There are some interesting additions to the API this time around, and some changes that existing creators will need to take note of:

• Windows Phone 7 Hardware Support
• Visual Studio 2010 Integration
• Microphone Input
• Dynamic (Unbuffered) Audio Output
• New built-in Effects
  • SkinnedEffect
  • EnvironmentMapEffect
  • DualTextureEffect
  • AlphaTestEffect

They have also worked to improve portability, and pave the way for platforms to branch away from cross-platform support. (ie Take advantage of platform specific functionality)

They did this by adding two profiles: Reach and HiDef. The first gives you a guarantee your code will run on the different platforms. However developing for HiDef lets you take advantage of functionality present on the system, that might not be on other platforms.

Alongside those huge features, they have made many graphics improvements, and split Microsoft.Xna.Framework.dll into multiple assemblies so you can include only the things you need.

For those of you more interested in the games than the development, take a look at this: http://www.engadget.com/2010/03/09/microsoft-shows-off-xna-games-running-on-windows-phone-full-3d/

Sounds like we’re getting an emulator that is 3D capable eventually, so you can test your games.

Watch this blog, and creators.xna.com in the coming weeks for the official release, and more news on exactly what we are getting. More news about Windows Phone 7 development should also come out tomorrow, after the GDC sessions by the XNA team run.

Robbie Bach, President of Microsoft’s Entertainment and Devices division, will be giving a talk at the University of Sydney on Tuesday, February 9th, 2010.

For those who do not know, the E&D division handles products like the XBOX 360, Zune, Windows phone, all of the Microsoft hardware like Keyboards + Mice, and the Surface.

I personally hope we will get to see Natal in action (Natural User Interface), however even if that is not possible, this should be an interesting night.

The event is open to all, but you must RSVP.

To do so, email kumarman[at]microsoft.com

CES has reminded us that some great things are coming out this year from many companies, but of course the focus here is on Microsoft.

This year we can expect to see Natal hit shelves, one of the most interesting input devices to appear in a while, and by the end of the year you will be able to try it as well.

We will also see a great way to play classic arcade games, on both the XBOX 360 and Windows PC, called GameRoom, with 1000 games to be added over 3 years. (30 games on launch)

Not only that, but many cool games are coming, including Halo Reach, which is sure to be a huge launch. (Lets see if it can beat XBOX sales for Modern Warfare 2)

Gaming aside, there should be more details on IE9, Windows Live Wave 4, Windows 7 SP1, and Office 2010. Although I do not know what deals will be available for students yet, I think that there will be some cool stuff (going off last year) and you can expect some cool events this year as well, so keep an eye on this blog.

I will be attending the MSP boot camp some time in January/February, and hope to get some great information and opportunities that I can pass on to everyone.

For those interested in XNA after the Game Camp last year, I have been posting resources and information on my own blog about XNA, you can check it out at http://mquandt.com/blog hopefully you find some of the stuff on there interesting, and I will be keeping it updated with more information, samples and resources as I make/find them.

So enjoy the rest of the summer break, and have a great 2010!

Registration is open from 10:30 to 11am, but trains take ~2hrs to get there, so be sure you know what train you need.

Let me know if you are going to the camp!

-Michael

The ODSTs will be dropping into Cockatoo Island, Sydney next Thursday (6/8/09) and they will be bringing the famous WETA Warthog, as well as a bungie staffer along with them to show off the game to a select group of people.

Microsoft Australia is offering students an extra chance to attend, by providing two VIP tickets to the event.

To enter, simply send 65 words (max) that explain why you think Halo is the best First Person Shooter ever released.

Send your entries to i-karoes@microsoft.com by Tuesday 4th August, 5:00pm AEST, and be sure to include your student number, and the name of the institution you are enrolled in.

The best 2 entries will win the tickets, and will be notified via email on the 5th of August.

For further information, and contest rules, visit http://blogs.msdn.com/msozacademic/archive/2009/07/31/win-a-vip-ticket-to-the-halo-3-odst-bungie-event-cockatoo-island-in-sydney.aspx

Get your entries in, and good luck!

http://www.xbox.com/en-AU/pm/goldoffer1dollar

Note that after the month it will auto-renew at standard rates, but you can of course cancel or change your renewal before then.

