The Code Room

The Code Room is a half-hour long reality game show produced by Microsoft. The show was conceptualized and executive produced by Paul Murphy and hosted by Jessi Knapp who is accompanied by a varying project expert. Each episode consists of a number of MSDN Developer Event attendees who must team up to complete a project, with given specifications, in a limited amount of time. The Code Room is filmed at an MSDN Developer Event and aired on several cable television stations, as well as other streaming television stations like MSDN TV. The show can also be watched for free through the Channel 9 community, and is additionally included in several MSDN CDs and DVDs. The "Code Room" is typically an enclosed room with one or more desks, whiteboards, and computers. All required programming tools are installed, along with other stationery. However, no internet connection is available and contestants may not bring their own notes. Contestants must use preselected development environments which are typically new to them, having only been given a quick crash course about the environment in a presentation before the contest begins. Teams that were able to complete the project within the required time are eligible for prizes and to be part of "Team Code FF." In the end of the series, the two top "Team Code FF" teams will compete in the Final Code Room challenge for the ultimate "Code Room Champion" title.