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Loose Threads: Will Zune gaming be any good?

It could be if it wanted to, but it probably won't...

Loose Threads: Will Zune gaming be any good?
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iPhone + N-Gage + DS ...

A good while back the internet was aflutter with rumours of a new handheld device being soldered, tweaked and prodded deep in the bowels of the Xbox division. Shortly thereafter, Microsoft announced the Zune, the latest in a long line of devices to be dubbed an 'iPod killer', prompting raised eyebrows all round (and dashed hopes for those holding out for a portable Xbox).

Then came news that the device was networked, raising more eyebrows and giving it something that the iPod didn't (at the time) have. Then things got really strange as rumours worked their way into the blogosphere claiming that the Zune MP3 player was merely the first in a family of portable devices, with a gaming variant set to arrive before too long. That particular phantom has yet to materialize, and here in Europe we are still waiting on the plain old MP3 version arriving.

Even so, though it wasn't necessarily on the agenda from the start, Microsoft has since made it clear that its Zune device will benefit from XNA developed games before long, and rumours about a third generation Zune launching in Europe next year, complete with a big neon sticker on the front reading "I play games too now" (or something), are mounting faster than you can say "but I've already got an iPod touch."

In anticipation of this potential pocket gaming bombshell, we asked you lot last week whether you think Zune gaming will be any good. Here's what you thought.

Though apparently somewhat mystified by the whole affair, danskmacabre still had plenty to say on the topic:

"I'll be honest and say I know very little about the Zune. I thought it was an iPod-like device by Microsoft. Here in the UK I don't know anyone who has one, I haven't even seen them advertised. I would of thought it would need a lot more exposure/user base here for it to be a success. Still, if there was some really decent games for it I might be interested. Having a really nice media player that doubled as a GOOD gaming platform could be nice, I suppose."

Is that a thinly veiled attack on the PSP or the iPod, dansk? Either way, the delay in the Zune's arrival in the UK clearly hasn't gone unnoticed, but will it be able to command attention when it does arrive? Mandark threw his two cents in next:

"Hard to say. A tie-up between the Zune and the Xbox 360 would probably help but the Zune still seems pretty much a mystery to me. I couldn't even tell you if there are any games for it without googling!"

Unfortunately a tie-up between the Zune and Xbox Live doesn't seem like it's going to arrive for quite a while, but Mandark wasn't the only one who wants such a set-up:

"I know that the Zune isn't terribly popular and in spite of whatever Microsoft chooses to do with it from a gaming point of view, I doubt it ever will be, it's just too late to the party on a brand level. "Which is a shame as the potential is massive. If Microsoft was to release a portable console that was 100 per cent compatible with Xbox Live Arcade, I'd buy it in a heartbeat. Though the XBLA back catalogue is a great success on the 360, its natural home is really on a portable device where you want something fun/unique/nostalgic, but not necessarily deep and involving. "If Microsoft was to chuck in support for Xbox Originals too and ramp up what's available on the Marketplace I think it would have the perfect recipe for pocket gaming gold."

Accelorata Jengold's vision of a Zune gaming system sounds great to us, as it does SetsFireToPoshHammer, but as the latter rightfully points out, things are never that simple:

"That would be pretty cool, but even if Microsoft did have sense enough to release such a device, it would hardly be able to remain within the Zune family, would it? "I really don't understand what Microsoft is trying to do here. So the company has a gaming brand, and a portable digital media player brand, both of which are taken care of by the same division. Will adding games to the Zune (some of which may have some sort of interoperability with XBLA) not just baffle the consumer? "Why didn't Microsoft just hold off on their digital media player and release an Xbox branded device capable of what Accelorata suggests but with plenty of added media support for things like music, video and the internet too? Kind of like a PSP done right. "Though some of the games will probably be pretty decent, I really don't think Microsoft has thought this one through."

Well, Microsoft is certainly taking its time over the whole affair, so perhaps it's putting more thought into this than we might at first assume. Even so, it's still difficult to understand how Microsoft will convince consumers to get a Zune for gaming without falling back on the Xbox brand in some capacity. But if that does happen, we have to agree, it would be a pretty baffling prospect for Joe/Jane casual gamer at retail.

Elsewhere in the forum, yet another new face, Marmite, is in need of assistance with Might and Magic v1:

"Hi all, I'm stuck. "I can't remember which level but I'll try to explain as best as I can. I'm with Kayn (the one who can become wolf, dust and a bat). I have just rode on the back of Kayn (as a wolf), we had to get over some frozen ground dodging about five spiked floating balls. At the end I jumped off and lit a lantern with my fire ball. Two wizards appeared who threw fire balls and electricity. "Once killed three orbs appeared, and I have to get through the gate. What gives, I've tried everything. Help."

Anyone here been there and done that? If so, do your good deed for the day and help out a fellow pocket gamer.

And with that, we march inexorably towards next week's topic:

Is the DS in trouble?

We're stirring up a hornets' nest with this one (details of which can be found here), so to make sure you don't miss out on the inevitable heated discussion click 'Track It!' to catch next week's Loose Threads.