Windows Phone 7 Series as a gaming device: Demos and 3D, but no multiplayer or multitasking

Microsoft recently held its MIX conference in Las Vegas, giving the full run-down of the upcoming Windows Phone 7 Series.

Much of what emerged is related to gaming on the device, including which partners are signed up to develop games, the Marketplace, Xbox Live integration, and hardware specifications.

Game developers will find that the slew of hardware and software features that they can use are similar to the iPhone's assets. App creators can use the phone's accelerometer, multi-touch interaction, GPS and location services, 3D graphics, and a notification system for grabbing the user's attention, even when the app is closed (similar to the iPhone's push notification).

What's perhaps more interesting, though, is the list of things that developers can't do. There will be, for example, no real time online multiplayer.

IGN reports: "The thought process [is] that mobile players would face too many interruptions while on-the-go. Moreover, real-time network communication for multiplayer play would likely kill a handset's battery life."

Instead, turn-based games are being put forward for multiplayer support.

You also can't multi-task with third party apps (although some tools like Pandora, a radio service, will let you continue playing music outside the app). There will also be no removable storage on Windows 7 phones, and you can't add applications outside of the Windows Phone Marketplace.

Games on the Marketplace will feature "Try before you buy" style demos, which should hopefully clear up the Lite-versions that have clogged up the iPhone's App Store.

As Microsoft has shown before, you'll be able to hook your 7 Series phone up to your Xbox Live Gamertag, allowing you to check messages, achievements, friends, and your avatar from your phone. Some developers will also be allowed to award achievements to your Xbox Live account.

If you want to make an game for the 7 Series, you can use XNA (the development tools used for Xbox Live Indie games on the 360), while applications will more likely use Silverlight, Microsoft's take on Flash.

Developers, publishers, and partners currently signed up to make content include, on the games side, Sega, EA, Konami and Microsoft Game Studios.

Windows Phone 7 Series devices are expected to launch at the end of 2010.