The Xbox Community Games feature, the long-awaited system allowing amateur developers to create games for the Xbox 360, will come online with its own Channel when the New Xbox Experience launches on November 19.

A video interview with Kathleen Sanders from the XNA team on Major Nelson reveals the process by which aspiring developers can design and submit their own games to Xbox Live. Xbox Live subscribers can download games from the Community Games Channel, though none of them will be free.

XNA contest winners The Dishwasher: Dead Samurai, left, and Blazing Birds

"It's crazy, the range of games [I've seen] ... you've got Pong clones... Read more

Microsoft today issued more details on the Xbox 360's upcoming Community Games program, which will allow independent developers to release downloadable Xbox 360 games through the Xbox Live Marketplace later this year.

Developed using the Microsoft-issued XNA software, the games will be priced depending on their size. 50MB titles will go for 200 Microsoft Points ($2.50), with 150 MB games going for either 400 ($5) or 800 Microsoft Points ($10).

In terms of royalties, game creators will receive 70% of the title's total sales revenue, though an additional 10-30% may be subtracted based on promotional fees.

Developers are not able to opt out of the royalty-cutting promotions... Read more