zune."
"Yeah, I won it."
"How is it?"
"It's bigger and heavier than my iPod, but I can listen to radio."
"And the screen looks nice."
"Yeah. No one around here has one though. Do you happen to know if I can put the music from my iPod on it?"
"Well, did you buy it on iTunes or rip it from CD?"
"iTunes"
"Huh... Well, I guess you can burn it to CD and rip it again."
"I was afraid of that."
Hey, I guess for an oversized pocket radio, it's not a bad free gift. :)
david @ Dec 21st 2006 1:13PM
Wow! An MP3 player that can play games too! Who'd have thought of that? Another Microsoft innovation :-)
BTS.WRKNG @ Dec 21st 2006 2:43PM
Wow, Zune! I remember that thing.
What a piece of shit.
LoveHertz @ Dec 21st 2006 4:05PM
I don't see how games would be all that viable on the Zune besides top-down shooters and the simpler XBLA games. Not exactly a platform for original content. The eventual Xbox Live Arcade integration sounds nice, though. Zuma, Galaga, Doom, Hexic, and Bejewelled 2 would be pretty nice on the DAP. Wi-Fi multiplayer would be great. Coming from someone who actually HAS a Zune rather than just echoing other peoples' opinions about it, I look forward to what Microsoft has in store for it. I can't wait.
eight @ Dec 21st 2006 5:39PM
Hmm, is microsoft going to put games on the zune... um, Xbox Live Anywhere anyone?
Matthew Mac @ Dec 21st 2006 5:52PM
Okay, so you guys are putting dwomthe Zune because, why again? Cause it can't play protected digital media? Hey, no shit. Cause it has its own form of DRM? Again, no shit. Its not like MS invented copyright laws. The Zune is a nice device, but its cool to hate on anything new, I guess. Its a MUSIC player, anything else is just an addon, but people get all pissy about the extra stuff, not remembering what it was designed to do. Jesus Chrict, get a life.
ill trooper @ Dec 21st 2006 6:15PM
"( even V.1 of the ipod wasn't that great or popular.)"
You are wrong. The first version of the iPod sold well at a HIGHER price than this, and was only on the Mac at the time. It had a press buzz that Microsoft has only had with the 360 in it's first 6 months. It worked well and integrated with iTunes flawlessly, and obviously led a revolution that no other company was able make happen, despite other companies already offering MP3 players. It became the audio player of choice over the couse of the next year. The problem with the Zune is that it's arrived too late.
That being said, it's funny how when something starts to look a little wonky, people like you say things like "This is version 1 of the device, so OBVIOUSLY it is going to be disappointing." Wrong again. The Zune wasn't meant to be a sacrificial lamb, leading the way for versions 2 and 3, although that's what Microsoft will do because they can afford it. The roadmap is there. Microsoft tried their best to follow Apple, and for the most part, they did - the Zune isn't disappointing, feature-wise. People's REACTION to it has been disappointing. It's big and has less battery life. Costs the same. There are no other models.
It's only for people who hate Apple.
You Apple haters are free to admit this is your main reason for not liking the iPod, because functionality on iPods is simple and hard to beat.
Sidepocket @ Dec 21st 2006 7:56PM
Actualy above poster, the iRiver and many other MP3 players besides the "establishement" ones are for Apple haters.
I do not get this hatered stuff. I like Windows and I like Nintendo DS. And? So? People are being treated like they are from North Korea or soemthing, wich is dumb in of itself. I just like iRiver, that did not mean I ate your children.
Besides, what is even worse (wich is were I can understand the Apple hate) are people that act like a paid-commercal for the company and try to sell you the device every 18 seconds, even though you said know. Those people should be dragged and shot with a reallly f$#ken big bullet. @,@;
Anonymouse Rep @ Dec 21st 2006 9:59PM
I think that with the D-Pad instead of a wheel that simple gaming would be quite feasible.
I know that when I've done demo's of my Zune - in comparing it directly to the 30GB iPod video, which is what it was designed to compete against, I get the sale 3 out of 4 times. The screen and resolution on the movies that I've uploaded to my Zune are big selling points.
christian @ Dec 21st 2006 10:43PM
I really thought and hope that someday an update would allow you to download your xbox live games from your hard drive to your zune so you can play it portably. I mean you have a sign in name on zune so I'm pretty sure you can play it in full version if they want to keep it locked to the buyer. Probably only works on few games since some needs two joystick like geometry wars but still how about uno, zune is wireless and would be fun if you can keep getting achievements while travelling.
Josh @ Dec 21st 2006 11:03PM
The zune is definitely not what I was hoping. I think they really could have gotten a good hold of the market if they would have used a wi-fi that did something.
Has anyone compared the Zunes sales to iPods sales when it first came out? How do they compare?
If MS makes a handheld gamer, then it should be called Xport. Not Xpod.
Matthew Mac @ Dec 21st 2006 11:34PM
@ill trooper
So, anyone that doesn't like iPod is an Apple hater? What if you just don't like it? Personnaly, I don't like the stupid click wheel, or the UI, does that that mean you shouldn't buy an iPod? No. That's why different products exist. I like my Zune. Does that mean you, Oor anyone else, shouild buy it? If you want to. Why should someone be attacked cause they like something else?
hal9K @ Dec 24th 2006 3:56PM
My zune is perfect for what I want it for, converting divx videos to wmv and watching my shows on the go. They look SO much better than on my ipod video.
Take your fanboy shite and shove it.
Ben @ Dec 26th 2006 3:59PM
Fanboy is probably the best term Ive heard in a while, and it suits them well. All the iPod kids have to say is "Ohh it sucks ass cuz' it cant do this or this or this!" Well, can your iPod do it? Hell, does your iPod even come with wifi capability(whether or not it does anything great)? No? Thats what i thought. Unless you actually see a flaw in what the Zune DOES DO, not what it is missing, please sit down and stay out of the big people conversations.
My only problem with Zune was that it is incompatable with Windows Media Center 2002, the OS i actually use. A minor inconvenience, just installed it on my laptop until i get XP Pro or something.
At the end of the day, i still say Zune has a much brighter future because even with version 1.0, it still has more capabilites than the iPod. With more public backing, Microsoft might actually see fit to spend more time on it and improve its functionality.