Online game development hub Gamasutra has released an in-depth featurette on Microsoft and several of its products, namely its Zune digital music player.

Before its confirmation of the Zune as a portable music device, the rumor mill seemed to direct all inquiring minds to the indication that the product would signal Microsoft’s initial foray into the portable gaming market. However, market analysts were stunned to find out the device was instead intended to compete with Apple’s iPod-driven strangehold over the portable music player market, and fans of Microsoft Corporation’s Xbox platform were disappointed to discover no portable gaming plans were in the works.

Or so it would seem.

However, let the rumor mill commence its unsavory task once more, as Microsoft employees questioned by Gamasutra revealed that Wolfenstein 3D was recently ported to the Zune, and the results were alleged to be surprisingly good. While there is little, at this time, to suggest that the Zune itself will in fact turn into a portable gaming device as well, one cannot help but wonder why Microsoft has still yet to make an attempt at combating the two-way market of handheld console gaming.

More on this to follow.