Zune HD getting 3D gaming in '09

Project Gotham Racing: Ferrari Edition, Vans Sk8: Pool Service, and Audiosurf Tilt coming to Microsoft's portable media player later this year.

After years of teasing the prospect of 3D gaming on the Zune, Microsoft has finally made it official. As part of its announcement of today's Zune HD launch, the company revealed that the portable media player will be getting at least three 3D titles by year's end. They will include Vans Sk8: Pool Service, Audiosurf Tilt, and Project Gotham Racing: Ferrari Edition, a miniature spin-off of Bizarre Creations' pre-Activision buyout racing series.

Soon, this will play 3D Project Gotham Racing. Seriously!

Microsoft did not provide any prices for Zune HD games, nor did it offer any details on how games would be played. However, given the portable's OELD touch screen and built-in accelerometer, control schemes similar to those of the iPhone/iPod touch's massive game library are all but assured. Currently, Microsoft lists the Zune as having only five 2D casual games: Hexic, Texas Hold 'Em, Checkers, Sudoku, and Space Battle.

Microsoft's confirmation of 3D Zune gaming comes three and a half months after it revealed that HD video content from Xbox Live can be downloaded onto a Zune starting this fall. The functionality will come as part of a second Xbox Live update, expected in November, which will also add Facebook and Twitter functionality to the 360 and Zune.

The prospect of Zune gaming has been in the air ever since January 2007, when then-Microsoft corporate vice president Peter Moore promised that the device would have the functionality by 2008. Some 10 months later, publicity-hungry-Xbox-frontman-turned-reclusive-Zune-chief J Allard said gaming would be "tricky" on the Zune. Then, in February 2008, Microsoft teased the possibility of cross-platform gaming between the Zune and Xbox 360--a prospect that has yet to materialize.

134 Comments

  • LVMVP23

    Posted Oct 31, 2009 6:45 pm PT

    Yea the Zune is a real mp3/media device.. Not a app whore like the I-touch myself

  • teamfear

    Posted Oct 27, 2009 6:07 pm PT

    i really like my Zune HD but i am really afraid there will be no games and apps for it. I am sick of the Ipod / Itunes monopoly!

  • retroguy02

    Posted Oct 25, 2009 6:33 am PT

    I hope Microsoft has enough tricks in its bag to keep the Zune from being another lower-quality knock-off of Apple's product.

  • itsTolkien_time

    Posted Oct 24, 2009 3:57 pm PT

    I'd never heard of a Zune until a couple months ago. I still don't really see a reason to care about it in any way. Any price for it's HD 3D games is probably too expensive.

  • ckorneluk

    Posted Sep 23, 2009 7:55 pm PT

    I wish we had the Zune HD in Canada, I've got a 8GB Zune an love it. Too bad the Zune HD will be another Microsoft US exclusive. Damn buy american act...

  • fionndruinne

    Posted Sep 17, 2009 11:34 am PT

    Correct, it's not available (yet!) in the UK. Also, it is NOT intended to be a handheld gaming device, first and foremost. I hope people aren't misinformed. Unlike Steve Jobs, Microsoft has never voiced a desire to make their media device compete with the likes of Sony and Nintendo.

  • kavadias1981

    Posted Sep 17, 2009 1:57 am PT

    I am an avid gamer but I never actually heard of Zune until reading this. Maybe it's not available in the UK or something.

  • xMakaveli

    Posted Sep 16, 2009 3:40 pm PT

    This is really good news.. I got my Zune HD yesterday and love it!

    @ AngelCage-2

    Been using Vista since launch .. not one single problem.
    Actually try something before talking crap about it.. Vista is actually pretty good now. Better more stable then before.

  • ThisNameIsDumb

    Posted Sep 16, 2009 11:26 am PT

    @the_danny how are the netherlands? i want to move there for somebody =P

  • Darkon_X

    Posted Sep 16, 2009 10:36 am PT

    @ AngelCage-2 So why do most businesses choose Microsoft operating systems over all the operating systems out there? Can't they really afford Mac's? Also you're forgetting that there are more MS OS' than just vista. While I agree Vista came with a lot of problems it isn't all that bad. And what about the ones before that?

    Also don't forget Microsoft games, why do a lot developers say it's a lot easier to develop for XBOX 360 than PS3? Because of the SOFTWARE that MS developed for making games.

    ...and Windows 7, which is already getting good reviews.

    Yeah don't give me that bull that MS can't make software, just because 1 out of 100 people don't like it doesn't mean MS sucks at it. And look people I ain't no MS fanboy either, I love apple as well but I hate it when people say such and such company "sucks" because they don't like them.

