With the release of the new XNA Game Studio 3.0 Community Technology Preview (Known as a CTP) developers have been empowered with the tools used to create games for the windows and more importantly the Zune platforms.
The goal of this article to introduce the reader to the process of using XNA Game Studio 3.0 CTP to create games targeted at the Zune media device. In addition, introduce the reader to the default fields and methods the XNA Framework provides to build from that help developers create games faster.
Description: Introduction to XNA on the Zune
Target Audience: Novice developer
Keywords: XNA, Windows, Zune, Game Studio
Requirements: Zune (Any model)
Getting started with XNA
To get started using XNA Game Studio 3.0 CTP you will need to download and install the following packages:
(Detailed info can be found here)
- Developers with Microsoft Game Studio 2.0 installed will need to remove the Microsoft Games for Windows – LIVE Redistributable from their system before they can continue.
- Microsoft Visual Studio 2008 C# Express Edition. (Note all Visual Studio 2008 SKU's are supported.)
- Microsoft XNA Game Studio 3.0 CTP.
- Update Zune software to v2.5.
Once you have downloaded and installed the software packages listed above you are just about ready to dive in and create your first Microsoft XNA Game Studio based game, deploy it to the device and see it actually running on the Zune hardware.
Getting Started with the Zune
To be able to deploy any Microsoft XNA Game Studio 3.0 CTP project to the Zune hardware you must first create a device connection using the XNA Game Studio Device Center. To add your Zune hardware to the device simply follow the tasks outlined below:
- Start the device center by clicking, Start | Programs | Microsoft XNA Game Studio | XNA Game Studio Device Center.
- Once opened click Add Device and click Zune.
- From the list of devices present select the hardware that you wish to add and click Next.
- Close XNA Game Studio Device Center.
Once the steps outlined above are complete the selected Zune hardware is ready for use by Microsoft Game Studio 3.0 CTP to deploy game and media projects to the Zune device(s). The reader should also have a better understanding of the steps required to prepare their systems for game development on theMicrosoft Zune platform using Microsoft XNA Game Studio 3.0 CTP.
What's next?
In part 2 of "Getting Started with XNA and the Zune," readers will be introduced to the default "Zune Game (3.0)" project template provided by XNA Game Studio 3.0 CTP and will describe each of the methods provided by the default "Zune Game (3,0)" template and how these methods are used to simplify the game development process.
By Matthew Randall. (Exhale Game Studio)