Microsoft challenges developers to bring ideas to life on the Xbox 360 and
Windows platforms.
SAN FRANCISCO, March 5 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Providing the
opportunity for game developers to create visions in a world where they
make the rules, shape the characters and create the evolution of the story,
Microsoft Corp. (Nasdaq: MSFT) today kicked off the Dream-Build-Play game
development contest, offering a $10,000 (U.S.) grand prize and the
opportunity for a winner's game to be published on Xbox LIVE(R) Arcade, the
premier destination for digitally distributed, high-definition original and
classic games. Enabled by its XNA(TM) developer tools, the Dream-Build-Play
contest was announced at the Game Developers Conference (GDC) 2007 in San
Francisco.
(Logo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20000822/MSFTLOGO)
Delivering on its commitment to offer the best and most accessible
hardware, software and services for game developers on the Microsoft(R)
gaming platforms, Microsoft and its partners also showcased a suite of new
products that will help developers of every level turn their dreams into
reality. From the hobbyist to professional developers in the largest
studios, Microsoft's investments in game development technologies are
helping to spark a new creative era while ensuring the best games are being
built for Microsoft platforms.
Dream-Build-Play XNA Contest Offers $10,000 Grand Prize
Dream-Build-Play is a global contest that offers aspiring game
developers the opportunity to showcase their innovation and talent to the
world. More than 20 winners will be selected to win fantastic prizes with a
total value of more than $40,000 from Microsoft, Alienware, Advanced Micro
Devices (AMD) Inc., Autodesk Inc. and Softimage Co.
The contest will culminate in the extraordinary grand prize that
includes an opportunity for the winner to receive an Xbox LIVE Arcade
publishing contract, providing a chance to showcase the winner's game on
Xbox LIVE Arcade. Dream-Build-Play is open to any user of XNA Game Studio
Express, including the GarageGames Torque X platform. No purchase is
necessary to compete. The contest ends July 2, 2007, and winners will be
announced Aug. 13 at Microsoft Gamefest 2007 in Seattle. Additional contest
details, including detailed eligibility and entry requirements, are
available at http://www.dreambuildplay.com.
Great Games by Great Storytellers Using Great Tools
Also at GDC this week, Microsoft will spotlight the ways that some of
the most innovative game creators in the industry are bringing their
visions to life on Microsoft gaming platforms. On Tuesday, March 6,
Microsoft Game Studios will present "The Evolution of RPG Development," a
panel discussion hosted by journalist Geoff Keighley that will feature
Hironobu Sakaguchi of Mistwalker, Peter Molyneux of Lionhead Studios and
Ray Muzyka of BioWare Corp., the creators of the most highly anticipated
role-playing games of the next generation.
In addition, to celebrate the launch of the Dream-Build-Play global
contest, Microsoft will showcase a new era of game creators through the XNA
Game Studio Express Challenge. GDC attendees will have a chance to see some
of the brightest beacons in game development from around the world
gathering at the XNA lobby bar at the Moscone Center in San Francisco to
create four games in four days using XNA Game Studio Express tools.
The power of the XNA tools is demonstrated with today's announcement of
"Schizoid(TM)" (Torpex Games LLC), an upcoming game that will be the first
Xbox LIVE Arcade title built using XNA Game Studio Express. "Schizoid" is a
co-op action game in which teamwork matters like never before, as gamers
and their friend or AI ally protect each other from barrages of glowing
enemies. The title is scheduled to launch on Xbox LIVE Arcade before the
end of 2007.
New XNA Tools for Game Developers of All Levels
In December 2006, Microsoft launched XNA Game Studio Express, a set of
free software tools for use on Windows(R) that enables anyone to build,
play and share their amazing game creations. Microsoft simultaneously
launched the XNA Creators Club, enabling the development and playing of XNA
Game Studio Express games on the Xbox 360(TM) system as well. Microsoft
today announced new software tools that will work with XNA Game Studio
Express to make game development for Windows and Xbox 360 even easier.
-- GarageGames Torque X Engine. Members of the XNA Creators Club will
receive a license to the Torque X Engine, including the Torque Game
Builder toolset for Torque X, as a free membership benefit.
-- SOFTIMAGE|XSI. Softimage is developing new 3-D solutions based on its
XSI 3-D software for game creators and exclusive content for members
of the XNA Creators Club to support the XNA platform scheduled for
release later this year.
-- Allegorithmic ProFX. In addition to the free MapZone 2-D texture
editor released today, Allegorithmic is developing an enhanced version
exclusively for XNA Creators Club members that will offer support for
procedural textures, additional texture libraries and custom content
processors for use with the XNA Framework Content Pipeline. The
enhanced version of MapZone will be made available to active members
of the XNA Creators Club at no additional cost and will be available
later this year.
The XNA Creators Club is available on Xbox LIVE Marketplace for $49 for
a four-month subscription or $99 for an annual subscription.
About Xbox 360
Xbox 360 is the most powerful video game and entertainment system,
delivering the best games, the next generation of the premier Xbox LIVE
online gaming network and unique digital entertainment experiences that
revolve around gamers. Xbox 360 has a catalog of more than 160
high-definition games and is available in 37 countries. More information
can be found online at http://www.xbox.com/xbox360.
About Microsoft
Founded in 1975, Microsoft is the worldwide leader in software,
services and solutions that help people and businesses realize their full
potential.
Microsoft, Xbox LIVE, XNA, Windows, Xbox 360 and Xbox are either
registered trademarks or trademarks of Microsoft Corp. in the United States
and/or other countries.
The names of actual companies and products mentioned herein may be the
trademarks of their respective owners.
SOURCE Microsoft Corp.
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Related links:
http://www.microsoft.com
http://www.dreambuildplay.com
http://www.xbox.com/xbox360/
Photo Notes:
NewsCom: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20000822/MSFTLOGO
AP Archive: http://photoarchive.ap.org PRN Photo Desk
photodesk@prnewswire.com
CONTACT:
pr.mspx./ /CONTACT: Evan Parker,
+1-323-202-1052, evan.parker@edelman.com, or Aimee Martin,
+1-206-268-2253, aimee.martin@edelman.com, both of Edelman, for
Microsoft
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