How to Use Visual Studio to Create Xbox Games

In an odd move prompted by Apple's Steve Jobs, Microsoft has embraced the open source world and created several different outlets for developers to produce things for them. You can create Droid apps, Microsoft phone apps, and even Xbox games. With Apple going closed source and very developer unfriendly, Microsoft is capitalizing by allowing anyone from any platform to develop programs for them. They are even offering several contests and drawings for developers to get in on. The more programs you develop, the more of a chance you have to win. Even without the contests and drawings, you can easily make quite a big chunk of change by creating the next great game. The next great RPG game has also been named and costs less than $1 (it's free). You can assign your own price to your games posted on Xbox live and even if you offer yours for free as well, you will get all sorts of benefits in the gaming community. If you get a game that catches fire like "Breath of Death", you can easily make a lot of extra cash by only upping the cost to $1. So how do you get started? Here is a look at how.

The first thing that you will need to do is download and install XNA. Not only will you be able to create Xbox live games, but you can also create games across several different platforms. From Microsoft compatible PCs to the Windows phone and Droid phones, your game can be posted all over the place. There are several different areas that you can post your game. You can even incorporate it into a web page and start your own site that offers your games to anyone that wants them. Even if you have little to no experience in creating video games, there are several sites out there that can aid you in your venture. The XNA software comes packaged with a demo that will walk you through your first game creation. This game is similar to some of the old school alien attack games from the Atari era, but you can update it with the newer graphics capabilities. This is just the beginning of what you can do.

Once you get used to creating games and start to break out on your own, there are several different options available to you.Armor Games is one area where you can post your games. While you cannot charge for plays on these games, Armor Games will compensate you for your efforts. You can make a little bit of coin for producing for them. Xbox Live is another area where you can post your games. You can choose your price and post your games here. If it is good enough, you will get people to buy it. One word of advice is to offer one or two games for free so that people can see if your games are good enough to pay for. There are also several Droid, Windows Phone, and other smartphone websites where you can post your games. Many cell phone service providers are open to new games if you want to try to submit your games to them. There is no end to the places you can post your games.

One thing that you will want to do is visit some of the developer sites. These can not only help you to find places to make some money on your games, but you will also be able help other new game makers. This can boost your respect online and get you even more opportunities to create games for top producing sites and companies. If you have ever thought about creating a video game but find flash and java a little too rough, XNA may be your answer. All you really need to get started is a base knowledge in any of the Visual languages. This base knowledge can make it very simple for you to create a robust and amazing game. If anything, you should give it a shot and see what happens.