You, too, can create Xbox 360 games

Microsoft plans to release development tools that will let independent developers and amateur users create Xbox 360 games.

The initiative is called XNA Game Studio Express, and under it, newly created games will be made available to the anyone who spends $99 on a yearly subscription to a so-dubbed "Creators Club." (For full story, click here.)

The idea is that any club member will be able to share their games with the club in order to get feedback, as well as test other members' creations.

The games would not be initially available to the general public, but Microsoft hopes that the best titles created within the club might eventually make it to the public.

Games created using XNA Game Studio Express will run on either the Xbox or a PC, Microsoft said.