Moore: Zune will game by '08

By Tim Surette, GameSpot
Posted Jan 9, 2007 10:43 am PT

Microsoft's portable music player will be able to play games within the next 18 months, says Xbox vice president.

Nintendo and Sony are currently going head-to-head in the portable gaming business, but they'll have company down the road. Microsoft, which has long been rumored to be entering the portable gaming market, is adding gaming features to its new portable media device, the Zune.

Microsoft vice president Peter Moore revealed to reporters at CES that the company is planning to add games to the Zune within 18 months, according to a Bloomberg report.

"I love the interface, I love the screen," Moore said of the Zune.

Currently, the Zune functions mainly as a portable music player, like Apple's iPod. However, the iPod remains the dominant music player in the business and recently expanded its functions to include video playback and gaming.

Before the Zune was officially announced, many suspected the device was going to play games. But when the veil was officially pulled off the portable, Microsoft simply said it will offer "great music and entertainment experiences."

It's unclear how complex the games for the machine will be. Games for the iPod, which include more casual titles like Tetris, Pac-Man, and Bejeweled, aren't currently up to par technologically with those of the Nintendo DS or PlayStation Portable.

Microsoft was unavailable for comment as of press time.

298 Comments

First to Last
Latest

prev next

Mam00th
Posted Jan 9, 2008 8:08 pm PT

I'm eager to play crysis on my zune hehehe

No frankly for casual games that is cool
- Login to rate this comment
- 0 of 0 users agree
sonicboy2
Posted Jun 26, 2007 3:58 pm PT

com on guys all that have to do is make a thing that go's with your zune and bam good gameing you know so go more and Microsoft woot com on halo on a zune to cooooooooooooooool
- Login to rate this comment
- 0 of 0 users agree
sheik026
Posted May 20, 2007 7:41 pm PT

I think it could work. The screen is a perfectly suitable size, not too small like an iPod's and as faras I can tell it can produce graphics at least as good as a Nintendo DS. However, the games will be more simple or at least have a simpler control scheme. An old school RPG could work though, all you really need for that is a D-pad and one button and the Zune had D-pad capabilities and 3 buttons. I could see a dumbed down version of Geometry Wars working on it. A 2D vertically scrolling version of Crimson Skies, maybe a 2D or isometric version of Halo. Plus, your standard Bejeweled, Tetris, Solitaire, and jubilee of card and pinball games. Plus, thanks to Wi-Fi, you could have local multiplayer and possibly even online play. How about playing Uno on your Zune with Xbox 360 owners. Yes, I see plenty of potential.
- Login to rate this comment
- 1 of 1 users agree
xTheExploited
Posted May 20, 2007 7:32 am PT

They shouldn't have made anything to do with portable gaming. Nintendo controlls this area of gaming and Sony have also sold a lot of PSPs. They would have come in too late anyways. Most people have already got the DS or PSP.
- Login to rate this comment
- 0 of 0 users agree
CrazyKung-Fu
Posted Mar 5, 2007 2:52 pm PT

woot! ma zune got game!
- Login to rate this comment
- 0 of 0 users agree
thenedinator
Posted Jan 17, 2007 11:57 am PT

I agree w/ trd_matrix000... If they really want boost up profit in that area, then they better release sth. that is capable of handling "handheld power"... I'd say that Microsoft has become an opportunist corporation, "thinking" that they can do "it" (like the PSP for example) with a partly successful MP3 player... By the way, haven't they gotten a little cocky after their Best Sofware Presentation Award at the CES????

*Still, we use their OS*
- Login to rate this comment
- 0 of 0 users agree
trd_matrix000
Posted Jan 17, 2007 11:36 am PT

horrible... why? if the really want to break into the market release a "real" handheld.. the zune is dead.. Better luck next time! get over it!!!
- Login to rate this comment
- 0 of 3 users agree
Warlock89
Posted Jan 17, 2007 11:17 am PT

It was 5 billion dollars to charity, not half. but still, im gunna help his company out by buying his stuff. He is helping the world a lot, its n ot cool to diss up on him after how much he has helped this world.
- Login to rate this comment
- 0 of 0 users agree
Dark-prince619
Posted Jan 17, 2007 9:08 am PT

PASS. there is no way in hell that thing can compite with A PSP or A DS.
- Login to rate this comment
- 0 of 2 users agree
chrissantos
Posted Jan 17, 2007 8:10 am PT

overcode... bill gates is probably the greatest philanthropist ever... so.... yeah. shut your pie hole.
- Login to rate this comment
- 0 of 0 users agree
War-Tex
Posted Jan 17, 2007 5:15 am PT

Zune will suck like hell. leave the portable to Nintendo and Sony
- Login to rate this comment
- 0 of 1 users agree
speedracer216
Posted Jan 16, 2007 9:37 pm PT

lame. only nintendo knows how to do handheld and hopefully that's the way it stays.
- Login to rate this comment
- 0 of 1 users agree
schawnneo
Posted Jan 16, 2007 8:42 pm PT

pass, 1 psp is enuff.
- Login to rate this comment
- 0 of 1 users agree
adi0sk8t3r
Posted Jan 16, 2007 6:52 pm PT

