View Full Version : Kodu- Create your own games
Matt Young
01-08-2009, 07:26 PM
http://www.xbox.com/en-US/community/news/2009/0107-kodu.htm
Unleash Your Inner Creator with Kodu
Published January 7, 2009
Xbox 360® players become creators with the release of Microsoft's new game, Kodu. Launching on the Xbox LIVE® Community Games Channel, Kodu has easy-to-use game creation techniques that make building personal playgrounds simple for anyone, with the help of an Xbox 360 controller.
"Creating a Kodu playground is not only easy,
but it is also fun and engaging."
— Matt MacLaurin, Microsoft
During a keynote speech at the annual Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas, 12-year-old student, Sparrow joined Microsoft's President of the Entertainment and Devices Division, Robbie Bach on stage to demonstrate the intuitive game that lets players choose from a variety of visual building blocks in order to develop their own unique creation.
Build Your Own World
This spring, Kodu will find its home among some of the freshest, most diverse and creatively independent games showcased on the Xbox LIVE Community Games Channel. Kodu is a pick-up-and-create game where anyone can build their own unique world in just minutes using a simple image-based creator menu that makes game creation simple for anyone, from ages seven to 70. Kodu-created playgrounds are expressed in physical action-reaction terms, using basic concepts like vision, hearing and time to control your character's behavior.
Start your own unique Kodu-created playgrounds from scratch or, if you aren't in the mood to create, choose from several pre-loaded levels for quick play. With almost 200 different game-creation building blocks to choose from, the opportunities are endless.
Magic of Game Creation
"We've done everything possible to make sure that creating a Kodu playground is not only easy, but that it is also fun and engaging for people of all ages and backgrounds," principal program manager for Microsoft Research and lead Kodu designer, Matt MacLaurin said. "Since Kodu 's interface is intuitive and prevents common programming mistakes, we're making it easy for everyone to enjoy the magic of game creation."
Originally designed by Microsoft Research as a learning tool for young kids, Kodu is the newest game to keep minds of all ages sharp by developing logic, problem-solving and creative thinking skills. In fact, in 2006, Microsoft Research teamed up with Girls Inc. and the University of Santa Barbara to create an after-school Kodu program to accurately measure the influence educational games have in the fields of math, science, and comprehension. The team logged hundreds of hours of Kodu research with creators from ages five to 45 to ensure that it is easy for beginners, but maintains a depth of content for those who are more advanced.
"What I love about Kodu is that I can do everything myself," Sparrow, who demoed the game, said. " It's fast to build and different from the other games I play. I can do cool, silly things in it!"
Community Games Channel
Kodu joins a host of family-friendly and casual games already on the Xbox LIVE Community Games Channel. Since its launch in November, the Xbox LIVE Community Games Channel has seen a lot of enthusiasm from both game-makers and consumers, where there are currently more than 100 independent, community-created games available for download.
CoffeeEdge
01-08-2009, 07:43 PM
I remember when they first talked about this nearly two years ago, back when it was called Boku. Glad to see they haven't abandoned it.
Can't wait to try it. It looks like it will absolutely curb stomp LittleBigPlanet, seeing as it's much closer to a real free-form programming language, whereas LBP is a platformer with an extremely in-depth editor, but still a platformer nonetheless.
And just in case anyone tries to start any shit about "ZOMG MICROSOFT COPYING SONY," Boku was announced before LBP, and the research behind it has been in the works at Microsoft Research for years before either went public.
YodaEXE
01-08-2009, 07:48 PM
It looks mildly interesting. Might be worth checking out. Do we have any info on a price or anything?
DarkNessBear
01-08-2009, 08:32 PM
I remember when they first talked about this nearly two years ago, back when it was called Boku. Glad to see they haven't abandoned it.
Can't wait to try it. It looks like it will absolutely curb stomp LittleBigPlanet, seeing as it's much closer to a real free-form programming language, whereas LBP is a platformer with an extremely in-depth editor, but still a platformer nonetheless.
And just in case anyone tries to start any shit about "ZOMG MICROSOFT COPYING SONY," Boku was announced before LBP, and the research behind it has been in the works at Microsoft Research for years before either went public.
Oh god...
http://www.gametrailers.com/player/44115.html
Can't wait to see your "Escape from Lolipop fun land" level Coffee...
TruVisionary
01-08-2009, 08:57 PM
hold on... was this game made by that little girl or is she just demo-ing it?
SoulReaver
01-08-2009, 09:07 PM
Seems interesting. I dunno how fun the games will be...
