Zune HD does games: Project Gotham Racing, Audiosurf 'in November'
by Christopher Grant 
{ Sep 15th 2009 at 11:55AM } 
Of course, three games does not a platform make and, while Apple is busy touting the availability of 21,178 games in the iPhone App Store, Microsoft is launching the Zune HD with a far less ... robust marketplace. Even at the launch of Apple's App Store, over a third of the 500 programs available were games; today, it's closer to half.
Unfortunately, the Zune HD isn't competing with the pre-App Store iPhone or iPod Touch, so when Zune marketing manager Brian Seitz tells the Seattle Times that it's "hard to say right now" if the "sometimes connected" Zune HD will be opened up to third-party app development, it's difficult to hide our disappointment. Game development on the Zune HD is happening on a "case-by-case" and not a "come one, come all" basis, Seitz says.
So, what he's saying is you shouldn't expect to see anywhere near 21k games (regardless of quality) and you can also write off seeing the Zune HD popping up on the list of IGF Mobile nominees next year. As a gaming platform, even a casual gaming platform, will this be enough to compete against the iPod Touch or even the PSP Go? We'll find out "in November" when these games are finally available.
[Via Engadget]
Source – Press release
Source – Seattle Times
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
Cj @ Sep 15th 2009 11:57AM
When I read AudioSurf I exploded.
Colin @ Sep 15th 2009 11:59AM
Yeah, really. I have a perfectly working Zune80 right now, but as soon as it dies, I'm getting me a Zune HD.
Cj @ Sep 15th 2009 12:01PM
Im stuck with the decision of waiting for that rumored 64GB or just getting the 32 now.
Chris D.(PSN: Aggie_CEO | XBL:The Aggie CEO | Steam: Aggie_CEO @ Sep 15th 2009 12:18PM
64GB Zune HD isn't a Rumor...at this point its pretty much Logic...even more so now that Apple has a $400 64GB iPod Touch....
Cj @ Sep 15th 2009 12:18PM
If it will also be around $400 then no thanks.
Jose @ Sep 15th 2009 12:22PM
If the 64 GB zune is $400 bones, the 32 will drop in price, or something like that. So this means that all the Zune HDs will allow apps access to files stored therein. Is it true that some iTouch & iPhones don't allow that? Kudos for the Audiosurf coup.
fwacce @ Sep 15th 2009 12:27PM
Jose, if you're going to try and be cool and use the word 'bones', then you can't use the dollar sign too. That's like trying to divide by zero.
Chris D.(PSN: Aggie_CEO | XBL:The Aggie CEO | Steam: Aggie_CEO @ Sep 15th 2009 12:31PM
I dont think MS will release a 64GB version until they can get it down to at least $299....thats the most I will pay for one anyways
Oobgarm @ Sep 15th 2009 12:38PM
Will second this. I've avoided the portable music player scene, until now.
Jose @ Sep 15th 2009 1:10PM
Sorry Fkface, it was early
Jose @ Sep 15th 2009 1:11PM
Also, dividing by zero is impossible, what I did was simply redundant.
SoCoolCurt (PSN: KillaKornbread - XBL: SoCoolCurt) @ Sep 15th 2009 1:26PM
yea im with you guys. my Zune 80 is just as good as the day i bought it but i do really want a ZuneHD. with that said, im not buying one until they at least get close to the amount of storage space i have currently. preferably more. and they could keep it for $400 anyway if that was the case. it looks like an awesome music player but $400 is a little rich for my blood.
kojo87 @ Sep 15th 2009 2:36PM
you have no idea how excited i am about Audiosurf on Zune. it always sucked that i couldn't play songs i got through Zune Pass in Audiosurf on Steam because of the DRM. playing mobile and any song on my Zune is FLIPPING AMAZING!
Brazen @ Sep 15th 2009 5:41PM
I feel I should point out that a good few months back when iPhone OS 3.0 was unveiled (and allowed apps access to the music on the device) the Audiosurf Developers expressed great interest in an iPhone version, so I'm personally expecting to see that pop up earlier than the Zune version. However, at the moment I can't find the link for that, so feel free to not believe me.
However! For those interested in the Zune HD, it would be worth your time to take a gander at: http://www.appleinsider.com/articles/09/09/14/from_oled_to_tegra_five_myths_of_the_zune_hd.html&page=3
Before you say, I am well aware of the source and that some bias is probably inevitable, but I reckon a lot of it holds merit.
