There's been plenty of speculation about whether Microsoft will enable developers to create native games - using C/C++ - for Windows Phone 7.
Ron Pessner, general manager, Xbox Live mobile was firm however that the entire platform was build around XNA Game Studio which used the C# managed code system.
"We think there are a lot of benefits to managed code," he explained.
"I know some developers have been concerned about this, but working with studios to create our game demos, we've found they take an interesting journey where they find they can focus much more on game design, gameplay and productivity. They lose their skepticism about managed code."
Productivity not performance
Indeed, the entire Windows Phone 7 platform has been built from the ground up on the foundation of developers using XNA Game Studio, Silverlight and C#.
"We've designed the new Direct3D API [just introduced in XNA 4.0 Game Studio] in terms of managed code. Everything has been optimised for game development," said Michael Klucher, program manager for the XNA community game platform.
"To-date, the performance feedback we've received from developers has been excellent."
Partly this is because the Windows Phone 7 platform is a break from the previous Windows Mobile OS, and requires high-end specifications in terms of the hardware it will run on, making the performance bump you would get with native code less of an issue.
Also, Microsoft is keen to encourage developers already experienced using XNA for Xbox Live Arcade, Xbox 360 and PC to extend their games into the mobile world.
In this context, fast prototyping and fast development, and connected games across those platforms is considered more important that wringing every processor cycle out of the hardware.
News
Contributing Editor
A Pocket Gamer co-founder, Jon is Contributing Editor at PG.biz which means he acts like a slightly confused uncle who's forgotten where he's left his glasses. As well as letters and cameras, he likes imaginary numbers and legumes.
Related Articles
Top Stories
News
7 hours, 30 minutes ago
Cécile Russeil takes the helm at Ubisoft as EVP of comms, DEI, HR, and legal
Feature
8 hours, 47 minutes ago
"Gaming in MENA is just starting. Investment will bring more attention to the region and create more opportunities"
Feature
Apr 24th, 2024
48 top mobile games in soft launch: Squad Busters, CSR 3, Plants vs. Zombies 3, LEGO Hill Climb Adventures, and more
Events
App Promotion Summit London | Europe | Apr 25th |
Esports Future Summit | Middle East | Apr 27th |
Dubai GameExpo Summit 2024 | Middle East | May 1st |
The MENA Games Industry Awards 2024 | Middle East | May 2nd |
GameDev Atlantic 2024 | May 4th | |
Mobidictum Meetup Berlin May 2024 | Europe | May 7th |
Mobidictum Meetup Tallinn May 2024 | Europe | May 21st |
Israel Mobile Summit 2024 | Middle East | Jun 6th |
Popular Stories
News
Apr 23rd, 2024
Supercell’s Squad Busters soft launches today with over 100,000 Google Play downloads
Feature
Apr 24th, 2024