iPhone version of Audiosurf put 'on hold' due to music library restrictions
by Griffin McElroy 
{ Nov 13th 2009 at 12:29AM } 
We contacted Fitterer to find out exactly what he meant by this -- he explained, "Apps can play songs, but they can't get at a song's bits (needed to analyze it and build a matching rollercoaster + traffic pattern)." He added that there were workarounds -- for instance, a player could upload a song to the App or through a central server, which would create a level for them. However, he said that system felt inconvenient, and that he doesn't "want to put Audiosurf on iPhone until it can really let you ride your music - all of it."
There's still a chance the game could end up on an Apple product -- though Fitterer negotiated directly with Microsoft to get his game on the Zune HD platform, the two parties came to no form of exclusivity agreement. "I'm ready for Apple to call," Fitterer joked.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
CaramelZappa @ Nov 13th 2009 12:34AM
Why did no one tell me they made audiosurf for the zune? That's the last straw, I have to buy a Zune HD.
John @ Nov 13th 2009 12:52AM
plus its free
John @ Nov 13th 2009 12:53AM
the game is free not the zune haha
Duke @ Nov 13th 2009 11:01AM
They released a few free games this week for the Zune, which included a PGR title, bowling and Audiosurf. I have to admit that it's a pretty fun little app. I used it this morning with some Daft Punk and it's pretty distracting to play.
NICK @ Nov 13th 2009 12:39AM
Audiosurf Tilt is an amazing game. It looks and feels identical to its pc counterpart. Im happy I went with the zune as this is the ONLY game I want on an mp3 player.
CaramelZappa @ Nov 13th 2009 1:11AM
Since you have it, is tilting the zune itself the only way to control? If so, is the sensitivity adjustable? Or can you use the touchscreen to control it as well. Thanks.
kojo87 @ Nov 13th 2009 1:44AM
no touch control but tilt sensitivity is adjustable. takes a little while to get the hang off but after that it becomes second nature.
Kerber @ Nov 13th 2009 1:56AM
Controls seem to be tilt only, but sensitivity is adjustable. It works really well, actually, and is very responsive. You won't miss having buttons on this one; controls are tight.
The game as a whole is...interesting. Not as much fun or as impressive as the new racing game, but I had a good time with it on the bus this morning. Plus, I re-discovered some music that I already had and I heard it in a whole new way. Audiosurf makes you appreciate how a some songs go through big changes in tempo and mood.
Oh, and it's free.
Ordeith @ Nov 13th 2009 12:20PM
Audiosurf + ZunePass = So full of win!
macabrearts @ Nov 13th 2009 12:38AM
well shucks!
kojo87 @ Nov 13th 2009 12:43AM
lol no one owns Zunes! thats so funny! oh wait i do. and 6 of my friends do too. give me a break.
Audiosurf Tilt and PGR on Zune HD are both excellent games and have great visuals, especially for being first generation games on the platform. it makes me very excited to see what kind of games we can look forward to in the months to come.
SpyderTaco (PSN: Ar4chNova89) @ Nov 13th 2009 12:51AM
Hey guys! I just found 7 people who own a Zune!
Where is my prize?
Brian @ Nov 13th 2009 2:34AM
6? i had the 80 then got the HD and i love these new games but i know about 3 people in my whole network of friends who have had a zune. i wish theyd catch on :/
kojo87 @ Nov 13th 2009 3:17AM
two of them had Zune 30s from launch day and got me interested. two were iPod converts after checking out my Zune 120 and learning about Zune Pass when their iPods broke. the other two got Zune HDs because the Zune HD is the shit. i have both HD and 120 models
Metkis @ Nov 13th 2009 5:29AM
Morbo loves Zune, hates humans!
necrothug @ Nov 13th 2009 8:33AM
Exactly, its time for these damn engadget editors/authors to grow the hell up and get over their constant apple love fest. The fact the Zune HD sold out all over the place is more than enough reason to not make those jokes funny anymore..
