Microsoft X48 student game camp returns for two dates in 2010

Microsoft has announced two dates for X48 - its XNA Game Studio event aimed at students - this year.

The first is February 19, where the game camp will set up at Birmingham City University, and the second is March 19, when the event will take place at the University of Huddersfield.

X48 is an intensive two-day games development camp aimed at design and developments students from across the UK.

Students will be challenged to create a game that looks beyond the traditional puzzler or first-person shooter based around a theme unveiled on the day.

As well as getting the chance to develop a game from scratch in a studio environment, competitors also receive invaluable mentoring from professionals in attendance. Post-event, their games will be made available on the X48 website where others will be able to play them and give feedback.

"It gives our faculty great pleasure to be able to host Microsoft's X48 game camp this year, giving our students and staff the opportunity to experience game development in a new fun and exciting way outside of the normal classroom environment." said Andrew Wilson, course director of two games courses at Birmingham City University.

"Bringing together the excitement and pressure of X48 with the global impact of the Imagine Cup will give students a real opportunity to showcase the potential of the next generation of games industry leaders and innovators," added Andrew Sithers, academic lead at Microsoft UK.

Students can register for either the Birmingham or Huddersfield event via the official websites.