XNA is not a game engine. It's a framework that allows easier use of DirectX for Windows, Zune and XBOX 360 (making it mulitplatform) software development. You have to build / borrow / buy a game engine.

For independent game development it's quite good if you are targeting any of the above platforms (and Mac via bootcamp etc). As far as using what 99.9% of companies are using to develop games, good luck with finding that mysterious library. C++ and Gambryo? C++ and Python and LUA and XML and Unreal? The game engine has a lot to do with it, and no engine is used by 99.9%. As game development progresses, you're going to see C++ used primarily in engine code, but less adoption in the game logic.

So much FUD around here in years past. Not everyone can assemble a team to develop a game using an expensive proprietary engine, along with the requisite creative and technical talent to make something competitive or even fun. XNA is a well built framework, regardless of petty politics. Blender is an amazing 3D suite — again, regardless of petty politics. C# is an excellent alternative to similar OOP languages, and is considerably faster to code with than, say, C++ (especially considering how many different libraries you need to become familiar with, and how frequently those libraries for C++ change) in many cases.

To political zealots: C# is a great tool. Java is a great tool. C is a great tool. C++ is a great tool. F# is awesome. Python makes me grin with how fun it is to use … etc. Each are tools, and you should keep many tools in your toolbox to use whenever appropriate. Who learns only one language? Use them based on their strengths.

TLDR: Blender + XNA is outstanding, no less so than Blender + C++/Ogre.

Cool article. Definitely useful for someone trying to break into games development on a low budget :)