James @ Nov 13th 2009 1:30PM
Seriously, enough with the Zune hate. Why is it so hard to admit that the Zune HD is a top notch PMP, perhaps maybe even better than the iPod? Did you know that loving Apple doesn't mean hating Microsoft, that you can enjoy products created by both companies?
I love my Zune HD. I carry it with me wherever I go. I love my iPod Touch. I carry it with me wherever I go. Both are great devices. You can like both.
(But don't let the two touch. "End of the world" stuff, that.)
fit flops @ Nov 13th 2009 12:44AM
I am crazy about iphones and I am eagrly waiting for new iphone to be in market and I just explore them but as this one is put on hold I am really upset. I wish it release soon.fit flops
MC Double Def DP @ Nov 13th 2009 12:45AM
I'm loving these new free games on the ZuneHD!
BPMOmega [XBL, PSN, Steam] @ Nov 13th 2009 12:46AM
I'd get this for my iPod touch. It'd be something from the App Store that I'd actually think was worth spending money on!
snowy2004 @ Nov 13th 2009 12:47AM
Gah! I really wished it'll come to iPhone OS. Audiosurf on Zune is one of the reasons why I wished they sold the HD in Canada and wished it worked with Mac...
On that note, I wouldn't mind having Audiosurf for mac.
Anti-Villian @ Nov 13th 2009 1:15AM
I have Audiosurf on my mac
Flankenstein @ Nov 13th 2009 12:46AM
Maybe he should hook up with Pandora or something to solve the library access problem.
The Flyin' Hawaiian @ Nov 13th 2009 12:51AM
i hate how protective apple is with their music. they need to take a chill pill
B3astofthe3ast @ Nov 13th 2009 1:04AM
How bout some Android love?
Darth Bradwart, The Dark Lord of the Sith-ATDF Co-Founder @ Nov 13th 2009 1:05AM
What's an andrew?
snowy2004 @ Nov 13th 2009 1:24AM
How? I assume you either have it with CrossOver Games or somehow got a hacked version for free.
CaramelZappa @ Nov 13th 2009 1:40AM
I'm guessing you can do it with either bootcamp or parralels.
Robbie @ Nov 13th 2009 1:43AM
Damn, this is a no-brainer Apple! Give them access dammit!!!
And while I'm at it, give other [read: ALL] developers access to the music library! Why the feck would you limit that?!
David @ Nov 13th 2009 2:01AM
I think it's more that the current version of the API over-simplifies things: playing music is easy, but it doesn't have a way for the devs to access the individual files themselves (cause in most cases just playing the music would suffice).
E.J. @ Nov 13th 2009 2:43AM
Funny enough, I work with a "Mike" that owns a Zune HD.
Arich @ Nov 13th 2009 11:01AM
I hate how protective apple is with MY music.
Kyle @ Nov 13th 2009 5:38AM
Oh, SNAP!
UNSCleric @ Nov 13th 2009 4:28AM
I've had a Zune 30 since 2006's launch day and have had a Zune HD 32GB since launch as well. The new games and updates to the web browser are incredible and are indicative of the kind of massive updates Zune owners get on a regular basis and is the reason I will always use Zune products for my music and portable video/radio/etc.
Zac @ Nov 13th 2009 6:41AM
I love this game, I downloaded it to Zune after work today and was playing until my battery ran dead.
Kyle @ Nov 13th 2009 5:39AM
Apple would be foolish to not let this happen.
Ashitaka @ Nov 13th 2009 8:23AM
We need this app and the Music Quiz (the one that questions us about our own music). Get to work, Apple. NOW.
Arnie @ Nov 13th 2009 9:37AM
I really like this game, its a really simple experience & really fun. Love my Zune HD :)
Riley @ Nov 13th 2009 9:44AM
*yawn*
It's still fun to make fun of Microsoft's products because Microsoft is evil and incompetent and uncool.
However, we still love Apple despite shipping products which contain bugs that can erase your profile and personal files. They have a need to control what you put on the devices you bought. They air ads that flat lie about the competition and fail to focus on their products, kind of like political attack ads.
But that's okay, because Microsoft is uncool and Apple is super cool, my friends say so.