Microsoft to Broaden XNA Use in Game Development

An interesting report today says something about Microsoft working close with The Guildhall at Southern Methodist University in its newly formed Innovation Laboratory, to find ways in which Microsoft XNA tools and technology can help improve computing in general and game development academic programs as well to research innovative new approaches to game design, development and education for students and established game developers alike.

"With more than 120 video development graduate students in residence and a faculty of video game industry veterans, technology companies are beginning to realize that The Guildhall at SMU is a living laboratory for the video game industry, That is why we formed our Innovation Laboratory focused on video game development," said Dr. Peter Raad, founder and executive director for The Guildhall at SMU. "By working with industry technology leaders such as Microsoft, we believe we will be able to help set new standards in video game development and provide new research, case studies and curriculum that drive advances in interactive media educational programs across the country."

You've probably never heard of XNA Game Studio Express from Microsoft before. It's a new game development solution targeted primarily at students, hobbyists, and independent game developers. It is based on the industry-leading Visual Studio and .NET technologies and lets developers create games more easily for both Windows and Xbox 360 consoles. According to the same report, three SMU faculty members, four postgraduate students and two graduate students are working with McCoy on the XNA project. The team plans to publish results from the research in the near future and present their findings at upcoming industry events.

"We picked SMU to help us look at new and different ways developers can use our XNA offerings in their production cycles because of the great work we saw coming from their graduate students. We have also been impressed with the innovative approach SMU takes to game development education" Chris Satchell, General Manager of XNA at Microsoft, said. "We look forward to a long relationship with the school in helping us find ways the complete range of XNA technologies and services can be used in both an academic and professional setting."

It was really interesting for me to find out that SMU also offers a first-of-its-kind five-year program where high school graduates can receive a bachelor of science in computer science or a bachelor of art in fine arts plus a master's degree in interactive technology. I think some of us have just had their horizons "broadened".