Virtual Realm

Well last night the Microsoft Guys finally announced the XNA Game Studio 2.0 System and the good news for those who didn't want to install the Visual Studio Express System... You will now find that the XNA Game Studio 2.0 system will be supported on all SKU's in the Visual Studio 2005 range. Here is a link to the XNA Team Blog where the announcement was made.

Here is just a small bit of History on the XNA Framework.

• Version 1.0 was released in December 2006
• The Version 1.0 Refreash was released in April 2007
• There have ben 350,000+ Downloads of the XNA Game Studio Express System (As of August 2007)
• There are over 175 Universities worldwide using XNA Game Studio Express to Teach (As of August 2007)

What's New with XNA Game Studio?

• XNA Game Studio 2.0 works in all versions of Visual Studio 2005. This includes Standard and Professional, as well as many other specific editions.
• The new and improved interface makes it easier for you to manage your Xbox 360 console.
• You'll find that managing and building content is easier and more consistent in XNA Game Studio.
• We've included project templates for content importers and processors.
• You can configure how content is processed with the new ability to set parameters on Content Processors.

What's new in the XNA Framework? Now you can:

• Create rich multiplayer games over Xbox LIVE using the new networking APIs.
• Create Audio more effectively with the new XACT editor!
• Host XNA Framework games easily inside a Windows Form.
• Use the virtualized GraphicsDevice: no more special code to handle device reset and recreate!
• Take advantage of render targets that are more flexible, consistent, and easier to use. Xbox 360 and Windows now support multiple render targets (MRTs) as well.
• Easily nest one component inside another thanks to improvements in GameComponent.
• Enjoy many more enhancements and tweaks!

Remember guys that the Sessions from Game Fest 2007 will be webcast so that we all will be able to see what is happening.

"We are delighted to announce that we will be webcasting the keynote, along with six sessions from the first day of the XNA Game Studio track, for Game fest 2007 on August 13th", David Weller

Remember that if you would like more information on the XNA or Game Studio drop over to the Creators Site or the XNA Team Blog, also remember that the #xna Channel on Efnet IRC is alive and there are always Active Community members online ready to talk.