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After months of speculation and rumors, a video spotted via Wired has finally confirmed that, yes, Microsoft's Zune HD will be a portable gaming device.

The video above states right there in plain Englay at 32 seconds in, "Play games." A Microsoft representative tells Wired that a handful of titles will be available right from the start when the device launches today. Gizmodo reports some of the first to be Project Gotham Racing: Ferrari Edition, Vans Sk8: Pool Service and AudioSurf Tilt.

This and a few other clips touting the Zune HD's new features were apparently leaked over the weekend and then promptly snatched away again at the request of Microsoft. No point in keeping secrets now, as it's hitting retail shelves as I type this. On top of games and HD Radio compatibility, the device also boasts Xbox 360 integration, with the ability to play HD video downloaded from Xbox Live.

No word yet on whether any of your XBLA titles will work on this thing, but given its touch screen interface it's safe to say the iPhone may have something to worry about. We'll keep you posted as further information rolls in. Hooray?








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49 comments | showing # 1 to 49
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Niero's Avatar - Comment posted on 09/15/2009 06:14
Niero
Why did they get a science teacher to do the voice over?
Topher Cantler's Avatar - Comment posted on 09/15/2009 06:17
Topher Cantler
Hahaha.

Also, side note: The Youtube title dealy says "Forza Motorsport" on it, but there is fuckall to confirm that's actually what you're looking at. That could be any racing game. I didn't mention it because proper JOURNALISM.
Topher Cantler's Avatar - Comment posted on 09/15/2009 06:45
Topher Cantler
Updated w/sum info from Gizmodo. Probably Project Gotham we're seeing in the vid.
lem's Avatar - Comment posted on 09/15/2009 06:49
lem
HD Spongongebob!? Let me at the bastard!
Although, this as with the original Zune I assume won't be coming to Australia land?
Birdman the Friendly's Avatar - Comment posted on 09/15/2009 07:01
Birdman the Friendly
This looks nifty, but I'm more than happy with my iPhone for all of that stuff. I wonder how much support it will get from developers?
ZenGaijin's Avatar - Comment posted on 09/15/2009 07:05
ZenGaijin
I won't upgrade until they get an 80GB option and its reasonably priced.
Topher Cantler's Avatar - Comment posted on 09/15/2009 07:06
Topher Cantler
I think it's cool that it does all that stuff, but it's still not a phone, which still makes for one more thing you have to carry around in your pocket.
PySk's Avatar - Comment posted on 09/15/2009 07:16
PySk
It's still not coming to Europe any time soon. :(
Monster w21 Faces's Avatar - Comment posted on 09/15/2009 07:24
Monster w21 Faces
I imported my gen1 Zune to Europe a few years back and I love it. Will deffo have to import an HD too. Too good to pass up.
atastysammich's Avatar - Comment posted on 09/15/2009 07:27
atastysammich


WHY IS THIS THING GETTING THE FIRST HANDHELD PORT OF AUDIOSURF?!
Monodi's Avatar - Comment posted on 09/15/2009 08:18
Monodi
I want a handheld that is fully based on Steam
sheppy's Avatar - Comment posted on 09/15/2009 08:32
sheppy
Didn't they list games on the first Zune? Why yes they did. Isn't Zune one of the platforms in the XNA development tools? Why yes it is. Should we trust anything about the gaming prowess here until MS shows some REAL effort on this front? No, no we shouldn't.
funran's Avatar - Comment posted on 09/15/2009 08:43
funran
Monodi, that's the best idea i've ever heard!
Cowboy TTop's Avatar - Comment posted on 09/15/2009 09:02
Cowboy TTop
I feel this will run XNA/Live Arcade games. Where else are the games going to come from?

If the tech is near Xbox quality, then we'll see more of its hand later on. I'd say don't write MS out on this Zune. Remember, the original Xbox didn't do so well either, but 360 is soaring. If MS play their cards right, the Zune will too.
garison's Avatar - Comment posted on 09/15/2009 09:08
garison
I don't think it's similar enough to the iPod touch. I don't think I want it.
MowDownJoe's Avatar - Comment posted on 09/15/2009 09:33
MowDownJoe
@sammich: This is getting Audiosurf?

...I want one. When my iPod dies, I'm getting a Zune HD.
Elsa's Avatar - Comment posted on 09/15/2009 09:38
Elsa
No big surprises there...
Chronic Logic's Avatar - Comment posted on 09/15/2009 10:04
Chronic Logic
xbox/zune interactivity?
triumphofhearts's Avatar - Comment posted on 09/15/2009 10:23
triumphofhearts
ACHIEVEMENTS?

That'd swing a purchase for me.