  • AngelCage-2

    Posted Sep 16, 2009 10:15 am PT

    @Darkon_X

    "...Microsoft is a software company, they know how to make software which is why if you're reading this you're probably using Windows...."
    .-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-..-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.--

    You said that MS KNOWS how to make sw???? yeah, say that to Windows Crap-ista -the son of millenium-

    MS knows how SELL half-made software, not to make it. we use their busted products cause they shove them with every new computer... i use windows cause in my work i have to use windows ¬_¬ not my choice.

  • Zoomer30 posted Sep 16, 2009 9:42 am PT (does not meet display criteria. sign in to show)

    Zoomer30

    Posted Sep 16, 2009 9:42 am PT (hide)

    Wow, thats what the world needs: A Portable Xbox. Just one more thing from M$ that breaks.

  • smurf5200

    Posted Sep 16, 2009 9:34 am PT

    Man "godofdarknes" u really need to go back to grammer school & learn how to spell, "amerika" r u seroius?

  • tremor33

    Posted Sep 16, 2009 9:05 am PT

    I have a Zune. I got it as a gift and it's actually pretty cool. I watch tv on it all the time and have to say people should give it a shot. (and although I know the ipod is better, I just don't like apple products especially itunes, and imacs)

  • the_danny

    Posted Sep 16, 2009 8:55 am PT

    want a portable xbox

    1 ghz processor
    1 gb ram
    526 videocard

    hell yea

  • the_danny

    Posted Sep 16, 2009 8:52 am PT

    never seen a zune in my life

    netherlands......(europe) (amsterdam)

  • godofdarknes

    Posted Sep 16, 2009 8:18 am PT

    they need to release it at europe and asia and amerika and australia worldwide

  • alexLmx6

    Posted Sep 16, 2009 8:13 am PT

    i think really these games will never be worth more then as a timekiller at the doctors office or haircutter (thats the only places i ever play portable games, and its usually nytimes crosswords lmao) but nonetheless if theyre done right they could be worth a buy

  • Darkon_X

    Posted Sep 16, 2009 8:11 am PT

    Well a lot of people talked crap when Microsoft made their first gaming console. You have to understand Microsoft is a software company, they know how to make software which is why if you're reading this you're probably using Windows. Why wouldn't they make good games on the zune considering the success that the XBOX 360 has had?

  • XeonForce

    Posted Sep 16, 2009 8:00 am PT

    If I can use WMP instead of that junky Zune software, then I'll consider upgrading my 30GB Zune.

  • andrew_ribbons

    Posted Sep 16, 2009 7:16 am PT

    I want Zune in UK >:3

  • TripSe7en

    Posted Sep 16, 2009 6:26 am PT

    As a fan of gaming in general, I would love for this to take off, but I don't think it will. Apple has a vice grip on the ultra-casual gaming market with the iPhone and iTouch. The Zune cannot even begin to compete with those platforms, let alone the DS or PS3. MS just doesn't have the installed user base to bring devs over to the fray. Similar to the PS3 for its first two years on the market. I hope this isn't MS formal introduction to portable gaming...

  • otaku_momo posted Sep 16, 2009 6:25 am PT (does not meet display criteria. sign in to show)

    otaku_momo

    Posted Sep 16, 2009 6:25 am PT (hide)

    Wow, Microsoft can't think of anything by themselves...

  • Yuck_Too

    Posted Sep 16, 2009 6:20 am PT

    @shani_boy101
    "looks cool, but if this is MS's attempt at portable gaming then they're screwed. it will never compete with the PSP or DS."

    ~~~

    That's exactly what people said when MS said they wanted to enter the console arena.

    Also this is not meant to take on the iPhone...but compared to the iTouch or a iPod...well I'd go Zune in that case.

    As for the DS or PSP it will as always come down to the games and the price not the device

  • bioghost

    Posted Sep 16, 2009 6:12 am PT

    This looks sick, i'll be wise in spending money just to buy this thing.

  • grungeman91

    Posted Sep 16, 2009 5:07 am PT

    I'm still happy with 120GB Zune...and it's a more reliable than an ipod cause I've went through 3 of the ipod classics and never had a problem with my Zune 16GB or my 120GB...but in the near future I might decide to buy an HD

  • Icedburden123

    Posted Sep 16, 2009 4:57 am PT

    I have no problem supporting both the Zune and Ipod but it seems some people only want to continue in their circle-jerk with Steve Jobs. Fanboys really have to be the loneliest creatures on the planet.

  • ChidoriBoyU

    Posted Sep 16, 2009 4:41 am PT

    zunes are really cool devices but i don't think they are suited for gaming if M$ really wanna enter the portable gaming war then they should make the Y device we heard about or the xbox portable if we may call it this way

  • gandalf_storm

    Posted Sep 16, 2009 2:08 am PT

    never seen a zune in the uk, is it ever coming out over here ?

