In an unprecedented move for Microsoft, they appear to be encouraging amateur developers to produce games for the XBOX 360 and Windows XP / Vista. While Microsoft has talked about encouraging amateur developers in the past, it has taken little action to do so until now.

Microsoft calls their new program “XNA” (which doesn’t stand for anything). Using Microsoft’s C Sharp programming language, developers can write games that will run on either Windows or the XBox 360. Once written, anyone who purchases the XNA developer package from their 360 (about $100 / year) can then upload those games to their 360.

This program is great for independent developers – from small game studios to individual college students. The XNA environment is actually pretty well thought out. Aside from the cross-platform nature of the environment, they also provide what they call a “content pipeline,” which makes it much easier for developers to get 3d models and artwork into their projects.

The community nature of XNA is also a very welcome change for Microsoft. Already, many user-created tutorials and message boards are popping up on the Internet. If this is any indication, there will be a healthy community of amateur game developers for XNA. Microsoft has also indicated that they will talk with the better game developers for publishing their projects on Xbox Live.

The XNA program is also good for game-players. Where else can you get unlimited games for $100 / year, or less than the cost of 2 regular Xbox 360 games. There already about half a dozen games available.