Developer performs technical feat using XNA Game Studio 3.1
Porting games between both Apple’s iPhone and Microsoft’s Zune HD may be easier than initially anticipated.
Mobile games developer Foundation42 has managed to port its iPhone title WordMonger to Microsoft’s handheld rival in under 12 hours, according to report from Redmond Pie.
WordMonger, written in C# using OpenGL, was ported to Zune HD using XNA Game Studio 3.1 software.
Though the alleged twelve hour port highlights the ease in which mobile game developers can expand their reach, companies will still have to jump through Microsoft’s hoops to get their work officially published on the device.
Microsoft’s Brian Seitz recently revealed that developers would not have the opportunity to self-publish games on Zune HD.
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Microsoft is instead working with a select number of developers “on a case by case basis”.
“It's not really come one, come all,” Seitz told The Seattle Times.
I think this is a good move to be honest. The app store and Microsoft's own Indie Games section is a mess. Hopefully, this will help to maintain a standard of quality... hopefully.
"Microsoft’s Brian Seitz recently revealed that developers would not have the opportunity to self-publish games on Zune HD."
The halting hand of progress has spoken. Here you have a great opportunity to open up the Zune to a mass market and free advertising and truly compete with the ipod, but yet you squash it before it even takes off - this is why apple is ahead on the marketing, and game front with the ipod.
I think Lee has the right idea - this isn't intended to push developers away, but it's going to stop the Zune from being swamped with 45 versions of a 'Flashlight' app.
As a big Mac fan and user of the iPod/iPhone, I was pretty impressed with the ZuneHD. Beautiful screen. Interface seemed very snappy. I really do hope it takes off. Competition is always good. I like it when Apple is pushed. Right now, they're not being pushed. So good on 'ya MS!! Nice job on the ZuneHD!
I just can't see these type of restrictions as being a good thing for 'the user'.
Cherry picking products and developers and thus only allowing a select 'elite few' to publish does nothing but restrict creativity and hamper originality. Take a look at the retail market for a shining example of this, not a great deal of innovation going on with much lamenting of the lack of original titles while restricting access to the market...
Moves like this are about 'brand image' and 'market control' and have nothing to do with providing entertainment for people. I would rather have '45 flashlight apps' to choose from (or not choose at all) as opposed to a handful of 'special exclusive versions of "insert title of port here" from one of our selected development partners'.
As far as hardware goes Zune HD totally rapes the itouch but software is where it gets a little iffy with everybody. Add silverlight and 3rd party developers and even apple fanboys wont den that the Zune HD is better as a matter of fact many people are debating on whether or not to buy it based on those to decision. Add those 2 and sales will increase 217%.
