Microsoft Announces Dream.Build.Play 2011 Challenge for Independent Game Developers

Developers from around the world compete for share of $75,000(U.S.).

SAN FRANCISCO, February 28, 2011 - Today Microsoft Corp. opened registration for the Dream.Build.Play 2011
Challenge, a contest sponsored by Microsoft to encourage independent game
developers to create fun and innovative games using XNA Game Studio.
Developers can register for the contest at www.dreambuildplay.com.
Once registered, they have from May 17 to June 14, 2011, to submit their
games to the contest.

(Logo: photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20000822/MSFTLOGO)

Each game will be judged by three standards: how fun it is to play, how
creative and unique it is, and how well it is produced. Four winners will be
given a share of $75,000(U.S.)and the opportunity to receive an Xbox LIVE
Arcade publishing contract. The grand prize winner will receive
$40,000(U.S.), the first prize winner will receive $20,000(U.S.), the second
prize winner will receive $10,000(U.S.) and the third prize winner will
receive $5,000(U.S.).

"Microsoft has always valued the creativity and innovative thinking that
comes from independent developers," said Mark Seminatore, principal
development manager in the Xbox Advanced Technology Group at Microsoft.
"We've hosted the Dream.Build.Play contest for the past five years in an
effort to support and nurture that talent."

Previous winners, including "Beat Hazard," "CarneyVale Showtime" and
"Weapon of Choice," have become top sellers on Xbox LIVE Indie Games. In
addition, several finalists from previous contests received Xbox LIVE Arcade
contracts, including 2009's winner, "Dust: An Elysian Tail."

"Each year we are amazed at the quality of games submitted to the
Dream.Build.Play Challenge," said Pete Isensee, principal program manager in
the Xbox Advanced Technology Group at Microsoft. "I can't wait to see what
indie developers will create this year."

All games submitted to the contest need to be created with XNA Game
Studio 4.0, which enables developers to easily make games for Xbox 360,
Windows-based PCs and Windows Phones. Since its initial release in 2006, XNA
Game Studio has been downloaded over 1 million times, making it one of the
most comprehensive and trusted game development tools in the industry.

More information on the Dream.Build.Play Challenge, including official
rules, can be found at www.dreambuildplay.com. More information on XNA
Game Studio can be found at create.msdn.com. Twitter users can follow
the conversation about the challenge using the hashtag #DBP2011.

Founded in 1975, Microsoft (Nasdaq: MSFT) is the worldwide leader in
software, services and solutions that help people and businesses realize
their full potential.

Christin Evans, +1-206-268-2205, Christin.Evans at edelman.com, or Brandon Vaughan, +1-206-505-6568, Brandon.Vaughan at edelman.com, both of Edelman for Microsoft Corp. / NOTE TO EDITORS: For more information, news and perspectives from Microsoft, please visit the Microsoft News Center at www.microsoft.com/news. Web links, telephone numbers and titles were correct at time of publication, but may have changed. For additional assistance, journalists and analysts may contact Microsoft's Rapid Response Team or other appropriate contacts listed at www.microsoft.com/news/contactpr.mspx.