When we released the XNA Game Studio 3.0 CTP, we got a lot of great feedback from customers on the release with regards to things users wanted to be able to do while playing a game on their Zune. Users wanted to be able to interact with their music around playing a game but more specifically some of these feature requests included:

• Ability to Adjust Zune Volume (Thanks to Embassy Online for adding this suggestion to Connect!)
• Select different songs on the device
• Change to a different playlist.
• Get information about their battery status.

We wanted to provide this functionality to game developers without having to build all this functionality themselves. I’m excited to say that we’ve addressed these issues with the upcoming XNA Game Studio 3.0 beta and Zune 3.0 firmware by giving you access to a new feature, the Games System Media Control on the Zune device. Check it out:

This allows you to adjust the volume on the device, shuffle your songs and select playlists to start listening to while playing the games that provide access to the Zune Games System Media Control. Once you have some songs queued up, you can switch between them using the “now playing” list. The Zune Games System Media Control also gives quick reference to the battery status and allows you to determine if WiFi is enabled or not. You can also use the Play/Pause button to start and pause your music while the control is active. Simply hit the back button and you’ll be returned to the game! Adding this functionality to your game couldn’t be easier, in fact it’s a simple call:

Guide.Show();

We think that this is a great start to adding some universal functionality while in games, note that you don’t have to use it but I would recommend adding it as an advanced menu option in another menu system like the zuneBlade. You’ll be allowing users of your game quick and easy access to their music and volume controls, give it a try with the upcoming beta let me know what you think!