Brazen @ Sep 15th 2009 5:50PM
Ah, it seems I have linked the third page there, here's page 1
http://www.appleinsider.com/articles/09/09/14/from_oled_to_tegra_five_myths_of_the_zune_hd.html&page=1
tl;dr :
The article debunks the buzzwords Microsoft is using for marketing it. For example, the NVIDIA tegra graphics chip is based on tech apple used to use in the earlier iPods, before dropping it in favour of their current source. As a whole, the Zune HD is actually slower than the tech in the competition.
Again, I know the source may be biased, but it's quite detailed. Just see what you think for yourself.
Shagittarius @ Sep 15th 2009 12:02PM
Can it play Farcry Crysis?
Ghen @ Sep 15th 2009 12:21PM
What is that meme, like 4 years old in the current incarnation? seriously now.
Spike (GT: SitriStahl) @ Sep 15th 2009 4:34PM
no, but can it play doom?
Anthology @ Sep 15th 2009 4:51PM
Farcry Crysis?
Is that like Wolfenstein Doom?
rells009 @ Sep 15th 2009 12:05PM
If they really wanna one up Apple, they should get a controller attachment out by Christmas.
Ashitaka @ Sep 15th 2009 12:17PM
But then it wouldn't really be portable now would it?
copa @ Sep 15th 2009 12:26PM
I use my iPod Touch every day, and I find it to be a near perfect device because of its incredibly slim form factor.
The number of times that I have said, "Gee, I'd really like to plug a bulky controller into this and balance it in my lap so I can watch the screen while playing!" is... zero.
Jake @ Sep 15th 2009 12:48PM
If they made some sort of XBOX-type controller that this device fits in and attaches to, that would be kind of neat. Not a cabled controller. It should all be something that you can hold in your hands.
rells009 @ Sep 15th 2009 12:55PM
Exactly, Jake.
Gavin @ Sep 15th 2009 1:08PM
didn't the dreamcast have something like that...?
PR0F3TA (PSN - PROPHETA) @ Sep 15th 2009 2:10PM
the iPhone can be a really good gaming device if the right game is released. Peggle showed us that.
plus where else can i download a synth piano on the go
V1L3 @ Sep 15th 2009 12:07PM
"As a gaming platform, even a casual gaming platform, will this be enough to compete against the iPod Touch or even the PSP Go?"
No.
SpyderTaco (PSN: Ar4chNova89) @ Sep 15th 2009 12:13PM
No.
copa @ Sep 15th 2009 12:22PM
This is getting out of control. Zune HD, PSP Go, Palm Pre, Android... how many more of these App Store knockoffs are we going to see? These will all be expensive debacles.
I am amazed by the unending parade of execs who say, "Hey, Apple launched a phenomenally successful original concept with the App Store, and are making a lot of money off it. If we are one of a half-dozen competitors who try to imitate it a year later, we are bound to be just as successful!"
Chris D.(PSN: Aggie_CEO | XBL:The Aggie CEO | Steam: Aggie_CEO @ Sep 15th 2009 12:35PM
Copa...."AppStore knockoffs"?? You DO Realize that the iPhone wasnt the FIRST smartphone with apps right?
copa @ Sep 15th 2009 12:58PM
I do realize that the Apple was the first company to do a smartphone app store correctly.
And all of these knockoffs look more like Apple's app store than the other smartphone companies that came before.
Rocketboy @ Sep 15th 2009 1:37PM
I had an appstore on my old WinCE 1 device..
it was called the Internet.
Huey2k2 @ Sep 15th 2009 4:39PM
You're right copa, Apple was the first company to ever realise a form of online app store, and we should all just give in and bow to our iPod overlords.
Who needs competition and innovation anyways?
SpydaKat 17 @ Sep 15th 2009 7:18PM
If anyone has the infrastructure to do this it's Microsoft. All they need to do is allow you to download games that you already bought off Xbox Live Marketplace (those that would translate well anyway) and then they'll be wielding some serious power.
I mean you won't be playing Marvel Vs Capcom 2 but I could definitely see games like Braid, Peggle and maybe Castle Crashers working. Come on Microsoft, get this done.
Thomas @ Sep 21st 2009 10:12PM
You realize that the HD has the Tegra chipset, which makes it perfectly feasible to run a high-end, fast-moving game on the device?
Unknown @ Sep 15th 2009 12:08PM
I actually like this system better, when you have things in house you have better quality control. On my android phone i only use about 4 or 5 apps anyways.
