Microsoft challenges gamers to create

Posted on 23 Jul 2008 at 12:05

Microsoft has invited gamers to devise their own video games in an effort to broaden its offering. The company said it will start selling "user-generated" games later this year through Xbox Live, vowing to share "up to 70 per cent" of revenue with the game's developer.

Microsoft's introduced game development tools to users in 2006, under its "XNA" initiative. The software enabled users to create games for xBox, Windows or the Zune media player.

The company is following in the footsteps of YouTube and Facebook by introducing user-created content, although it is taking a step further by offering financial rewards for its customers' efforts. However, users will have to splash out £50 for premium membership to the 'XNA Creators Club' in return for a slice of their games' profit.

Once the games have passed a peer-review system, they will be offered at Xbox Live Marketplace in return for Microsoft points. Games will be priced at the equivalent of £1.25, £2.50 or £5.

"Not only are we democratising game development with Xbox Live Community Games later this year, but we're creating an opportunity for aspiring developers," said Chris Satchell, chief technology officer at Microsoft's interactive entertainment business group.

Author: Dawinderpal Sahota

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