Microsoft Takes Hobbyist Programming Tools to Gamers

[Joe]

OK
there i was at like erm 1am last night/morning and somehow i started watching the news.
a particular story that stood out to me, was one about microsoft releasing software that will enable everyone to create their own games for free! (for the xbox 360 i believe).

they will be releasing software for free... but at some point they will open a sort of 'gamers club' and be charging $99 to be in it.

all those that join will get the chance for their games to actually be made into games.

there was a few other bits and pieces and a spokes person from 'microsoft watch' so here is a link to their article:

With Visual Studio Express, Microsoft has been looking to expand its base of programmers beyond traditional developers to include hobbyists. On August 14, Microsoft announced plans to extend further the VS Express family by delivering on August 30 a test version of the XNA Game Studio Express kit. Before year-end, the final version, which will allow game enthusiasts to try out their own PC-developed games on an Xbox 360 console, will be available for a $99 per year subscription fee, according to the company. Speaking of gaming, it looks like the code name for Microsoft's forthcoming Windows Live Anywhere gaming service is "Panorama."

http://www.microsoft-watch.com/article2/0,2180,2003102,00.asp

your views?

Joe

 

[Marcvs]

very interesting though personally i prefer to develop stuff for PC's with OpenGL 2 and Direct X

Marcvs

 

[killaklown]

oo this can be fun. Although i see alot of unapporpriate things being added to the games as 'hidden' features.

 

[slaughterbeck]

oo this can be fun. Although i see alot of unapporpriate things being added to the games as 'hidden' features.

I understand this has been in the works for quite some time but after I saw this officially announced yesterday it hit me for the first time that this could open a new form of viral difficulties for Microsoft.




Thanks for the post,
Kimmy