That's cool, but honestly i'd rather have a psp since i already have an ipod. So I already have the music player part down! =]
- Login to rate this comment
- 0 of 0 users agree
potterpipi
Posted Jan 16, 2007 2:12 pm PT

awesome! I hope Halo comes to it.
- Login to rate this comment
- 0 of 0 users agree
overachiever92
Posted Jan 16, 2007 12:07 pm PT

Well, overcode, Bill Gates donated more than half his money to charity last year, I think.
- Login to rate this comment
- 0 of 0 users agree
overcode
Posted Jan 16, 2007 10:01 am PT

Great, just what the world needs... another portable game/music/movie device. C'mon Microsoft, why don't you use some of that money to help people instead of pumping out another lame device in an already saturated market.
- Login to rate this comment
- 0 of 0 users agree
god_of_shawn
Posted Jan 16, 2007 7:38 am PT

THIS IS CRAP.
- Login to rate this comment
- 0 of 1 users agree
Sir_Crocidile
Posted Jan 15, 2007 6:18 pm PT

so in otherwords the zune will have iPod quality games. Pass.
- Login to rate this comment
- 0 of 1 users agree
darth-revan
Posted Jan 15, 2007 4:52 pm PT

look, if i can get a decent running low res version of halo 1 running that controlls reasonobly well and doesnt blow, ill buy the zune, until then ill stick to portable gaming for my DS and cell phone.
- Login to rate this comment
- 0 of 0 users agree
CoRiNi
Posted Jan 15, 2007 2:04 pm PT

maan where done with the consoles already released

that's poverty.

I already have XBOX 360,PS3,Wii,DS,PSP.

ands that's more than enough for me.

The last month I spent more than 1000$ only on games not consoles

how many games should I buy.

Every console has it's own great game.

THAT'S ENOUGH.
- Login to rate this comment
- 0 of 0 users agree
judgepeter813
Posted Jan 15, 2007 1:27 pm PT

[This message was deleted at the request of a moderator or administrator]
- Login to rate this comment
- 0 of 0 users agree
koopatroopa1015
Posted Jan 15, 2007 1:07 pm PT

if it's gonna be like an iPod, i'll pass.

if it's gonna be like the PSP, now that's something to consider. as much as i don't like sony, the PSP is one thing that sony made and people liked
- Login to rate this comment
- 0 of 0 users agree
omegabyte
Posted Jan 15, 2007 10:27 am PT

I find it ironic that while Sony is trying to turn the PSP - a gaming machine - into an MP3 player, Microsoft is trying to turn the Zune - an MP3 player - into a gaming machine.
- Login to rate this comment
- 0 of 0 users agree
PantsOfFury
Posted Jan 15, 2007 8:01 am PT

Why's everyone crapping their pants?

It's just going to be simple games, it's not like you can insert at cartridge into the Zune.

As happy as I am with my Zune (sold my iPod, but still have the Nano for ultraportable) I'm happy Microsoft still isn't entering the handheld gaming market.
- Login to rate this comment
- 0 of 0 users agree
brhisawsome
Posted Jan 15, 2007 6:17 am PT

*cough* took them microsoft and apple long enough man thought they were gonna do it earlier
- Login to rate this comment
- 0 of 0 users agree
atte21
Posted Jan 15, 2007 12:36 am PT

umbracascade:
what does the word zune mean anyways? Is this another inexplicable name choice like xbox "360"

The "360" suggests that the player is surrounded by multiple entertaiment options that he/she can use.
Any questions?
- Login to rate this comment
- 0 of 0 users agree
squid360
Posted Jan 14, 2007 11:15 pm PT

ABSOLUTE CRAP. (caps)
- Login to rate this comment
- 0 of 1 users agree
Pfilosophy
Posted Jan 14, 2007 6:30 pm PT

Both the Zune and the iPod suck. Buy Creative products instead. These are not and will never be taken as seriously as even the lousy ngage so why bother reporting about a Zune gaming rumor?
- Login to rate this comment
- 0 of 1 users agree
umbracascade
Posted Jan 14, 2007 4:47 pm PT

what does the word zune mean anyways? Is this another inexplicable name choice like xbox "360"
- Login to rate this comment
- 0 of 0 users agree
MegaManX9101
Posted Jan 14, 2007 12:04 pm PT

Interesting... Not gonna be too exited untill i actually see what kinds of things they put on it though.
- Login to rate this comment
- 0 of 0 users agree
ObiKKa
Posted Jan 13, 2007 11:02 pm PT

Meh, don't worry, it's just for casual games. They don't need hardcore games akin to PSP & DS' games on the Zune. Come on, it's just playing quickie games on the go just like the good mobile phone games. Of course there could be the occasional ones like turn-based strategy games...
- Login to rate this comment
- 0 of 0 users agree
firebirdboi06
Posted Jan 13, 2007 9:49 pm PT

