Zune XNA support coming this month

News

Ed Fear May 6 2008, 10:17am

Microsoft aiming for first community tech preview in coming weeks

XNA-based games could be heading to Zune devices as early as this month, according to Engadget.

Microsoft is allegedly preparing a community technology preview of the technology for release this month, and has at least four games currently running on the platform: shooter Zauri, Hexic, Potato Chase and Alien Takeover.

Developers targeting the Zune have access to 16Mb of RAM, a 240x320 display and support for up to eight-player gaming via ad-hoc WiFi connections.

Zune support makes up one of the biggest additions for XNA Game Studio 3.0, which is expected to launch before the end of the year, in addition to support for the Xbox Live Community Games service.

XNA lead Chris Satchell has previously spoken to Develop about what lies next for XNA, including the possibility of extending to Windows Mobile-based smartphones in the near future. For more on the new features in XNA 3.0 and what comes next, check out parts one and two of our post-GDC announcement chat with Satchell.