This document discusses opportunities for indie game developers on Windows and Windows Phone platforms. It notes that customers are downloading more games than any other app type and are willing to spend money. The Windows 8 and Windows Phone 8 platforms provide opportunities to give customers what they want through a shared development experience across devices. Several indie developers are highlighted who have found success on the Windows platforms with one game achieving over 1 million downloads. The document promotes resources and programs available to indie developers, including free developer accounts and the Imagine Cup game development competition.

1. signing great games
for Windows

2. 1bn+
Source: http://blogs.msdn.com/b/windowsstore/archive/2011/12/06/announcing-the-new-windows-store.aspx

3. 690m
Source: IDC, March 2012

4. Source: IDC, March 2012
100m

7. Why Games.... Demand

Customers are downloading
more games than any other type
of app

Customers are willing to spend
money for the privilege

There is an opportunity here to
give customers what they
want

9. Windows 8
Touch-first, full-screen UX
Integrated store
Existing dev skills, assets
ARM + x86/64 support
http://dev.windows.com
http://design.windows.com

10. Windows Phone 8
Shared core with Windows 8
Common programming model
Reusable code
Native games
http://dev.windowsphone.com

11. Great experience across all hardware

12. Amazing Choices
Tablets
Hybrids
All in Ones

13. Amazing Entry Level Devices >£150
Nokia Lumia 520
Nokia Lumia 620
Nokia Lumia 720

14. Amazing High Spec Devices including 6inch devices
Nokia Lumia 1020
Nokia Lumia 1520
Nokia Lumia 925

15. This is all great news, but what does it
mean for indie developers..
Developing for Windows 8 and Windows Phone?

16. Mudvark: Mortar Melon. More than 450,000 downloads...
Windows Phone 8 version just released
750,000+
Source: http://blogs.msdn.com/b/windowsstore/archive/2011/12/06/announcing-the-new-windows-store.aspx

17. Yippee Entertainment: Chimpact – #1 Paid App worldwide in
Windows 8 store during the first half of March 2013. Available
on Windows 8 and Windows Phone 8
No.1 App WW
Source: http://blogs.msdn.com/b/windowsstore/archive/2011/12/06/announcing-the-new-windows-store.aspx

18. Joy Bits: Doodle God
Over 1 million downloads within 9 months of Windows 8 launch,
Significant code re-use from Windows Phone to Windows 8.
1,000,000+
Source: http://blogs.msdn.com/b/windowsstore/archive/2011/12/06/announcing-the-new-windows-store.aspx

19. Rebellion: Dredd vs Zombie
Over 1 million downloads within 9 months of Windows 8 launch,
Significant code re-use from Windows Phone to Windows 8.
1,550,000+
Source: http://blogs.msdn.com/b/windowsstore/archive/2011/12/06/announcing-the-new-windows-store.aspx

21. FREE Windows 8 Developer Account
FREE Windows Phone Developer Account
FREE Xbox 360 Creator Account
FREE Software, tools and resources
http://www.dreamspark.com

23. www.xbox.com/id

26. http://mem
false
_gKMJT7
http://www.imaginecup.com
Active Dates (GMT): Tue, 10 Sep 2013 00:00 - Thu, 31 Jul 2014 23:59
Join the global game revolution.
Today, great games come from anywhere and people play them everywhere. On their phones, on their
computers, on their tablets, in their browser, with their friends, with anyone, with everyone.
The Imagine Cup Games Competition is a global contest for the best new student games and the winning
team will take home $50,000 (US).
Create a desktop or tablet game using Windows, or a mobile game using Windows Phone, or a browser game
using Windows Azure and you could win big at the Imagine Cup World Finals in Seattle 2014.

27. 1.Becoming
part of the
conversation
2. Building trust
and
long-term
relationships
3. Engendering
platform
adoption –
but only if
we can do
1 & 2 first
4. Working with
indie startups makes us
a better
company
It is in our DNA.
Microsoft’s mission is to enable people and business around
the world to realise their full potential.

28. What is the full breadth of our offering?
Microsoft Ventures

29. Made in Creative UK
Windows Store Spotlight
Made in Creative UK is a new campaign to increase recognition of the UK’s creative
talent.
The UK games industry is the largest in Europe and has developed some of the
most respected video game franchises
Made in Creative UK are inviting UK developers to display the Made in Creative UK
logo in their games and to play their part in recognising the economic and cultural
contribution of the UK games sector to the global games industry.
https://www.facebook.com/WindowsUK
https://www.facebook.com/windowsphoneuk

33. http://aka.ms/UKAccelerator
Microsoft Ventures

34. What makes us unique?
Access to global partner ecosystem
Zero equity
Well-funded, fully staffed
Strong curriculum
1:1 mentoring
Global Alumni Network
Publishing access to Windows 8, Windows Phone &
XboxOne
• Continuation plans
Microsoft Ventures
•
•
•
•
•
•
•

35. Microsoft Ventures

37. Microsoft Ventures

38. Lift Studio In-Residence Studio
• “In-Residence” Studio based at Microsoft Lift London Studio, Soho
• Advice/guidance/Mentorship from industry experts
• Investment
• Access to Hardware and Technology
• New “In-Residence” Team wanted Start Feb 2014 in Soho Office,
London Contact liftres@microsoft.com
38

41. AppCampus
• A three year project, based in
Aalto University: a fusion of engineering +
business + design
• Funded with 21M€ by Microsoft, Nokia
and Aalto University.
• A new kind of seed accelerator for next
generation of mobile experience offering
€20k - €70k
• http://www.appcampus.fi
41

42. A Go-To-Market slingshot
A Unique Accelerator
• No Equity Dilution
• No Revenue Share required
• IPRs remain property of developers
Four key facets
• Award Platform
• AppCademy Coaching Program
• Global Alumni Network
• Go-To-Market -support
Our only demand is 90 days exclusivity to Windows-platform
42

43. Criteria
Differentiation: Brand New App, OR existing App with differentiated
features X WP.
Mass Market Appeal: potential to generage + 1/2 M
Downloads/Year and/or 10Ks€ of Revenue/Year.
Great Team: experienced in Apps/Services on key mobile platforms
with proven design, technical & biz capabilities.
Convincing overall proposal: App design, features/content,
technical solution, business model.
43

44. Key Features
Live Tiles & Secondary Tile
Push Notifications
Lock Screen (WP8)
Try and Buy
In App Purchase (WP8)
Speech (WP8)
Deals/Wallet (WP8)
NFC (WP8)
Nokia MixRadio (WP8, App to App Communication)
Nokia Maps/LBS
Lenses (WP8)
44

45. Developers:
http://www.dreamspark.com
Start Ups:
BizSpark http://www.microsoft.com/bizspark/
Appcampus http://www.appcamus.fi
Microsoft Accelerator http://aka.ms/UKAccelerator
Microsoft Cloud Services: http://www.windowsazure.com