Redmond Pie reports that developer Foundation42 has ported its iPhone game WordMonger -- which sits somewhere between Bejeweled and Scrabble -- to the Zune HD. While this is interesting in itself, it's actually very impressive given that the port was complete is only twelve hours. The game was written in C# using OpenGL, and ported to Zune HD with XNA Game Studio 3.1 using Visual Studio 2008. It really is an exceptional achievement.
At least, it would be if Microsoft had a firm stance on third party development for the Zune HD. As it stands, there is no rote submission process à la Apple's App Store, with Microsoft instead opting to work with publishers on a "case-by-case" basis. Still, at the very least, WordMonger will hopefully be available on the App Store this Thanksgiving. See video of both the iPhone and Zune HD versions after the break.
Sorry, but no. This particular app was built with Monotouch, so it's a .Net application, so it works with the Zune. It's very rare indeed for an iPhone application to be made with .Net, most are made with Objective-C, which isn't supported by the Zune.
no kidding. i see my friends' iPhone with 40 different "games" and i think "wow i would rather light a pile of money on fire than pay $2 a pop for this shit" i mean why would i pay to pretend to play beer pong or draw things on a fogged up window? if Zune Apps all have as high of quality as i assume AudioSurf Tilt will i will be happy. i want games that are fun months from when i buy them. not stupid crap that makes me chuckle for 4 minutes before i regret buying it.
Zenonia, Wolfenstein RPG, Peggle, Zombieville USA, Civilization Revolution, and Knights Onrush are standout games for me. Civ Rev was especially surprising, since reviews were mixed and it just didn't look that good to me, but it's very addicting.
Archigamer... Actually, yeah, you do. The Zune is going to need the diversity of apps to interest potential buyers.
In a way, The AppStore is exactly like Amazon. The AppStore is well-stocked with crap, but there are also thousands and thousands of amazing apps. On Amazon, you could buy a Jonas Brothers Workout DVD ("Fart App") if you wanted, but if you're like me, you'll just do a search for the Arrested Development DVDs or Stanley Kubrick BluRays (Spider, FieldRunners, Modern Combat Sandstorm, Harbor Master). I don't think Amazon sucks because they carry something I don't like, I only order things that interest me.
Because there really are a lot of excellent games, utilities, and useful apps on the AppStore.
I see so many people bitching about the AppStore like you're wading through fart apps automatically, but you know what, fellow?
You have to do a search to even see a fart app. So the solution is... Don't search for a fart app.
I doubt many of those who rely on that simple short-sighted criticism even use an iPhone/Touch, and are simply crabby about it because they don't like Apple or it's devices. That's fine too, every has their opinions, but don't act like fart apps are the only things for sale for iPhones. And believe me, the Zune HD will have plenty of fart apps too. There will be crap, my friends, just like the AppStore.
Like anything, you need to take a look before you leap - and there are user reviews right there next to each app, which is already far ahead of walking into GameStop and looking at a wall of DS games... How great would that be if there were paying customers' rankings floating above each game on the shelf at GameStop? You would have a good indicator about what's considered good. And that's the way the AppStore is - you can get some solid feedback before you buy.
As for games, I usually go check out toucharcade.com (just take over that site, already, Joystiq! Instant "iPhone" section, BAM!) and see what are shaping up as quality finds.
Don't get too excited guys. The guy ported a C# game to C#. Were it written in Objective-C or C++ it might be a more impressive port. That being said, it's still pretty cool. But for games that are written in something other then C#, it'd take a bit longer to port then just 12 hours. Not that it'll stop anyone from porting games over once they can sell them. =P
Ha! So it took 2 hours from scratch but 12 hours to port when a lot of the code was already written? And in the same language? Geez, and all the XNA guys at the XNA Creator's site keep say'n how much a "chore" it is to develop for the iPhone.
as someone who already has a phone, the iphone is not interesting. Also as someone who has an mp3 player and portable gaming through psp and ds, is the zune hd something i'd even want to consider? Help me.
