Microsoft looking to partner with developers in Windows Phone 7 talent hunt
During Windows Phone 7's short lifespan, Microsoft Game Studios has been able to foster an image of a publisher looking to reach out to the development community.
The benefits for the company are, of course, obvious, with Microsoft having already ensured a fairly healthy roster of launch titles for the platform thanks to such methods.
However, Microsoft's charm offensive is by no means over, with further efforts to link up with independent developers set to be made at Game Connection in Lyon, which kicks off today and runs to November 18.
Powerful partner
"We work with some of the top studios in the world today, and we plan to continue those partnerships for a long time to come," said senior business development manager Cherie Lutz.
"We're also very impressed and excited by the games and concepts coming from independent developers.
"The fact that weve been able to bring indie games to a broader audience via Xbox Live and Windows Phone 7 is a big 'win' for Microsoft, and its something we want to do more of."
Two birds
Microsoft it banking on its ability to offer a route to two major marketplaces Windows Phone 7 and XBLA proving too tempting for smaller studios to resist.
The close relationship between the two platforms, as demonstrated by its App Hub channel and thanks to XNA Game Studios, has already seen XBLA games successfully make the leap to Windows Phone 7 CarneyVale Showtime a notable early example.
However, it's hoped in the future that Microsoft will enable developers to target both platforms at the same time, with independent studios seeing revenue rolling in from multiple marketplaces without having to port or re-code their releases.
Studios not attending Game Connection but looking to take advantage of Microsoft's developer hunt are advised to get in contact via mobilegames@microsoft.com.
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