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Microsoft Releases Improved, Cheaper Dev Kits
Most gamers probably don't know or care what an XDK is, but some new changes to Microsoft's development console may have an impact on what you'll get to play in the future.
Gamasutra is reporting that the new console will feature extra RAM, built-in flash memory, larger hard drives, and most importantly, a "significantly reduced" price tag. The XDK will also have an optional Sidecar attachment, which will acts as a debugger and disc emulator, that can be used with multiple dev kits. Why does any of this matter? The cheaper it is for a developer to create games for the 360, the more games you'll get to play.
"Microsoft is known in the industry for providing easy-to-use tools that allow developers to create high quality games without a huge time investment," says Xbox Advanced Technology Group program manager, Pete Isensee. "Now we're offering those tools at a lower cost to reduce their monetary investment as well."
Isensee went on to say that the new XDK is an indicator of Microsoft's continued support of the Xbox 360, which will continue for "years to come."
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