In the firm's latest developer push, RIM has partnered with Marmalade to hand 'qualified studios' Marmalade SDK licenses for use on BlackBerry platforms, as well as free PlayBook tablets.

The deal will also see developers that go on to publish an app on BlackBerry App World handed a free upgrade to the full cross-platform Marmalade Indie License.

It's a move the two parties claim will make porting an existing BlackBerry app to Android, iOS or Windows Phone a one-click affair.

Indie angle

No doubt RIM will be hoping the option to port to more popular platforms with ease at a later date will make using Marmalade's development framework to launch games first on BlackBerry the logical option.

"At Marmalade, we are thrilled to help developers discover the power and agility of the BlackBerry 10 platform," explained Harvey Elliott, Marmalade's managing director and COO.

"We passionately believe that more platforms mean more possibilities, and this fantastic offer really makes that a reality for all indie developers. Develop a brilliant app for BlackBerry and then target other platforms later on."

Existing Marmalade licensees can also benefit from the program – community licensees will be automatically upgraded upon sign up, while Indie licensees will receive a free six-month license extension if their BlackBerry app is approved.

Marmalade's BlackBerry program is open now, and will run until January 2013. It's designed to bring developers to BlackBerry in advance of the launch of BB 10, RIM's brand new operating system that's expected in Q4 2012.

For further details of the offer, visit the Marmalade website.