God news for those of you who are fans of both the IGF and Microsoft’s XBLA downloadable channel as the pair seem to have partnered up on the upcoming IGF awards for the next few years. Apparently, a winner will be picked from the 2012 IGF entrants from either the Main Competition or Student Showcase and announced on stage at GDC 2012.

Here’s what they’ll get:

The prize will consist of a guaranteed first-party publishing deal to release the selected title on Microsoft’s LIVE-enabled platforms, including the Xbox LIVE Arcade service, Windows Phone, and Windows. The sponsor-supported prize includes full game funding to complete the title, if desired.

If the creator of the selected game opts to accept the prize and associated contract, they will also get access to IGF Platinum Sponsor Microsoft’s extensive suite of first-party publishing services. This includes best in class usability, testing, and production aid to help complete their game, as well as the game gaining a sought-after ‘slot’ to officially release the title on Xbox LIVE Arcade and other platforms.

In a sense, this could be the biggest and most sought after prize of the IGF for the next few years. While the cash prize is always nice the first party publishing deal and the “full game funding” is quite impressive considering that it can cost upwards of $100,000 to develop even the smallest of indie games.

It’ll be exciting to see who gets the first XBLA Prize. I guess we’ll just ave to wait until March to find out…

[IGF]

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