XNA Game Studio Express targets hobbyists, students, and "indie" developers.
The Studio comprises an "integrated, seamless" development environment along with "optimized" cross-platform gaming libraries based on .NET, according to Microsoft. Together, these tools and libraries can be used to produce game content targeting Windows XP SP2-based PCs.
Targeting games to the Xbox 360 requires the addition of an active membership in the XNA Creators Club, a just-launched service of the Xbox Live Marketplace, according to Microsoft. The XNA Creators Club service -- which costs $49 for four months, or $99 annually -- is said to offer game developers access to "thousands of game assets" offered by Microsoft and various third party partners, including whitepapers, "specialized starter kits," samples, and product technical support.
Chris Satchell, general manager of Microsoft's Game Developer Group, stated: "The XNA Creators Club is really the first of its kind -- an opportunity to join a community of other developers who are empowered to bring their game ideas to life on a next-generation console system. When it comes to encouraging development on XNA Game Studio Express and through the XNA Creators Club, the limits are truly endless. What users will see today is just the beginning of the plans we have to revolutionize game development one creative game idea at a time."
To add icing to the cake, Microsoft also announced a "
Dream-Build-Play" contest for game developers using XNA Game Studio Express. The contest will launch in January. The winner's game will be published on Xbox Live Arcade.
Greg Canessa, group manager of Microsoft's Xbox Live Arcade, stated, "Xbox Live Arcade has opened up a wealth of new publishing opportunities for established and independent developers alike, so it made perfect sense to also extend this privilege to hobbyists and amateur programmers. We have a tremendous opportunity to shine the spotlight on up-and-coming talent through the 'Dream-Build-Play' contest, and we can't wait to share their creativity with our gaming community around the world."
Related stories: 