As someone who doesn't want to carry all those devices when nearly everything that they do can be handled singularly by the iPhone, I can't understand why someone would want to carry all of those things.
no..no.. no...I hope they keep it "close" (more like moderated) because As it is now the iPhone/ipod is Atari just before 83, but MS could be Nintendo and keep only good games and apps in the Zune HD.
I was going to say the same thing Complex. If we can get a Microsoft seal of quality (they need to follow by it first, at least in software....), it will show that there doesn't need to be 12 things of shovelware for every 1 gem.
Complex, sicsided... You would be pissed if MS held the gates that tight. Apple already catches heat for their processes. Apple is likely weathering out the storm of criticism and allowing the marketplace to decide - good apps sell, bad apps fail.
With its tiny marketshare, the Zune HD would benefit from as open a marketplace as possible - remember, that's how Windows thrived. There are tons of garbage apps on Windows, but as a consumer, you likely do a small amount of research to find the good ones, so you avoid the duds.
I'm surprised there was so much bitching about lack of apps in the first place. Sure there are very little right now, but there obviously will be more to come. Patience is key.
people wanted it to have THOUSANDS at launch....and MS announced that for now it would be doing all the apps....even the facebook and twitter ones....and that turned people off
@Premature: Oh, right, the ads... that IS a pretty big fuck up on their part. Although, I see a market for a section of apps to be free but utilize advertising. I play the basic games on my Zune 80 and the Lips ads don't really detract from the experience; I just forget about them for the 10 seconds they're on.
Honestly, the iPhone/iPod touch has some excellent games. If you are into casual puzzle games, tower defense, and even (some) sports games, you'd be hard pressed to find a better system. I had a PSP (sold it), and considered a DS, but the iPhone games and quality is really great for the price point. By the way, if it adds to my cred, I also have a PS3, Xbox 360, and a Wii. The iPod holds it own.
I've bought/downloaded excellent games like Peggle, Orbital, Home Run Battle (Home run derby game with online play), StoneLoops (awesome marble matching game -- way better than Zuma), geoDefense (Swarm and original versions), Pipe Mania (formerly Pipe Dreams, Tap Tap Revolution (very fun), and more.
These types of games may not be for everyone, but they're hardly "crap." Just like there's a lot of garbage on the Wii, there's also a lot of garbage on the App Store. But, the review system, word of mouth, and web site reviews will help you pick the right games.
Yeah, that was one of the two flaws I saw with the first iPod Touch - no speaker and no physical volume buttons. Two things that the Zune HD is also missing. And you know what? Apple added both to the 2nd-gen Touch. I bet MS will do the same with the next Zune HD.
The speaker and volume rocker are just so useful, I can't believe Apple and MS would leave them out, and I especially can't believe MS still would leave them out after Apple added them a year ago in their update to the Touch.
It's understandable that they wanna take a careful approach with Zune HD apps since they don't wanna piss off their WinMo partners, several of whom (like HTC) have already been dipping their toes in the Android pool.
I think something they could do, at least as a stop gap until they can figure out a full-blown 3rd party app store would be to allow XNA written apps to be easily packaged up for devs to distribute on their own and be installed through the zune software or OTA. Then once they have the infastructure for an app store, they can use it as a base for much better quality control than apple. They can have strict, objective standards for apps that get into the store....but not alienate devs who don't make the cut/don't wanna pay the obligatory fee. They can still be free to distribute their apps on their own.
Looks great, but does it matter? Which one that developers will more likely to spend time on, apps for a device that are shipped worldwide with millions of users, or apps for a device that is still in its infancy and only available in one country (sold out too).
Why do people even WANT an app store? How about just letting people drag and drop install cabs directly to the device? Just like how Windows works. Why use something that can stifle applications and games? Just let people code stuff and put the downloads on their web sites without having to be "approved".
App stores are f'ing evil. They make the process easy, but you would see so many more free stuff available if you just let people use these devices like normal computers.
