1.Update Your Zune Software and Firmware
Zune devices running firmware version 2.5 or later support XNA Game Studio. If your device does not already have firmware version 2.5 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.
Note
While there is a version of the Zune software for 64-bit computers, please note that XNA Game Studio does not support 64-bit computers for Zune development. This issue will be fixed in the next update to XNA Game Studio.
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, we recommend that you 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 your computer. The Zune software searches the Internet for the latest version of the firmware. If a newer version of the Zune device firmware is available, a notice to update your device appears.
Note
Do not move or disconnect the Zune device until the update is complete. 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 will be able to 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 | XNA Game Studio Device Center.
Click Add Device, and then click Zune.
- The device center will display a list of connected Zune devices.
- In the list of connected Zunes, click the one that you want to add.
- Click Next.
- Zune you selected will be added to the list of devices in the device center.
- 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 you can try out Zune development by deploying a simple, blank XNA Game Studio game.
To deploy a simple, blank XNA Game Studio game:
- 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).
- From Project types, expand Visual C# and select XNA Game Studio 3.0.
- In Visual Studio installed templates, select Zune Game (3.0).
- Click OK.
- 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, either:
- 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, the Zune device reboots. This behavior is by design. Also, this behavior is desirable because it ensures that game and runtime resources are completely cleaned up after a game exits
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 such as:
- 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 CTP now!
