Finally you can use the RTM version of Visual Studio 2010 (get it from DreamSpark) to try the XNA 4.0 CTP and make games and apps for Windows Phone 7, ready for when the devices like the Dell Lightning release later this year.

So if you’re interested, even if you just want to see what is coming in XNA 4.0 and don’t care about the mobile space, check out the refresh here.

The big focus of MIX10 is of course, Windows Phone 7. Now this is a developer & designer conference, so the focus is on how to use Silverlight and XNA to make apps and games (respectively) for what is turning out to be a pretty cool phone.

At the time of writing you can grab the latest Windows Phone 7 Developer Tools, which includes:

• Visual Studio 2010 Express RC
• Windows Phone 7 Add-in for VS2010
• XNA Game Studio 4.0 CTP (Which sits on top of VS2010 Express)
• Windows Phone 7 Emulator (DX10 capable card required for hardware emulation)

Those are all of the tools you will need to get started developing apps that you will be able to sell to WP7 users. There are some pretty cool things in there (*cough*XNA*cough*) already, but if you are thinking “Hey this is a designer conference, where are the designer tools?!” well fear not, MS has also released a preview of Blend 4, which has a ton of cool new features, and of course supports development for Windows Phone 7. You can read more about the Blend 4 preview at Christian Schormann’s blog.

IE9

The next version of Internet Explorer is coming fast, and the real focus this release isn’t on little social add-ons like WebSlices or Accelerators – instead this time they decided to focus on speed and standards. We all know IE has lagged quite a bit in the past when it comes to speed and standards (although they’ve really improved recently). IE9 is set to take this to a new level, with a focus on HTML5 support, and leveraging the resources in your computer to make the browser run faster.

For those who are technically minded, the browser now uses DirectWrite and Direct2D to make the GPU help out in rendering those webpages; and JavaScript is now compiled in the background on a separate core (where possible) to help accelerate those JavaScript intensive sites.

If you want to try this out for yourself, Microsoft has released an in-progress Platform Preview of IE9 to the public. Of course this is incomplete, and it is just the rendering engine, so you won’t find any address bar or your usual back/forward/refresh/home buttons – however you can use this to see how far IE9 has come since IE8.

Finally CSS3 rounded borders! (also animated)

So where can I get it all?

Everything you need for Windows Phone 7 can be found at http://developer.windowsphone.com/

You can find the IE9 preview at http://ie.microsoft.com/testdrive/

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.

For those who did not attend the XNA Game Camp last year, Sunburn is a lighting engine that allows you to worry about your game play, instead of how your graphics look. It offers a powerful array of lighting features, and whilst the Framework itself is restricted to the Windows platform, when you are ready to start testing your game on the XBOX 360, you can use the license that comes with your Premium Creators Club account to try the XBOX version.

This is a great chance to evaluate the framework and see if it is what you are looking for.

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

Microsoft is running a 3 day camp dedicated to XNA and the Imagine Cup at the University of Wollongong. Now they realise that UOW is a bit of a distance away, so the first 50 students to register will get free accommodation for the duration of the event.

http://www.microsoft.com.au/events/register/home.aspx?levent=374345&linvitation

Want to learn how to make your own video games for Windows PC and Xbox? Already know a little about game development but heard that XNA can make your life a lot easier? Currently playing around with XNA and want to do something more with it?

Answer yes to any of these questions and this camp is for you.

The Imagine Cup Game Dev Camp will run Friday December 18 through to Sunday December 20 2009 and will be a nonstop experience full of gaming, development, learning and fun. You’ll hear about Imagine Cup and how you can help change the world through technology, learn about XNA and how it makes development for Windows and Xbox as straightforward as possible for both 2D and 3D games.

You’ll also team up with others who are as keen to get into game development as you are, potentially forming up proper partnerships to enter Imagine Cup, the world’s biggest technology competition for students.

And, best of all, it’s free to attend. And, even better, if you’re one of the first 50 students to register by December 8, Microsoft will cover your accommodation as well – you just need to get to the event, and we’ll look after the rest! How good is that!?
Prizes, gaming, learning game dev, fun, teamwork, challenges, all rolled up into one 3 day experience. Sounds good to me!

If you’re NOT a student, please read this:

You are more than welcome to attend the Game Dev Camp if you’re not a student but please note that you will need to book your own accommodation so that we can make sure the students have an opportunity to attend. Also, there will be student-specific activities around Imagine Cup that you might not get as much value out of.

The game development sessions though – they’re all good! Come and be a part of this three day experience into the world of XNA.

Agenda:

December 18

10:30 – Registration

11:00 – Camp Day 1 Begins

18:30 – Camp Day 1 Ends

19:00 – Pizza and Xbox Gaming Night

December 19

8:30 – Camp Day 2 Begins

18:30 – Camp Day 2 Ends

19:00 – LAN Party

December 20

8:30 – Camp Day 3 Begins

16:00 – Camp Day 3 Ends

Agenda subject to change.

http://www.microsoft.com.au/events/register/home.aspx?levent=374345&linvitation

http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=198990192353&ref=mf

For those interested in a repeat event, as I have previously mentioned, let me know. So far I have about 3 people interested, although I will need more than that before I can prepare another event. The guest speaker is willing to return if there are enough people, so be sure to let me know.

There will be at least one sign up for those who do not know how to get to the room on the day, and if you could print out your ticket that will help speed things up at the door. Otherwise be sure to bring ID, as I really only have 30 event-bags.

Also if it is sold out again when you get there, don’t worry, send me an email at michael@mquandt.com or use the contact host button on eventbrite to let me know if you would be interested in attending a repeat later on in the year. I have confirmation from the speaker that he can do another event if enough people are interested, so be sure to let me know.

Grab the last couple of tickets!

Exploding Ninja Pirates, and other great love stories.

I am happy to announce the first event for Spring 2009 at UTS, sponsored by Microsoft:

XNA @ UTS 2009!

Come and learn from Luke Drumm about Microsoft XNA, and how you can use the platform to develop games easily for the Windows PC and Xbox 360 console. No matter what game idea you have, you can develop it using XNA for free on PCs, and for a small cost, sell your game on the Xbox 360 to the USA and Europe.

Make your game a reality, and make some money out of it, by leveraging the power of .NET and DirectX. Luke Drumm will tell you how to get the tools you need for free, and show you how to make those game ideas into a reality.

For those who have attended Student Day last year, or MIX on Campus in 2007, you will remember Luke, as he presented the XNA sessions on both of those days. He presents the content in an entertaining manner, so this certainly won’t be a boring lecture.

Everyone who registers gets a showbag with a copy of all the tools you need to get started immediately! There will also be plenty of prizes on the day, however be quick, places are limited.

Visit http://xnaatuts2009.eventbrite.com/ to register your place today!

The Event DVD contains:

• Visual Studio 2008 Professional Edition
• XNA Game Studio 3.1
• Plenty of other resources to help you get started right away!

When: Wednesday 16th September 2009, 13:00 – 14:00

Where: CB10.03.330 (IT Building, upon entering from Jones St you will see a staircase on your left, go up and follow the signs to room 03.330)

Special thanks to FEIT for helping provide the room and AV equipment, Microsoft for providing resources and prizes, and Luke Drumm from Readify, for presenting.