anythingbutipad tablets and slates

Microsoft Brings Games to the Zune

By: Grahm Skee on February 20, 2008 2:30 PM

joystiq-gdc.jpg

Looks like one of my "8 things I don't want on the Zune" can be crossed off. I can't say that I'm excited about this since I have been quite adamant about keeping the Zune as a music centric device but I will have to see how it plays out when released. My previous opinion may be swayed.

Update: Cesar from Zune Insider stresses that the Zune's primary focus will still be wireless music and video playback. That makes me feel a little better.

Microsoft has announced at the Game Developer's Conference that developers will be able to target the Zune as a gaming platform. It could be cool in that home brew games will run rampant making an interesting community. The controls may be unfriendly to a gaming platform but it is interesting that there is a multi-player wireless aspect on the table.

More info to come when I get my hands on the official press release..

[Photo via Joystiq | Engadget]

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Comments

HipHopScribe on February 20, 2008 5:28 PM

I don't think I'll ever use the feature, beyond trying it out to see what it's like, but I don't really have a problem with it. Potentially it could distract development from other issues they could improve, that's the only worry, but it does at least show that they aren't standing still, hopefully they have energy invested in improved the Zune software as well (Divx/Xvid would be nice too).

nywytboy68 on February 20, 2008 8:53 PM

I think its actually pretty cool. Now if they could get an eq on the hardware (claims of not being supported on the 80 are bull, its just a feature they removed & made me return my Zune80) and take care of the software I'd buy 1 back NOW and skip the Sony I'll have my wife KILL me over. Then again,............ if sony upped it to min 32gb like I'm hoping for the future!!! Hmmmmmmmmmmmm,........................ sorry about going off topic.

Jeffrey T. Meyer on February 20, 2008 10:33 PM

I agree on the Divx/xvid thing in the future. Microsoft blessed the xbox360 and I am still happy and impressed. Some decent games would indeed move units. The Zune's menu system is dead-on usable and their entire product line has WiFi. They can evolve.

Kevin on February 22, 2008 7:27 AM

I only considered getting one when i heard they were adding this. It will become cluttered and most likely not practical, but I still( for some reason) want to see a web browser on the Zune...

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