  • shani_boy101

    Posted Sep 16, 2009 2:05 am PT

    looks cool, but if this is MS's attempt at portable gaming then they're screwed. it will never compete with the PSP or DS.

    It will only compete with the iPhone and iPod Touch, and even if the Zune HD is actually better than the iPhone and iPod Touch, it will be dominated by them. You could do a random survey and just about anywhere and you'll find next to no-one (maybe 1-2 out of 100) knows what a Zune is.

  • drangel_jam

    Posted Sep 16, 2009 1:42 am PT

    don't care

  • Zophar87

    Posted Sep 16, 2009 12:37 am PT

    Looks cool, not just cool but REALLY cool. I'd give up my iPod for this if I could. However, if this is Microsoft's attempt a portable gaming, then I'm not impressed.

  • hectadectagon

    Posted Sep 15, 2009 11:59 pm PT

    I think people need to have a look and come to the realization that the games are all from MS and free. There is no Marketplace for games and the fact that they repeatedly say its purely a media device and the 'other stuff' is what the Windows Mobile platform is for (http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/technologybrierdudleysblog/2009867170_microsoft_launches_zune_clarif.html).

    It has great hardware in the Tegra GPU but MS doesn't want to admit it can't get its sh!t together. Face facts, Apple has the touch and iPhone with supporting software on the Mac and PC without fragmenting the offering the way MS does. Apple got a touch iPod and iPhone from OS version 1 to 3.1 in the time MS has talked about WIndows Mobile 6.5 and the Zune HD isn't even out yet.

    [Edit] To put a finer point on it, the Zune is only available in America/Canada so there is no way they can compete with the iPod in the global market.

  • HumanoMexicano

    Posted Sep 15, 2009 11:13 pm PT

    Rev8691 apple products are EXPENSIVE and are not the best. BEST example is the ipod. You gotta love the way it supports ALL the audio codecs out there EH? Give this a chance
    http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16855228030

    If you like your mp3's players for THE SOUND QUALITY. much love.

  • JOKER677

    Posted Sep 15, 2009 10:32 pm PT

    I liked the zune more than the ipod not only because everyone else had an ipod but just because it seemed easier to use on the comptuter and the interface was better

  • Flint247

    Posted Sep 15, 2009 10:04 pm PT

    I might get a Zune HD. I like the features of it. I owned a 4GB Zune so I am used to Zunes

  • Darkon_X

    Posted Sep 15, 2009 9:50 pm PT

    Getting mine tomorrow. The few apps and games they have right now suck... to say the least. A calculator app? LOL. But I heard that Nvidia tegra chip is really good, I can't wait for PGR: Ferrari.

    There better be a Mass Effect on this thing too.

  • cowman_53 posted Sep 15, 2009 9:42 pm PT (does not meet display criteria. sign in to show)

    cowman_53

    Posted Sep 15, 2009 9:42 pm PT (hide)

    Whoever gave me a thumbs down is a jerk face

  • fionndruinne

    Posted Sep 15, 2009 9:41 pm PT

    @ChiefHunter1: Zune HD doesn't have Silverlight/Flash support yet, but technically, neither does iPod. The Touch makes use of a third-party app to watch YouTube videos, but Adobe is *slowly* working out a mobile flash player the likes of which Zune and iPod will both make use of. It's in the works.

  • Rev8691 posted Sep 15, 2009 9:33 pm PT (does not meet display criteria. sign in to show)

    Rev8691

    Posted Sep 15, 2009 9:33 pm PT (hide)

    i love how people will hate something once it turns popular. for example, the once underdog apple was loved and now that it has become mainstream... "apple sucks!" people always want more than they have and are never satisfied, plus love to talk and complain. similar thing happened with sony. anyway, have you ever actually held a Zune before? they are garbage.

  • cowman_53

    Posted Sep 15, 2009 9:28 pm PT

    @lbjkurono23
    why didn't you just get a normal phone then?

  • ShammySham

    Posted Sep 15, 2009 9:27 pm PT

    Audiosurf on a MP3 Player? Very intriguing...

  • Ryuketsu2043

    Posted Sep 15, 2009 9:10 pm PT

    i knew it was only a matter of time till audiosurf hit zunes/ipods

  • ChiefHunter1

    Posted Sep 15, 2009 8:52 pm PT

    I really like a lot of the things ive read about the Zune HD but I read somewhere that it doesn't support flash videos or even Silverlight (made by microsoft btw). This means you cant use youtube. Can anyone confirm or deny this???

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