To urine72:

No, the Zune's control's are slightly misleading by appearence. There are only buttons inside the "wheel". The iPod is the only player on the market to feature such a control scheme due to Apple patents.
- Login to rate this comment
- 0 of 0 users agree
lugomania7
Posted Jan 13, 2007 9:44 pm PT

The Zune will not bring any competition to anybody except other MP3 players, not handheld consoles like the: PSP or DS
- Login to rate this comment
- 0 of 0 users agree
KaptainKernal
Posted Jan 13, 2007 9:27 pm PT

No Thank You, my PSP does everything and better then the Zune.....
- Login to rate this comment
- 0 of 1 users agree
Imconfused2007
Posted Jan 13, 2007 8:10 pm PT

The zune wont be a portable system. All it will be is a MP3 player with games, nothing more.
- Login to rate this comment
- 0 of 0 users agree
urine72
Posted Jan 13, 2007 7:16 pm PT

doesnt zune have a wheel and two buttons? I cant imagine the games being to indepth.
- Login to rate this comment
- 0 of 0 users agree
StarFreak101
Posted Jan 13, 2007 4:21 pm PT

Hmmmm. A new gaming system would be nice. If it had the games I love on it and good looks to it, I'll like it! +=D
- Login to rate this comment
- 0 of 0 users agree
KMWota91
Posted Jan 13, 2007 4:05 pm PT

OMG. Another portable system that we need to see. How can Microsoft expect to do any better with what both the PSP and DS are already doing? It just doesn't seem clear to me why they're doing this when they probably won't work on another portable console after this one.
- Login to rate this comment
- 0 of 0 users agree
Kholdstare_fire
Posted Jan 13, 2007 11:43 am PT

Can't wait, I've had friends ask if Zune plays games I can say yes now.
- Login to rate this comment
- 1 of 1 users agree
Goku2639
Posted Jan 13, 2007 11:08 am PT

thats great to hear. I've tried both and I choose the Zune over the ipod. Can't wait to play a few lil games on that sexy screen!
- Login to rate this comment
- 1 of 1 users agree
Saphire_Kitsune
Posted Jan 13, 2007 8:50 am PT

It would be nice to be able to download games into the Zune. I'll be looking forward to something like that.
- Login to rate this comment
- 1 of 1 users agree
Rentago
Posted Jan 13, 2007 5:08 am PT

Its a stepping stone, they will make a Zune 2. Probably capable of playing arcade games to get your game score up while away.
- Login to rate this comment
- 0 of 1 users agree
jdbthexboxgamr
Posted Jan 12, 2007 5:36 pm PT

cool,maybe the closest thing to a Microsoft portable game system we'll get,can't wait to see what games will be on it.
- Login to rate this comment
- 0 of 0 users agree
Baroncx
Posted Jan 12, 2007 4:15 pm PT

lol. no thanks. really.
- Login to rate this comment
- 0 of 0 users agree
OluDara
Posted Jan 12, 2007 1:38 pm PT

Nice.
- Login to rate this comment
- 0 of 0 users agree
CassiusVII
Posted Jan 12, 2007 1:11 pm PT

it will be intresting to find out what it turns out like .. every company has there share of copyinng
- Login to rate this comment
- 0 of 0 users agree
mario94
Posted Jan 12, 2007 1:08 pm PT

what the hell is this thing?
- Login to rate this comment
- 0 of 0 users agree
Limonadi
Posted Jan 12, 2007 12:53 pm PT

A low tech Gameboy-iPod hybrid? No thanks.
- Login to rate this comment
- 0 of 0 users agree
spacemonkey
Posted Jan 12, 2007 10:29 am PT

They are probably adding "games" to the Zune just to stay competative to the iPod (so therefore even similar games). It's one of those feature things. They don't want the games aspect to be only on the iPod. They have to have more and better features to beat them otherwise people will just go with what they know and that is the iPod. If the iPod does anything more or better, the Zune doesn't stand a chance.
- Login to rate this comment
- 0 of 0 users agree

First to Last
Latest

prev next

Content you might like…

Microsoft patents handheld-console 'gaming system'
Cryptic application outlines game network of "handheld devices and console devices"--could it portend Zune-360 gaming connectivity?
- Apr 24, 2007

Users who looked at this article also looked at these content items.

Related Companies

Hot Stories

Newsmakers

Q&A: EA Games prez on wielding Warhammer, policing 'Sporn'

In the second half of GameSpot's interview, Frank Gibeau talks about his WOW habit, refusing to green-light single-player games, the Wii, the next Medal of Honor, and the possibility of a Black comeback. Full Story
- Posted Aug 30, 2008 7:27 pm PT
- 107 Comments
PAX 2008: Ryan Payton on Kojima, Japan

The former English-speaking face of Metal Gear Solid 4 talks about his duties on the game, the real reason Japanese gamers aren't buying the Xbox 360, and more. Full Story
- Posted Aug 30, 2008 1:23 pm PT
- 142 Comments