Microsoft opens gates to Windows Phone indie dev challenge Dream.Build.Play

As promised back in December, Microsoft has launched its latest indie developer challenge Dream.Build.Play, this year adding a new Windows Phone category.

The competition tasks studios with delivering games that score highly on three fronts innovation, fun factor and production quality with a panel of games industry professionals from Microsoft picking out the winner.

Winning with Windows

Last year, more than 250 games were submitted from 27 different countries, with the 13 games lucky enough to make it through to the semi-final published on the Xbox Live Indie Games Marketplace.

"This annual contest is sponsored by Microsoft to inspire independent developers to create games for Microsoft platforms," said Microsoft back in December.

"Developers will have the opportunity to compete for over $100,000 in total cash prizes. Finalists in the 2012 Dream.Build.Play Challenge will also have the chance to show off their fun and innovative game to thousands of enthusiasts during PAX 2012 in Seattle."

Developers have until May 15 to register for the competition, with games required to be submitted by June 12. More details can be found on the Dream.Build.Play website.