Offer only available to Silver Xbox LIVE members.

(via InsiderX AU)

Please note that if you are making a game for the Community Games service, you will only be able to submit a 3.1 game from July 23rd.

If you are entering Dream Build Play, ensure you convert to 3.1 as the competition requires it.

http://creators.xna.com/en-us/news/xnagamestudio3.1

New Features in 3.1:

• Avatars
• Video Playback
• Changed Audio API (SoundEffect class changes)
• XACT3 support, including xWMA compression
• Xbox LIVE Party support

For those interested, XNA GS will support both 3.0 and 3.1, and will offer the choice to upgrade to 3.1, so you can install this, try out an upgrade or a new project with the new features, and continue working on a 3.0 project until you are ready to upgrade. (Or if you wish to release to XBLCG soon, you may wish to not upgrade, but you can still install 3.1)

Remember that before 23 July, anything you submit to peer review or play testing needs to be 3.0, however after the 23rd you can upgrade.

3.1 XBLCG games will not be available for purchase until a future Xbox LIVE update.

I will probably grab this deal myself, seems pretty good, and the demo was fun.

Remember that you have to be a gold member to see and get this deal.

Purchase and Add to download queue

Add Trial version to download queue

“Bionic Commando® Rearmed sees a return of the intense 2-D side-scrolling, shooting, and grappling action from the much-loved 1988 Bionic Commando. Bionic Commando Rearmed brings the amazing gameplay up to date with stunning new visuals, new weapons, online rankings, and a reworked musical score just for starters.”

So for those of you unlucky enough to have encountered this new issue, Microsoft has extended the warranty on your Xbox 360 just like they did for anyone who gets a Red Ring of Death. As well as that, if you have already paid for repairs for an E74 error, you will be reimbursed from Microsoft.

Apparently this issue can be a general hardware failure and is associated with the “three flashing red lights error”.

The issue involves an “E74” error message being displayed on screen, you’ll know if you get it.

So if you get this issue, then rest assured, as long as you bought your console less than 3 years ago, you can get it replaced under warranty.

Just announced, The Dishwasher Dead Samurai, winner of the first Dream Build Play contest, will be arriving (finally) on Xbox Live Arcade on Wednesday 1st April. Click here to watch the trailer for the game. A warning ahead of time, this game contains rather large amounts of blood, and certainly is not intended for young audiences.

The game has been written entirely in XNA, and from the looks of it, should be fun to play. I will be sure to review the game once I have played through it a bit.

From the press release:

The Dishwasher: Dead Samurai is a 2-D stylistic action platformer for Xbox LIVE® Arcade showcasing fast action, deep gameplay, and a unique visual style. An undead samurai dishwasher in a dystopian universe is on a quest for revenge against the evil cyborg army. To dispatch hordes of zombies, cyborgs, and robots, the Dishwasher has at his fingertips a devastating array of attacks using ancient blades, disturbing machinery, and screen-obliterating Dish Magic. Compete with the rest of the world in a variety of speed run and high score challenges to become the most formidable Dishwasher yet!

• Fresh take on gameplay: Gameplay in The Dishwasher is a fresh take on popular stylistic action combat, taking combo- and timing-intensive combat into a 2-D, blood-soaked environment emphasizing speed, vertical movement, and manoeuvrability, and player-driven pacing to create a truly unique, fluid and visceral experience, with an appealingly psychotic art style.
• New game modes with guitar peripheral: The Dishwasher has arcade co-op, drop-in solo campaign co-op, and drop-in solo phantom guitar co-op using the guitar peripheral. Phantom guitar players can unload electric death by playing wicked solos, perform basic movement, and use the guitar’s motion control to rip through enemies with a razor-sharp headstock.
• The power of XNA: The Dishwasher is a testament to the power of XNA. The game was created by one guy with no professional game development experience (and a self-described lousy programmer) in about a year and a half.

The Dishwasher: Dead Samurai releases for the Xbox LIVE Arcade on Wednesday, April 1, 2009 for 800 MS Points.

So get on Live and give the trial a shot, would be great to hear your thoughts on the game. You can also tell the creator of the game directly via his blog, I am sure he will accept feedback.