Microsoft today released the Microsoft XNA Game Studio Express software and the launch of the XNA Creators Club. Based on the simple Visual C# 2005 Express Edition and the Microsoft .NET Compact Framework, XNA Game Studio Express opens up the world of game development to the masses and is now available for free to anyone with a Windows XP-based PC at www.microsoft.com . With the release of XNA Game Studio Express, Microsoft also unveiled the XNA Creators Club, opening up video game development anyone that wants to affordably build and play game ideas on Xbox 360 systems for the first time ever. The XNA Creators Club is available on Xbox Live Marketplace for $49 (U.S.) for a four-month subscription, or $99 (U.S.) for an annual subscription. Both subscriptions provide aspiring game developers with access to thousands of game assets from Microsoft and key supporters such as Turbo Squid Inc., as well as white papers, specialized starter kits, samples and technical product support to help turn Your World, Your Game into a reality.

In addition, to celebrate the worldwide launch of XNA Game Studio Express, the "Dream-Build-Play" contest will be open to XNA Game Studio Express customers on Windows as well as those on Xbox 360 through the XNA Creators Club membership. The contest offers the opportunity for the community to showcase its innovation and talent to the world, culminating in the incredible chance for the winner's game to be published on Xbox Live Arcade, the premier source for downloadable independent, retro and original games. The "Dream-Build-Play" contest will be launched in January.