XNA Game Studio to unlock the potential of Zune

Zune owners rejoice, the games come!

Since the launch of the original 30 GB Zune in the year 2006 users have posted in the blogs, forums and boards requesting comment Zune was opened for programmers. The Zune not only features 4-80 GB of storage space for audio and video, but also features hardware that can support development beyond the current uses of the portable audio / video players.

With processor Freescale MX31L within the Zune possible for developers designing applications like personal assistant or applications of communication tools. Currently, the Zune is just a simple player audio and video with other features that are not fixed in the rest of the portable media walking around.

For Microsoft to compete in this market, you will need to update the Zune in support of other features found on devices such as the iPod Touch personal and organizational tools such as calendar, task list, and possibly a communication tool . However, the playing field would be sweet.

Recently, Microsoft announced the preliminary version of XNA Game Studio 3.0, which offers a number of changes to the previous XNA Game Studio 2.0 suite of game development. XNA is a framework based on. NET Framework 2.0 that allows developers to create games that can be played on Windows XP / Vista, and the XBOX360 platform because they are written to run at runtime instead of a specific hardware platform.

As for Microsoft’s portable media player is concerned, the version 3.0 of Microsoft XNA framework will enable developers to extend the use of its code in the Zune, becoming the platform that was destined to be. According to a FAQ XNA, XNA Game Studio 3.0 is planned to support all models include Zune 4/8GB and 30/80GB SKUs. At this time, the preview of 3.0 GS XNA CCGame does not support file sharing between users, but this is one of the features planned for the final version.

As for the wireless connectivity is concerned, multiplayer support can be included in the games, if the developer decides, however, the exchange of games through the wireless connection of Zune will not be supported with the final version.

Another limitation from a hardware perspective XNA is that the game developers are limited to 16 MB of code and content including game sounds and music and video. Although the Zune devices include the storage capacity of between 4 and 80 GB, it was not clear whether there will be extra space to store content is not in use.

For now the XNA Game Studio 3.0 will enable developers to create mini games for use in the device, however, the future may bring a long list of applications and “widgets” that can be used by a wider audience as the software organizational staff.