Are you ready to start programming games for your Zune? All you need is XNA Game Studio 3.0 and any model of the Zune media device. Follow these steps to get started with your first Zune game. Once you've done that, try our first Zune Mini-Game, Alien Game!

1. Update Your Zune Software and Firmware
Zune devices running firmware version 3.0 or later support XNA Game Studio. If your device does not already have firmware version 3.0 or later, you'll need to update your Zune.

If you are a new Zune customer, visit http://www.zune.net/setup, and install the Zune software for your computer.

If you already have the Zune software installed on your computer, check for updates. From the Zune software menu, click Settings | GENERAL | CHECK FOR UPDATES.
Use the Zune sync cable to connect the Zune device to your computer. Connect the sync cable to a USB port on the computer. Do not connect to a USB hub.

Note
If the Zune device battery is critically low, charge your Zune device before you continue. For information about how to charge your Zune device, see this Microsoft Knowledge Base article: How to charge the battery in your Zune device.

Open the Zune software on your desktop computer while the Zune device is still connected to it. The Zune software searches the Internet for the latest version of the firmware. If there is a more recent version of the Zune device firmware available, you will get a message to update your device.

Note
Do not move or disconnect the Zune device until you complete the update. The update may take several minutes. During this time, the Zune device may restart several times. Please be patient.

2. Add Your Zune to the XNA Game Studio Device Center
Once you add your Zune to the XNA Game Studio Device Center, XNA Game Studio can connect to your Zune. After that, you can deploy and debug games.
Use the Zune sync cable to connect the Zune device to your computer.
Start the device center by clicking Start | Programs | Microsoft XNA Game Studio 3.0 | XNA Game Studio Device Center.

Click Add Device, and then click Zune.

1. The device center displays a list of connected Zune devices.
2. In the list of connected Zunes, click the one that you want to add, and then click Next.
3. The Zune you selected is added to the list of devices in the device center.
4. You can now close the XNA Game Studio Device Center.

Note
If you are having trouble connecting to your Zune device, or the device is not showing up in the device center, close the Zune client desktop software (if it is running).

You can also configure the Zune desktop software to not launch automatically when a Zune device is connected. You will find this setting under Settings | Device | SYNC OPTIONS.

3. Create and Deploy a Zune Project
Now try out your Zune development by deploying a simple, blank XNA Game Studio game.
To deploy a simple, blank XNA Game Studio game:

1. On your Windows-based computer, at the main Visual Studio screen, click File | New Project (or File | New | Project, depending on your Visual Studio configuration).
2. From Project types, expand Visual C#, and select XNA Game Studio 3.0.
3. In Visual Studio installed templates, select Zune Game (3.0), and then click OK.
4. On your Windows-based computer, with your new project open, press the F5 key.

The project will build. It launches XNA Game Studio Connect on the Zune device, deploys the project and other necessary files to the Zune, and then launches the game.

At this point, you should see a simple display on your Zune: a light blue screen. If you see this screen, you have successfully deployed a game to your Zune. You can now deploy and play any game you dream and build!

To stop the game and return to the main screen of XNA Game Studio Connect:

Press the BACK button on your Zune
- or -
Stop debugging by pressing SHIFT+F5 on your computer.

Note
When an XNA Framework game exits on the Zune that was run as a standalone, the Zune device reboots. This behavior is by design. Also, note that the Zune will reboot when you exit XNA Game Studio Connect. You can do this by pressing the center button on the Zune while you are at the XNA Game Studio Connect screen.

Note
Holding down the Back button for 2 seconds will force the currently-executing game to exit, regardless of the game's normal exit semantics.

Congratulations! You're off to a great start developing games for Zune.

Ready to dive in deep?
Check out our first Mini Game for Zune, Alien Game. In Alien Game, you control a tank with the sole purpose of defending the earth from an alien invasion! It's a simple yet addictive game that is both fun and educational.
Alien Game has several features that you can learn about and integrate into your game. Some of the features are:

- Media Integration, which enables you to start songs directly from the game!
- Support for both Zune input types (Zune Pad and Dpad)
- Menu and state management system

Download Alien Game for XNA Game Studio 3.0 now!