Another announcement from Microsoft during GDC involved an arrangement that Microsoft has finalized between itself and XNA Game Studio. According to the terms of deal, XNA would be featuring game titles that they have developed, such as the space combat game Zauri (which has been created to be MP3 supportable on Zune), and XNA’s puzzle staple Hexic. Although this is a big step for Microsoft, as it broadens the entertainment and media capacity that the Zune already enjoys bringing it to a new level; however, there is an issue that could rise to a head.

If there’s one thing that any mobile gamer knows, its that control is often the most important thing, as control that has been minimized too much can be just as big a handicap as a control scheme that is too large and unresponsive. Still, the fact that this represents a major leap forward in the spread of Internet-based creative gaming is an important step in and of itself, but it remains to be seen just how well the merger of independent gaming and a major gaming provider like Microsoft will work with the implementation of XNA media on the Zune. All in all, though, this 2008 year will prove to be an exciting time for the gaming community as a whole.