Microsoft unveils game-making kit
Users with Windows XP personal computers will be able to download XNA Game Studio Express software free and then subscribe to a video game "creators club" for 99 dollars annually, according to the US company.
People from students to hobbyists and hardcore gamers will be able to create and share Xbox games, according to Microsoft.
"In the 30 years of video game development, the art of making console games has been reserved for those with big projects, big budgets and the backing of big game labels," the company said in a release.
"XNA Game Studio Express will democratise game development." A test "beta" version of Studio Express will be available August 30 and a final version is to be released by the year-end holiday season, according to Microsoft.
"XNA Game Studio Express will ignite innovation and accelerate prototyping, forever changing the way games are developed," Chris Satchell, general manager of Microsoft’s game developer group, said.
"By unlocking retail Xbox 360 consoles for community-created games, we are ushering in a new era of cross-platform games based on the XNA platform."
In an apparent coup for Microsoft, more than 10 US universities have reportedly pledged to integrate Studio Express into courses devoted to video game development.
"Great game ideas are incubating in the minds of students everywhere," said Michael Zyda, director for Gamepipe Labs at the University of Southern California.
Microsoft made the announcement at the Gamefest 2006 game developers gathering in Seattle, Washington.
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