On Friday 20th March 2009, videogame design and development students from all over the UK will relocate to the University of Derby’s cutting edge Computer Games Lab for the first XNA GameCamp.

Produced by Pixel-Lab for Microsoft and Channel 4, X48 will see which games the next generation of industry talent can create in less than 48 hours. Using Microsoft’s XNA Game Studio 3.0 the teams will build game prototypes on a theme to be unveiled during Friday morning’s initiation.

Competitors will gain valuable experience in time-bound development, and X48 will provide them with the chance to show their creations to a Microsoft-led panel of judges at the closing ceremony. Channel 4, Microsoft and students alike will benefit from being in a hotbed of emerging talent and like-minded developers from around the country.

During the two days, University of Derby will be providing the hardware and software needed to develop the games at their Kedleston Road site, as well as providing teams with sleeping and refreshments facilities.

The event’s theme this year will give students a challenge to make innovative new games that look beyond the traditional puzzle game or first person shooter. This could create conversations around games that don’t normally happen, and maybe even lead to new audiences.

The event is free to attend, but registration is on a first come first served basis at http://x48.eventbrite.com