Late in 2006, Microsoft introduced the XNA Game Studio
Express development software meant to lower the barrier of entry for budding
game programmers and independent developers for creating software on the Xbox
360.
Microsoft originally planned to segregate the professional
and amateur side in terms of software tools, but with the XNA Game Studio 2.0,
the two sides will have access to the exact same set of tools.
Previously, only the paid versions of the tools could access
the full Xbox Live functionality, but now even the free versions have the
ability to tap into network gameplay. Microsoft will still offer extras for
paid-licenses, however, with access to additional plug-in libraries.
"We made the decision to make one Game Studio. We think
everyone should have access to the same tool," said Chris Satchell,
general manager of the XNA organization at Microsoft. "There should be no
friction as you move from accessible development to professional
development."
Microsoft made the announcement
at Gamefest 2007, along with word of its Dream-Build-Play contest winners,
the first Xbox LIVE Arcade game to be created with XNA Game Studio and details
of new game content usage rules.
For more information on the new XNA Game Studio 2.0, see the
XNA
Team Blog.