Microsoft Set Up Annual 'XBLA Prize' at 2011 IGF

Microsoft are offering one entry in next year's Independent Games Festival the chance to win a place in the Xbox Live Arcade, along with full publisher support. The competition, which Microsoft intend to turn into an annual fixture at the IGF, will be called the 'XBLA Prize.'

Working with a jury of independent game developers, MS will put together a shortlist before deciding on the winner, who will then get the opportunity to get their game out across all Live-supported platforms, from XBLA and Windows Phone to Windows itself.

All necessary QA, usability and production assistance will also be provided, as well as funding to help complete the game, if needed. It's quite the prize. "Since it was founded in the mid-1970s, Microsoft has always been passionate about independent development and developers," said Microsoft's exec Ted Woolsey over on Gamasutra.

"Back before Xbox, Xbox Live and Kinect, back before Office, Windows, and even DOS, Microsoft's first products were programming tools for developers. We continue to respect and admire the work our developer-partners produce, and one of our main goals as a company is to empower people - consumers and developers - to realise their dreams through our technology."

To that end, MS currently invests in excess of $20 million dollars a year to help fund XBLA games, says Woolsey.

"With our business increasing year over year we consider this a smart investment in the ecosystem, and another way we support the independent development community. In that spirit, we're very excited about our multi-year sponsorship of the Independent Games Festival. The IGF has a deservedly great reputation for work it's done with independent games and developers."

The Independent Games Festival has a history of supporting some of the most innovative, interesting and just plain fun games in the industry. Minecraft, Limbo, Machinarium and Braid have all been recognised. Next year's event runs from 5th to 9th March.

[Cheers, Eurogamer]