Audiosurf puts me at the edge of the cliff, Achievements would force me to take the big plunge.
sewerraccoon's Avatar - Comment posted on 09/15/2009 10:24
sewerraccoon
Sure is iPhone port in here...
Los255's Avatar - Comment posted on 09/15/2009 10:45
Los255
Would be cool if you
can stream music from the Zune to the 360.
CWal37's Avatar - Comment posted on 09/15/2009 10:49
CWal37
I love my old Zune, so I'll probably get one of these when it dies. Although going from 120GB to these is a big step down.
Zepfhyr's Avatar - Comment posted on 09/15/2009 10:52
Zepfhyr
I doubt the iPhone has anything to worry about, as Microsoft has already reportedly approached a number of iPhone devs, asked them to port their apps, and were turned down. That doesn't mean that some won't go through with it, but the success of the iPhone is largely to do with the success of the App Store. Microsoft has been very successful with XBLA, so they're no strangers to running their own downloadable store, but without talented developers that know the ins and outs of programming for a touch-screen device, there's no guarantee.

But, I do hope that some devs port their games to it and add cross-platform multiplayer, so that the number of players in some of my games goes up. Some people would not buy the iPod Touch/iPhone just because it's Apple, and now they've got a device that they can use instead.
Soulwax's Avatar - Comment posted on 09/15/2009 10:56
Soulwax
Give me Audiosurf for my iPod please. Then I'll be excited.
Jon B's Avatar - Comment posted on 09/15/2009 11:05
Jon B
Wow, Audosurf mobile! That looks r-
"Only available in the US."
...cock.
sicPOS's Avatar - Comment posted on 09/15/2009 11:18
sicPOS
Audiosurf! In my pocket!

I don't have the money to spend on this thing :(
Optimaximal's Avatar - Comment posted on 09/15/2009 11:29
Optimaximal
Seriously, what the FUCK is 'Englay'... What was wrong with 'anglais'?
Zepfhyr's Avatar - Comment posted on 09/15/2009 11:42
Zepfhyr
Also, @Cowboy TTop, the touch screen is not conducive to controls for traditional games. Certain XBLA games could be ported quite easily, such as Age of Booty, but games like Castle Crashers would be more difficult, as on-screen touch controls are less precise than button controls.

Furthermore, the architecture for the Zune HD is going to share a great deal more in common with the iPod Touch than the 360 (particularly due to the fact that the 360 uses PowerPC chips, similar to older Apple Macs, while the Zune HD likely uses an Atom processor, which is Intel and therefore completely incompatible with games developed for the 360.

More than likely, games developed for the Zune HD will be ports of iPhone apps, ports of Flash apps, or developed from the ground up for the device (or possibly both Zune HD and iPhone/iPod Touch).

Personally, I'm not a fan of the original Zune, and as such I am skeptical about the Zune HD. But, I'm all for more competition in the marketplace, as Apple will certainly push forward on the iPod Touch, and developers will make better games for all platforms as a result.
Sterling Aiayla Lyons's Avatar - Comment posted on 09/15/2009 11:51
Sterling Aiayla Lyons
I always wanted to make a game for the second generation Zunes. Had a control scheme worked out conceptually.

Anyhow, I really want a Zune HD...I just can't afford one. I hate how the new desktop software taunts me with the apps. It says I don't have any, and tells me to go to the marketplace to get some, but then I go and it says that I need a Zune HD to get any of them T_T.
brimtastic's Avatar - Comment posted on 09/15/2009 11:56
brimtastic
Audiosurf Tilt? Well, sex me up.
KorJax's Avatar - Comment posted on 09/15/2009 12:12
KorJax
@zepher
actually the zhd uses the nvidia tegra proc, which has 3d support and 8 CPU cores.
Also audiosurf fuck yeah! PS: i am posting this from my zuneHD, its fucking awesome.
Steel Brotha's Avatar - Comment posted on 09/15/2009 12:16
Steel Brotha
well this would be nice if we're sure that the thing won't freeze after new year's like the original.
vexed alex's Avatar - Comment posted on 09/15/2009 12:45
vexed alex
What is it with this and the iTouch not having enough memory? 32GB? Bitch, I'm from the internet. I have way too much data for this mess.

