Zune Games FAQ

Omnidragon · 02-21-2008, 11:45 AM

I thought I'd try to compile a list of the current things that are known about Zune gaming. I will try to update this as questions are asked, well the ones we have answers for anyway.

Q: Which Zunes support games?
A: All Zune models with firmware 2.5 and up support community-created games. Zune firmware 3.0 and up comes with official games out of the box.

Q: When did Zune games become available?
A: The first version of XNA Game Studio (the software used to create and deploy games) that supported Zune came out in spring 2008. The final version was released in the following November.

Q: How will Zune games be created?
A: Zune games will be created using XNA Game Studio, a free games development tool from Microsoft.

Q: How will the games get onto my Zune?
A: The games currently have to be compiled and transferred to your Zune through XNA Game Studio. Versions of XNA Game Studio since the 3.0 beta support .ccgame files, which are automatically installing game packages. While .ccgame packages are deployed outside of the XNA Game Studio environment, the software is still required to use them. The method of deploying games will probably change in the future, possibly with a system similar to that now available for the Xbox (Xbox LIVE Community Games).

Q: Could we make other apps for the Zune like a web browser?
A: No. XNA games for the Zune do not have access to any kind of networking except to other Zunes. This means no Internet and no computer access.

Q: What resolution will the games render at?
A: 240x320

Q: Will the games support multiplayer?
A: XNA provides the ability to connect to other Zunes using the device's WiFi capability in order to play multiplayer games. Most games do not support this; it is up to the developer of the game to leverage this feature.

Q: Can I share games with my friends via the Zune's WiFi?
A: Currently, no. No word as to whether it's planned for the future.

Q: Is there a size limit to the games?
A: Yes. There is a 16 MB limit to the amount of RAM a game can use while running. Games that cleverly load and unload assets (graphics, sounds, etc.) during gameplay can skirt this restriction by constantly keeping the amount of RAM in use below the limit.

Q: Will the Zune support 3D games?
A: No. XNA on the Zune is limited to 2D graphics, unlike the Xbox or PC.

Q: Will games shorten my battery life?
A: Yes it will, as the CPU of the Zune used much more than normal and input is being constantly supplied to the Zune. Battery life when playing a game is even lower than that when playing a video.

Q: Will you be able to use the 2nd gen. Zune's touchpad?
A: Yes. Additionally, the touchpad support is omnidirectional (so games aren't limited to just up/down/left/right).

Q: Will I need a "Creator's Club" subscription to make the games?
A: No - the Creator's Club subscription is only for the Xbox.

Q: I heard that I can listen to the music on my Zune as I play; is this true?
A: Yes - but only if the game developer specifically adds support for it to their game. Additionally, songs that have DRM (most Zune Marketplace music and all Zune Pass music) can't be played no matter what.

Well I think that just about covers everything that I can think of; if you have any extra questions, post them here and I'll try to answer them.

mr.handsomeman · 02-21-2008, 12:07 PM

wow, this is very nice man! answered a lot of the questions that I had, this is amazing! I'm so excited!

nathanlawliet · 02-21-2008, 04:46 PM

You think they could crack the Zune with this now? Or could they find out how the files are digitally signed or something? That's what I'm interested in..

Though since I'm learning Visual Basic(it's supported too according to the XNA site) I could make a little program that played on my Zune

That'd be cool.

Hurray for open source on something useful for the first time ever!

Micro$oft: 2
Apple: 0

carnealse · 02-21-2008, 05:43 PM

So why yes to the games, and no to the web browser and http plug ins?
Although I can easily get on my PC at home, once in a blue moon I get the urge to get online else where.
This thing has so much potential. Microsoft knows it can do more, but always seems to be the company that holds out or just does not take full advantage.
As much as I love my Z80, I have to give it to apple, they know how to use their products throughly.

Omnidragon · 02-22-2008, 01:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nathanlawliet

You think they could crack the Zune with this now? Or could they find out how the files are digitally signed or something? That's what I'm interested in..

Though since I'm learning Visual Basic(it's supported too according to the XNA site) I could make a little program that played on my Zune

That'd be cool.

Hurray for open source on something useful for the first time ever!

Micro: 2
Apple: 0

XNA will do the signing for us so we wont really know how its done, but there is no reason why we cant code our own memory overflows which may lead to a hacked zune. but remember the release date for all this is a way off yet

Quote:

Originally Posted by carnealse

So why yes to the games, and no to the web browser and http plug ins?
Although I can easily get on my PC at home, once in a blue moon I get the urge to get online else where.
This thing has so much potential. Microsoft knows it can do more, but always seems to be the company that holds out or just does not take full advantage.
As much as I love my Z80, I have to give it to apple, they know how to use their products throughly.

Most likely caus it would be horrible to use i guess it doesn't have a virtual keyboard, but that's not saying we couldn't program one but it wouldn't be nice and easy to use plus with only 240X360 res the web pages would be hard to read. but that's just my opinion there was no reason given as to why they are not adding HTTP hook ins to XNA. It could also be that XNA was designed to be purely a games creation API

Jon · 02-22-2008, 06:15 AM

Good job Omnidragon.

thresixty · 02-22-2008, 02:20 PM

it would be cool if they could add like widgets to zune

Trogdor · 02-22-2008, 02:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by thresixty

it would be cool if they could add like widgets to zune

if you find a widget like program with source in C# or C++ post it in requests

somedayawaits · 02-25-2008, 07:51 PM

Nice.

Xodus · 02-28-2008, 11:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Trogdor

if you find a widget like program with source in C# or C++ post it in requests

What people don't understand, the only namespaces that you can use, are namespaces that are compiled within the Microsoft.XNA framework, and the System base namespace.