Microsoft Invites Indie Devs To 'Dream Build Play'

As part of a new strategy to highlight its XNA Game Studio Express tool set, Microsoft is using GDC to announce the Dream-Build-Play game development contest, with $10,000 and a Live Arcade distribution deal for the winning independent developer. Microsoft has said it hopes the contest will offer "aspiring game developers the opportunity to showcase their innovation and talent to the world," and apart from the grand prize of $10,000 and a Live Arcade publishing contract, more than 20 will win an additional range of prizes from Microsoft, Alienware, Advanced Micro Devices (AMD) Inc., Autodesk Inc. and Softimage Co. The kickoff of the Dream-Build-Play contest coincides with the announcement of Torpex Games' co-op action title Schizoid, the first Live Arcade Game built with XNA Game Studio Express, due in 2007. Microsoft is also sponsoring an XNA Game Studio Express Challenge, with developers taking four days to create four games with XNA Game Studio Express tools at the company's "XNA lobby bar." The Dream-Build-Play contest is open to any user of Microsoft's XNA Game Studio Express, including those using GarageGames' Torque X platform. The contest will end July 2, 2007, with winners announced at Microsoft's Gamefest 2007 on August 13th. For more information on the contest, including eligibility details and entry requirements, visit the official Dream-Build-Play website.