But...did I just read Audiosurf?! YES PLEASE!
Zepfhyr's Avatar - Comment posted on 09/15/2009 12:58
Zepfhyr
@KorJax You are correct. I did some research on it after you mentioned that. I found a really interesting article that breaks down the Zune HD. It's written by someone that does not seem to be impressed with the device. However, it makes some interesting points about the OLED screen and Tegra processor that I highly recommend checking out to anyone that is considering purchasing a Zune HD. Of course, it's only one article, so be sure to check out others, as well. It's always important to be well-informed about any purchase that costs over $200.

http://www.roughlydrafted.com/2009/09/14/from-oled-to-tegra-five-myths-of-the-zune-hd/
Holyetheline's Avatar - Comment posted on 09/15/2009 13:06
Holyetheline
I do like this zune thing for some reason, maybe I'll buy one.
Zeta Crossfire's Avatar - Comment posted on 09/15/2009 14:05
Zeta Crossfire
just called up the 5 nearest best buys and there all sold out of them. Damn knew i should of ordered one.
mrplow8's Avatar - Comment posted on 09/15/2009 14:45
mrplow8
Does Zune HD even have buttons? I don't know if I want to play games with nothing but a touch screen. At the very least, that limits the number of games that would work well on Zune HD.
Zepfhyr's Avatar - Comment posted on 09/15/2009 15:01
Zepfhyr
@mrplow8 My understanding is that the buttons it does have are hard-coded to device-specific features a la the iPhone/iPod Touch. This would prevent them from being used in any applications.
mrplow8's Avatar - Comment posted on 09/15/2009 15:24
mrplow8
I've never owned an iPhone or an iPod Touch, so I'm not familiar with how they work, but all the pics I've seen of Zune HD looks like it doesn't have any buttons at all.
Zepfhyr's Avatar - Comment posted on 09/15/2009 15:52
Zepfhyr
@mrplow8 It has a trapezoidal Home button that sits at the very edge of the screen, protruding into the aluminum casing. The other two buttons are a power button on the upper right and a button on the upper left that brings up volume controls, play/pause, etc. Based on that, it's unlikely that they can be used for gaming. That's essentially the same as the iPhone. The buttons work slightly differently, but also cannot be used for other purposes beyond what the system assigns them to do.
wanderingpixel's Avatar - Comment posted on 09/15/2009 15:54
wanderingpixel
What the hell is a Zune?
KyleGamgee's Avatar - Comment posted on 09/15/2009 17:10
KyleGamgee
I am really considering purchasing this. The HD radio is a real draw for me, as well as the 360 interface.
ace of knaves's Avatar - Comment posted on 09/15/2009 19:53
ace of knaves
Remember when they all broke? That was hilarious.
vApathyv's Avatar - Comment posted on 09/15/2009 19:58
vApathyv
@Ace of Knaves-

Actually, as a Zune owner and Zune lover, that was pretty fucking hilarious. Especially when I heard my one friend threw his at the wall and destroyed it merely ten minutes before I told him they were working now. Funny stuff.

Also, as much as I'd fucking kill for portable Audiosurf (Especially on a music device), I'm still really holding out for some form of XBLA compatibility. Either way though, I can't wait to get mine. My 30gb Halo Zune has been through hell and back.
KorJax's Avatar - Comment posted on 09/15/2009 22:02
KorJax
@zephr

That's not exactly a repetutible article at all. It orignates from an apple-fansite, and all of the information it gives is either false or was true 2-3 years ago. Such as, OLED's lifetime is currently rated about 5-7 years, which is well within the lifespan of most PMP's.

And the tegra stuff is just avoiding the real facts. Such as the article says that the tegra could run quake 3 at 35 FPS but the iPhone could run it at 40-45 FPS. What (on purpose) didn't mention was that the tegra chip was running the game at double the iPhone resolution, and was using anti-aliasing+AF.

It's so increadibly biased and wrong it's not even funny. It's even more retarded that the apple crowd is throwing it around as if it's fact. If you even try to say otherwise on their forums they outright ban you and delete your post, to make it seem like everyone agrees with them. It's absolutely rediculous.
WarZombie's Avatar - Comment posted on 09/16/2009 01:57
WarZombie
Ugh.

It can say it plays games all it wants, we all know that it isn't MS answer to the PSP/DS, which makes me upset. This is direct iPhone competition, not competition for the real handheld gaming devices.
Moofey's Avatar - Comment posted on 09/16/2009 12:57
Moofey
I'm still waiting for Microsoft to get the "launch zune marketplace in canada" achievement.

Else come the new year, I'm switching to iPod.
Chibi_Zero's Avatar - Comment posted on 09/16/2009 16:06
Chibi_Zero
ace of knaves: IT happened in the middle of an overnight shift for me...

I can't wait to pick up the Zune HD in a couple months... probably sometime after the Holidays. I want to sit back as see if there are any problems with it.
Zepfhyr's Avatar - Comment posted on 09/16/2009 17:12
Zepfhyr
@KorJax, I'm pretty sure I pointed out that the article had a bias to it when I mentioned it. However, that doesn't mean that the information in it isn't true. The Tegra is too new a processor to know for sure, but OLEDs have been on the market for some time now. I'm not suggesting the article be taken as fact, and even mentioned above that other articles should be considered as well.
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