Visual Studio 2008

The Visual Studio Express Editions are an expansion of the Visual Studio and SQL Server product line to include fun, simple and easy-to-learn tools for non-professional developers like hobbyists, students and novice developers who want to build dynamic Windows applications, Web sites, and Web services. The Express products consist of:

• Visual Basic 2008 Express Edition - Productivity that is ideal for first time or casual Windows programming
• Visual C# 2008 Express Edition – A great combination of power and productivity for the Windows developer
• Visual C++ 2008 Express Edition – Horsepower with a finer degree of control than other Express Editions
• Visual Web Developer 2008 Express Edition – An easy-to-use environment for dynamic Web application development
• SQL Server 2005 Express and SQL Server Compact Edition – A powerful and easy-to-use set of databases to complement each Express Edition

Homepage: http://www.microsoft.com/express/

Visual3D

Visual3D.NET™ is the first shader-based 3D engine and design toolset built on Microsoft .NET and XNA designed to simplify rapid creation of:

• Next-generation PC and Xbox 360 games
• Massive-multiplayer online games (MMOs)
• Interactive visualizations
• Training simulations
• and other 3D virtual worlds

Homepage: http://www.visual3d.net

XNA Game Studio

XNA Game Studio Express is a new game development solution targeted primarily at students, hobbyists, and independent game developers. XNA Game Studio Express is based on Visual C# Express 2005 and lets developers create games for both Windows and Xbox 360. XNA Game Studio Express contains the following:

• The XNA Framework, a set of managed code development libraries that make it possible for game developers to be more productive when creating games for Windows and the Xbox 360.
• The XNA Framework Content Pipeline, a set of tools that allow developers to more easily incorporate 3D content into their games
• XNA Game Studio Express also contains a full set of documentation, how-tos, and starter kits that demonstrate how best to use the content pipeline and XNA Framework.
• XNA Game Studio Express runs side-by-side with other versions of Visual Studio without interference
• XNA Game Studio Express has now been released, and can be found here. It supports both Windows and Xbox 360 game development.

Homepage: http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/xna