Microsoft gives back to its developers with XNA, XBLA updates

Posted by: Justin Sanchez

Because we’re not yet cool enough (nor do we have the money) to attend GDC on top of E3, we’ll be doing a bit of shopping at other sites to get our information on GDC ’09.

XNA is getting an update that’s set to liven things up. The update allows XBLA and Community Games developers to implement Avatar support in their titles. While this isn’t exactly revolutionary, it’s a nice addition on Microsoft’s behalf. Also included is support for the 360′s Party system. Back to the XBLA side of things, developers have now been granted the ability to release DLC.

We swear this information doesn’t come from Joystiq, or even this very article.

Maybe I’m out of the loop with all of this, but I thought XBLA developers already had the ability to release DLC. I mean, The Maw has a few downloadable levels out. Perhaps it’s a greater freedom to release content whenever they want.

Microsoft also announced its Dream-Build-Play competition where XNA developers show of their finest work in hopes to win some phat loot. Microsoft will accept submissions for the competition beginning April 9.