Back in Five Minutes

XNA is an exciting technology that allows independent game code to be developed and deployed to Windows, Xbox 360, and Zune.

In 2009, I developed Henway using XNA. The game was approved and published on the Indie Games area of Xbox LIVE Marketplace.

I also setup this blog to highlight some of the issues encountered during XNA game development, potential solutions to these issues, and to provide a general discussion on XNA.

Here is a quick summary of some of the previous discussions on the site:

Design patterns: Abstract Factory, Command, State, Template Method Performance monitoring and testing TAX forms to submit to get paid Henway game publication

XNA is currently at version 3.1, which includes extensions for the Zune HD device. However, version 4.0, scheduled for release later in 2010, will be compatible with Visual Studio 2010 and .NET Framework 4.0.

The big news from Microsoft however, is that XNA 4.0 will target the Windows Phone 7 mobile device: provide full 3D graphics support and tight integration with Xbox LIVE Marketplace.

Therefore, independent game code could now target the same marketplace on both a gaming console and mobile device within a single deployable code base. XNA 4.0 could create some very interesting opportunities, difficult to challenge by competitors in the gaming console and mobile device space.

In conclusion, I would like to take a break from regular monthly blog posts to get more info on XNA 4.0 and begin working on the next game project.

If I'm not back in five minutes, just wait longer J