[Updated: The program has now been extended to end at the end of June 2015.]

It's the time for new starts and fresh challenges, and Marmalade and Microsoft have put together an enticing package for developers in 2015.

The cross­platform tools company has hooked up with Microsoft to get the best new games and apps onto Windows Store and Window Phone Store.

Developers can apply for the program with games and apps already published on other platforms and, once accepted, will be provided with a Windows device, a Windows 8.1 Pro licence (worth up to $200), and a Marmalade Indie licence (worth $500) to develop with.

The program is live now and will be running until 30 June 2015.

Everyone's a winner

Windows is a platform that demonstrated significant growth in 2014; downloads were up 110 percent while the number of registered developers jumped 80 percent.

Reasons enough for all developers to be publishing on the platform, but if you require more encouragement, Marmalade and Microsoft are offering additional incentives.

Once your game or app is live on the store, developers will receive a $100 PayPal voucher and the guarantee of a priority review for Windows Store promotion.

And games will also be entered into a prestigious PocketGamer.biz competition with the following cool prizes.

• Grand Prize (x1): $2,000 in PayPal vouchers - plus a Dell Venue 8 Pros tablet, a $500 PayPal voucher, and 1 million AdDuplex impressions.
• Second Place (x1):­ $1,000 in PayPal vouchers - plus a Dell Venue 8 Pro tablet, a $500 PayPal voucher, and 1 million AdDuplex impressions.
• Third Place (x2):­ A Dell Venue 8 Pro tablet, a $500 in PayPal vouchers, and 1 million AdDuplex impressions.
• Runners ups (x6):­ $500 in PayPal vouchers, and 1 million AdDuplex impressions.

AdDuplex is a cross­promotion advertising network specifically targeted Windows 8 and Windows Phone apps and games.

You can find out more details about the program, including qualifying criteria and terms & conditions, on the Marmalade website.