More Deets on XNA

[Adam Krebs]

<div class='os_post_top_link'><a href='http://forums.xna.com/ShowThread.aspx?PostID=46553' target='_blank'>http://forums.xna.com/ShowThread.aspx?PostID=46553</a><br /><br /></div><p><img alt="" border="1" src="http://images.thoughtsmedia.com/resizer/thumbs/size/500/zt/auto/1203617961.usr495.jpg" /></p><p>After yesterday's exciting <a target="_blank" href="http://www.zunethoughts.com/news/show/32363/games-coming-to-zune-whaa.html">announcement</a>, a lot of questions were still left unanswered. Fortunately, through the magic of internet forums, we're better able to get a sense of what's in store</p><p>To begin:</p><p>&quot;<em>...XNA Game Studio 3.0 integration includes discoverability and access to user&rsquo;s music allowing the user to customize background soundtracks or create real-time visualizations... [Also] the ability to have multiple Zunes wirelessly engage in an ad-hoc gaming experience.</em>&quot;</p><p>&nbsp;And now for the juicy details. Head over to the XNA forums for the full scoop:</p><ul> <li>All Zunes (4, 8, 30, and 80) will get this update, but it seems that only the 4, 8, and 80 will be able to use the touch support, for obvious reasons </li> <li>Games can't be sent wirelessly to a friend, but multiplayer is available through the wireless functionality&mdash;finally, useful! </li> <li>Games are limited to 16 MB for all code and content, and due to hardware limitations only games in 2D (though SpriteBatch) are supported. </li> <li>.ccgame files aren't supported in the preview release, but they're coming (a.k.a. you can't create your own games <em>just</em> yet) </li> <li>Users can select their own playlists and music to&nbsp;be played in the background, but DRM (Marketplace) tracks need not apply. Must be a DRM protection mechanism. </li> <li>Still doesn't connect to Xbox Live, but we're <a target="_blank" href="http://www.zunethoughts.com/news/show/23590/j-allard-hints-at-merged-zune-xbox-live-experience.html">getting closer</a>! </li> <li>XNA 3.0 is expected to be in preview by the Spring, and they'll release the final version in late '08.</li></ul><p>I can't wait!</p>

[Tim Williamson]

Users can select their own playlists and music to be played in the background, but DRM (Marketplace) tracks need not apply. Must be a DRM protection mechanism.

So let me know if this is correct, any song you've bought through Microsoft's
Marketplace can't be played on the player it was designed to play on in the background while playing games? :confused:

Wow, DRM is so awesome...:rolleyes:

[USArcher]

So let me know if this is correct, any song you've bought through Microsoft's
Marketplace can't be played on the player it was designed to play on in the background while playing games? :confused:

That does seem abit strange....I wonder if thats just a limitation of the preview release and not the final product.

[Jason Dunn]

Wow, DRM is so awesome...:rolleyes:

Yeah...makes me think that the studios wanted more $$$ to allow their songs to be used for this purpose - which is idiotic of course because once someone has purchased a track (or are paying a monthly fee for it), it should be usable on that device in any way...:rolleyes:

[Adam Krebs]

Yeah, I agree with you guys. DRM is terrible.

I never really had an issue with DRM until I had to create a Photostory for my grandfather's memorial. I bought a song (old enough to be out of copyright, mind you) from MSN, and found that even using only Microsoft technology, I wasn't allowed to play it.

Even iTunes purchased songs can be used in iMovie...

[David Tucker]

Wow, didn't even notice that. That kinda sucks :(

[USArcher]

Just to be clear, are we talking about using track(s) as part of in game sounds & soundtrack? or are we talking about playing Zune music while we are in the middle of game play?

[bleeman]

What I want to know is if it is coming to all Zunes will I be able to opt not to install it or will be part of the firmware. I don't have anything against gaming, as my wife will be quick to tell you how many $'s I spent on it over the years ;) but I don't see a need for gaming support on the Zune. I would much rather they focused on providing better editing options on our music, more flexibility with the genre's on the marketplace, more codec support and less conversions, etc. and not get sidetracked trying to bring gaming to the Zune; or worse yet impact my resources with the additional code and functionality they will include to support it.

[Lotheric]

I want replayGAIN support -_-

[Lofty]

Microsoft needs to move forward with this idea and they need to do so more quickly. I would really like to see their four platforms integrate much more universally than they have.

I would like to see a Live anywhere service for music, movies, television and games that would work with your PC, windows mobile phone, xbox360 and a Zune.

They need to integrate all their digital services and allow the consumer to make one purchase that can move from one device to another.

Its all about the services baby, and integrating them with all of their platforms will only make them stronger.

[Jason Dunn]

Just to be clear, are we talking about using track(s) as part of in game sounds & soundtrack? or are we talking about playing Zune music while we are in the middle of game play?

I don't think anyone knows at this point - because you're right, they're very different things. It sounded like they were talking about the Zune owner not being able to listen to music as background tracks for the game...and that's pretty silly.

[albucian]

DId you guys see this video of the XNA stuff running on zune ?
(check the second part of the video)

http://mschnlnine.vo.llnwd.net/d1/ch9/0/GDC08_XNA_Dishwasher_XBOXArcade_512kbs.wmv

[Jason Dunn]

DId you guys see this video of the XNA stuff running on zune ?

VERY interesting stuff....I'll front page this. Thanks for sharing!