Microsoft is ready to pay top dollar for nothing short of a top game built with Silverlight 2. Via the Server Quest Developer Contest 2009, the Redmond company is offering Silverlight developers a chance to win no less than $5,000 cash, and to have their content featured in ServerQuest II, for a game put together using the latest version of its technology positioned as an alternative to Adobe's Flash. Microsoft is additionally offering $3,500 for the runner-up, and $1,500 for the third place, prizes also in cash. Despite the fact that the software giant is apparently looking just for “sweet” games, winning criteria are actually a tad more complex, but not necessarily related to the quality of the gaming experience.

“Following the close of the Entry Period, all eligible entries will be reviewed by a panel of judges based on the criteria below and up to eighteen entries will be selected as finalists: 50 % best overall use of Silverlight and 50 % number of Silverlight features,” Microsoft revealed. “Following the Voting Period, a judging committee will re-review all finalist entries and will select three winners based on the following criteria: 40 % best overall use of Silverlight; 40 % number of Silverlight features and 20 % a combination of how many people viewed the game and how highly they rated the game.”

Microsoft started accepting participants on January 26th, 2009 and will continue to permit developers to submit their entries until April 30. The voting period the company referred to above lasts between May 1 and May 14, 2009. On May 25, the three winners will be announced, provided that Microsoft receives a sufficient number of entries. The context is opened to all Silverlight developers who are at lest 16 years old, and residents of the U.S.

“To be eligible for judging an Entry must meet the following content/technical requirements: the initial file download size cannot exceed 4MB Total file size must be < 10MB; resolution limited to 800x430; there are no frame rate limitations; the game cannot include any upload file aspects; the game cannot require or allow any external communication (i.e.no send to a friend components, etc.); the game must be developed in Silverlight 2.0 and submitted in object/binary code format; the game must clearly indicate to others that it is governed by the Creative Commons license,” the company added.

Silverlight 2 RTW (2.0.31005.0) is available for download here.

Microsoft Silverlight Tools for Visual Studio 2008 SP1 (RC1) can be downloaded via this link.