Still doesn't change the fact that I crave LBP like all hell. Sackboys + amazing custom levels= me salivating.
TruVisionary: I think she created it, pretty cool huh
CoffeeEdge
01-08-2009, 10:05 PM
Oh god...
Can't wait to see your "Escape from Lolipop fun land" level Coffee...
What?
If nothing else, this is going to be better than LBP because it doesn't have all the stupid hipster bullshit drenched all over it.
hold on... was this game made by that little girl or is she just demo-ing it?
Looking at how well she obviously understands the menus, I'm guessing she made it.
Strell
01-08-2009, 10:19 PM
It sort of looks like a weird smashup of LBP and Spore to me.
Hmmm.
gareman
01-08-2009, 11:01 PM
Oh god...
http://www.gametrailers.com/player/44115.html
Can't wait to see your "Escape from Lolipop fun land" level Coffee...
I hate watching big company press conferences at big electronics/video game expos. Simply due to PR people playing a game demo acting more excited and entertained than I have ever seen anyone get playing a full game.....That includes drunk ass 4 player Rock Band party.
The most excited I have ever been playing a game is when my friend and I took shrooms and played Wind Waker while waiting for it to kick in. After about an hour we were going bananas watching the camera zoomed in on links face while he curiously stared back at us. Even then, we weren't half as excited as that dude playing that game.
Droenixjpn
01-08-2009, 11:18 PM
Honestly, I'm just happy that this won't be released as a True Retail Game. A game that goes onto store shelves and stuff. I think it may be a good game as a Community game, but I hope this is basically just the Tech Demo of it. You guys won't be able to compare this game to Little Big Planet in anyway.
I'm still waiting for one of those type of games to come to the 360, but until then we'll have to enjoy what we have. This game looks like it'll be the closest thing we have to Little Big Planet until something else comes out.
I do encourage people to create games, but don't try and compare it to other retail games. Sure competition is good, but if you have it in Community games, while there is a game being sold on Store Shelves and try and say your game is better, then why is that game not on Store Shelves? Just saying.
Sorry for sounding like a jerk, it's probably because I'm tired and i'm stressing out over tomorrow.
That looks kind of limited.
CoffeeEdge
01-09-2009, 08:19 AM
That looks kind of limited.
Yes I'm sure we have seen all of it's capabilities in the first high-profile demo of it that only lasted for four minutes and featured a project created by a 12-year-old girl.
mykevermin
01-09-2009, 09:50 AM
stupid hipster bullshit
Please explain to me how a high-profile video game is "drenched" in "stupid hipster bullshit." Were we talking about the latest unknown music act everybody's going ga-ga about on myspace, I wouldn't argue. But taking that point to a highly advertised, highly promoted, top-selling PS3 game? P'shaw.
CoffeeEdge
01-09-2009, 10:04 AM
Please explain to me how a high-profile video game is "drenched" in "stupid hipster bullshit." Were we talking about the latest unknown music act everybody's going ga-ga about on myspace, I wouldn't argue. But taking that point to a highly advertised, highly promoted, top-selling PS3 game? P'shaw.
Yeah, you totally can't be mega-popular and full of hipster bullshit at the same time. Juno (http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0467406/) never happened.
If you can't detect the hipster bullshittery (http://img56.imageshack.us/img56/6083/25vuhv9f12168301721qn7.jpg) in this picture ("Yeah!," the cutesey metal horns, the smiley sun, jesus fucking christ), or in the game's soundtrack (motherfucking go team), then that's your problem I guess.
mykevermin
01-09-2009, 10:31 AM
:lol:
Fair enough. I guess Little Big Planet is indeed extraordinarily histper, unlike more conventional games. Take, for instance, a schmup featuring a toaster shooting Luchador masks. (http://www.cheapassgamer.com/forums/showpost.php?p=5333986&postcount=13)
Speaking purely in hypotheticals, naturally. ;)
CoffeeEdge
01-09-2009, 10:40 AM
Fair enough. I guess Little Big Planet is indeed extraordinarily histper, unlike more conventional games. Take, for instance, a schmup featuring a toaster shooting Luchador masks. (http://www.cheapassgamer.com/forums/showpost.php?p=5333986&postcount=13)
Speaking purely in hypotheticals, naturally. ;)
Okay wtf why do people think I was defending that Toaster shit. All I said was that it wasn't necessarily "artsy" just cause it isn't from EA or Activision, and isn't like some really cookie-cutter gangsta shooter or football game or whatever. I actually think it looks like a piece of shit with a stupid gimmick, but I don't think it's terribly "hipster." Do you just (http://www.pitchforkmedia.com/) not know (http://www.scdistribution.com/resources/klp175.jpg) what kind (http://www.canyouseethesunset.com/uploaded_images/the-go-team-proof-of-youth.jpg) of shit (http://img530.imageshack.us/img530/4854/bricklanehipsterssf4.jpg) I'm referring to?
