Resources For Students

MSDN Academic Aliance

The MSDN Academic Alliance (MSDNAA) is the easiest and most inexpensive way for academic departments to make the latest Microsoft software available in labs, classrooms, and on student PCs. The program is available in more than 45 countries worldwide.

Students can download XNA Game Studio and receive a one year XNA Creators Club Online Academic Trial Membership, allowing students to deploy Xbox games to their console only.  An XNA Creators Club Premium Membership is required to submit games to Xbox LIVE Indie Games.

Not sure if your school has an MSDNAA membership? Use the School Member Search to see if your school is already signed up.

Microsoft DreamSpark

Whether you're a student working through high school or working on your degree at an institution of higher education, DreamSpark is here to help you achieve all your dreams. DreamSpark is simple; it's all about giving students Microsoft professional-level developer and designer tools at no charge, so you can chase your dreams and create the next big breakthrough in technology - or just get a head start on your career.

Students can download XNA Game Studio and receive a one year XNA Creators Club Online Academic Trial Membership, allowing students to deploy Xbox games to their console only. An XNA Creators Club Premium Membership is required to submit games to Xbox LIVE Indie Games.

Sign up today, get verified as a student, and start downloading!

 
Imagine Cup

The Imagine Cup is a global student technology competition focused on finding solutions to real-world issues. The Game Design competition is designed for you and your team to create a new game, giving a chance for students who've always enjoyed playing games to create their own game, and at the same time help change the global community.

Students who register receive a one year XNA Creators Club Online Academic Trial Membership, allowing students to deploy Xbox games to their console only. An XNA Creators Club Premium Membership is required to submit games to Xbox LIVE Indie Games.
 
Register today to compete in the Game Design competition! 

Resources For Faculty

Microsoft Faculty Connection

Microsoft® Faculty Connection is an online resource that addresses the challenges you face in teaching technology students by connecting you to worldwide faculty and a host of valuable tools. The site offers downloadable curricula, access to newsgroups, information on regional events and training, and free software. It’s your source for technology and colleague interactions that inspire both classrooms and careers.

Top Resource Center Downloads for XNA Game Studio:
 
Learn Programming with XNA
Introduction to Programming Through Game Development Using Microsoft XNA Game Studio

For all materials related to XNA Game Studio, visit the Resource Center.

Courses and curriculum

Below you'll find links and information to schools teaching XNA game development/design courses, degrees, and game development camps.

Organization	Location
SMU Guildhall	Dallas, Texas
University of Washington	Seattle, WA
Full Sail University	Winter Park, FL
Massachusetts Institute of Technology	Cambridge, MA
X48 Game Camp	Derby, United Kingdom

To view the full list of schools and game camps, click here. 

Books on XNA Game Studio

Book Title	Author(s)
Spieleentwicklung mit dem Microsoft XNA Framework (German, info)	Jens Konerow
RPG Programming with XNA Game Studio 3.0	James E. Perry
Microsoft® XNA® Game Studio 3.0: Learn Programming Now!	Rob Miles
More Microsoft® XNA® Game Studio 3.0: Create Great Games Now!	Rob Miles
Microsoft XNA Game Studio Creator's Guide, Second Edition	Stephen Cawood and Pat McGee
Beginning XNA 3.0 Game Programming: From Novice to Professional (Beginning from Novice to Professional)	Alexandre Santos Lobao, Bruno Pereira Evangelista, José Antonio Leal de Farias, and Riemer Grootjans
Zune Game Development using XNA 3.0 (Expert's Voice in XNA)	Dan Waters
XNA 3.0 Game Programming Recipes: A Problem-Solution Approach (Expert's Voice in XNA)	Riemer Grootjans
Microsoft XNA Game Studio 3.0 Unleashed	Chad Carter
Building XNA 3.0 Games: A Practical Guide for Independent Game Development	James Silva and John Sedlak
Learning XNA 3.0: XNA 3.0 Game Development for the PC, Xbox 360, and Zune	Aaron Reed
A Simple Introduction to Game Programming With C# and XNA 3.1 (free for download)	Curtis Bennett