For people like me apps are not a big deal, as long as i get facebook, news, and weather i'll be fine.
P.S.
NEW ZUNE HD 32 GB COLOURS ARE HERE
customize now
https://zunestore.net/us/catalog/index.aspx
just ordered my green Zune 32HD :D
Chris D.(PSN: Aggie_CEO | XBL:The Aggie CEO | Steam: Aggie_CEO @ Sep 15th 2009 12:15PM
sure with MS only doing the Apps is SHOULD keep the quality high but theirs no innovation there....I mean I LOVE Apps like UrbanSpoon, The various Twitter apps, the FACEBOOK made Facebook App, etc are just a few of the GOOD things that come from open platform development....IF they play to use the same basic OS for the Zune Phone(the rumored "Project Pink") then they will HAVE to open it up...
Captain Planet [Planeteer | Power of Captain Planet] @ Sep 15th 2009 12:09PM
If I didn't already have an iPhone, I would so get one. Mobile PGR is super win in my book.
Chris D.(PSN: Aggie_CEO | XBL:The Aggie CEO | Steam: Aggie_CEO @ Sep 15th 2009 12:11PM
iHave an iPhone and iWill still get a Zune HD when they release a 64GB model...
NaeemTHM @ Sep 15th 2009 12:14PM
@Cap
Agreed, the Zune HD look beautiful. But, like you, I already own a iPhone so I'm going to have to hold out until they release a Zune HD with some fucking buttons and a D-pad.
Captain Planet [Planeteer | Power of Captain Planet] @ Sep 15th 2009 12:25PM
It's really about consolidation of devices. My iPhone does the work of 5 devices (phone, email, web, gaming and music). Perhaps if the Zune was a phone, I would consider it.
cuteSAVAGE @ Sep 15th 2009 12:29PM
If Zune HD were a mobile and the software worked on other operating systems, I'd consider it as well. My iPhone is first and foremost my mobile, and that's really what I'd want from this device. Every other feature is just icing, and I'd be willing to sacrifice it all if it meant I'd never have to do business with AT&T again.
NaeemTHM @ Sep 15th 2009 12:35PM
So true Savage. If there was a Zune Phone at T-Mobile or Verizon I would leave AT&T in a heartbeat. I can't stand their service and ridiculous charges. Do you know we still don't have MMS because AT&T couldn't handle the traffic?
Man I can't wait for their silly iPhone exclusivity to end.
Chris D.(PSN: Aggie_CEO | XBL:The Aggie CEO | Steam: Aggie_CEO @ Sep 15th 2009 12:38PM
Well I dont listen to music on my iPhone...Podcast and thats about it well Pandora too from time to time....I just dont want to get interrupted from music when a phone call comes in....sucks ass
Rocketboy @ Sep 15th 2009 1:36PM
Captain Planet ... you could always use a sneaker phone...
Chris D.(PSN: Aggie_CEO | XBL:The Aggie CEO | Steam: Aggie_CEO @ Sep 15th 2009 12:10PM
I'm still going to wait for it to be release in 64GBs but I really want one...love my Zune30 and the ZunePass...I just wish the 10 credits per month they gave us would roll over....it took me 5 months to realize that....50 Songs gone down the drain...sucks ass really....
Also MS is fucking up by not releasing Devtools to everyone that has a PC to make apps....I mean if the iPhone/Touch only requires you to own a Mac to make apps for it then MS could EASILY get thousands of quality apps in a matter of days....one thing is certain it damn sure wont get a lot of apps with MS being the only one turning them out....
Dirty @ Sep 15th 2009 12:15PM
Zune pass is really nice. If you ever have to make a playlist for a party last minute it really is lame to be limited to music from your collection.
Chris D.(PSN: Aggie_CEO | XBL:The Aggie CEO | Steam: Aggie_CEO @ Sep 15th 2009 12:16PM
that it is...I just HOPE they give us the ability to have those 10 song credits roll over....I mean how hard is it to do that??
Bananarama @ Sep 15th 2009 12:19PM
I highly doubt that they'll make the credits roll over, but it would be amazing if they did, I've wasted quite a few of those credits over the past few months.
Captain Planet [Planeteer | Power of Captain Planet] @ Sep 15th 2009 12:21PM
Microsoft is rolling out an update to their XNA program to incorporate the Zune HD SDK. It's called XNA Game Studio 4.0 and should be out later this month according to the XNA forums.