New XNA Game Studio Feature: Zune System Media Control
Michael Klucher 9/14/2008 1:49:46 AMWhen 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!
Brian says:
11.09.2008 at 12:11 AMThis is awesome! I want to use it in my app, but I can't find Guide.Show() anywhere in the code (I'm using XNA 3.0 final release). Has the Show method been moved?
Thanks. -B
Michael Klucher says:
11.09.2008 at 12:17 AMYep it's still there. Make sure you have this in your code:
using Microsoft.Xna.Framework.GamerServices;
Brian says:
11.09.2008 at 1:38 AMThanks for the speedy reply :) Unfortunately I'm still having issues. I have the using line, but when I type "Guide." the auto complete only comes up with
Guide.ShowComposeMessage
Guide.ShowFriendRequest
Guide.ShowFriends
Guide.ShowGameInvite
Guide.ShowGamerCard
Guide.ShowMarketplace
Guide.ShowMessages
Guide.ShowPlayerReview
Guide.ShowPlayers
Guide.ShowSignIn
Is there something else I'm missing? Thanks again for your help, I really appreciate it!
Paul says:
11.11.2008 at 12:52 PMI'm having this exact same problem as brian discribed. Any help would be much appreciated.
Brian says:
11.11.2008 at 1:36 PMMy apologies, I was testing the game in the windows project and didn't have the Guide.Show() wrapped in a "#if ZUNE", sorry for the trouble
Tim says:
1.04.2009 at 11:39 AMIs there a way to display this in landscape mode? That would be helpful if you could. Thanks!