Gamertell

Microsoft has heavily plugged its XNA game software development platform as something that might change games development forever, something Microsoft does with every new innovation. It is slowly improving the platform with each version, and the newest version, XNA Game Studio 2.0, which was released on December 13, 2007, is supposed to have 15 new features. It is a marked improvement upon the previous version, mainly because it supports Xbox Live and Games for Windows Live.

The new version will allow game designers to create online, cross-platform multiplayer games for both the 360 and Windows. Chris Satchell, GM of the XNA organization, said in the official press release that this new feature will allow everyone (including hobbyists, students and pros) to make games with extensive Live support, something only AAA developers have been able to do till now.

Now even a bunch of hobbyists can develop online multiplayer games for Xbox 360 and Windows having the trademark Live features like matchmaking. The best part is that even this new version retains XNA’s ease of use and negligible coding despite the added features. The system requirements for XNA Game Studio 2.0 are same as for Visual Studio 2005, along with a graphics card with DirectX 9.0c support and Shader Model 1.1. The revolutionary tool is free to download.

Read [Joystiq] Also Read [Xbox] Site [XNA Creators Club]