mykevermin
01-09-2009, 10:45 AM
None whatsoever. :lol:
CoffeeEdge
01-09-2009, 10:48 AM
None whatsoever. :lol:
What?
Goodeye
01-09-2009, 11:33 AM
I just wanna see it released.... I will be getting it day one...
bluesyncopate
01-09-2009, 05:01 PM
They're two different games, people. Kodu looks pretty fun. I like the snappiness of the menu system. The advantage of LittleBigPlanet is its relative simplicity - you know you're making a platformer, and the toolset seems more user-friendly. Often you have to sacrifice expandability for playability.
Remember the RPG Maker series? It was far too complicated for most people. These "construction sets" have been around for ages - these are just two more examples of them. I don't know why the gaming media has decided there's a "game construction set" arms race.
FrankySox
01-09-2009, 05:10 PM
More like " Kodu-Punch yourself in the nuts "
m3talst0rm
01-09-2009, 07:32 PM
I guess my question is "What do you do with your game after it is created?" Do you buy Kodu and have unlimited access to all of these user-created games? Or will they be sold? Or will they only be available on the console in which they were created?
Hmmm.
Yes I'm sure we have seen all of it's capabilities in the first high-profile demo of it that only lasted for four minutes and featured a project created by a 12-year-old girl.
Well, if the demonstration is any indication, which is what a demonstration is for, then it looks limited.
CoffeeEdge
01-09-2009, 10:27 PM
Well, if the demonstration is any indication, which is what a demonstration is for, then it looks limited.
Would you have guessed how complex LBP is from just watching the first four minutes of the first presentation they did?
Remember, this was shown as CES, not a gaming trade show, so they probably didn't want to spend too long on it.
porieux
01-09-2009, 11:08 PM
It has to be limited to be what it is. Otherwise get a copy of Visual Studio C# or whatever ;)
KaneRobot
01-10-2009, 08:16 PM
I'm tired of Game 2.0 already. Let's go back to Game 0.6.
CoffeeEdge
01-10-2009, 09:08 PM
I'm tired of Game 2.0 already. Let's go back to Game 0.6.
Doesn't Sony claim that they are "Game 3.0" or some bullshit?
KaneRobot
01-10-2009, 10:43 PM
Doesn't Sony claim that they are "Game 3.0" or some bullshit?
I'm not sure, I'm still too "jacked into the Matrix" on the PS2 to notice.
Would you have guessed how complex LBP is from just watching the first four minutes of the first presentation they did?
Yes.
odintal
01-11-2009, 01:05 PM
Yes.
the first video i remember showed a bunch of sackboys riding a giant skateboard.
i thought it was just a co-op platformer for the longest time.
slickkill77
01-11-2009, 04:59 PM
From what I read and re-read the girl did not make the game. They were just using the girl to show how easy it is to make things in the game. MS and some other groups teamed up to make the game as a way for kids to stay sharp. I may be wrong though.
"principal program manager for Microsoft Research and lead Kodu designer, Matt MacLaurin said. "Since Kodu 's interface is intuitive and prevents common programming mistakes, we're making it easy for everyone to enjoy the magic of game creation."
Originally designed by Microsoft Research as a learning tool for young kids, Kodu is the newest game to keep minds of all ages sharp by developing logic, problem-solving and creative thinking skills. In fact, in 2006, Microsoft Research teamed up with Girls Inc. and the University of Santa Barbara to create an after-school Kodu program to accurately measure the influence educational games have in the fields of math, science, and comprehension."
CoffeeEdge
01-11-2009, 06:19 PM
Yes.
Bullshit. Watch 1:30 to 4:30 of this video, the first 4 minutes of the first LBP demonstration, and try again to tell me that that alone exemplified and communicated everything that LBP is capable of:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NI5JmcQv3n4
From what I read and re-read the girl did not make the game. They were just using the girl to show how easy it is to make things in the game. MS and some other groups teamed up to make the game as a way for kids to stay sharp. I may be wrong though.
"principal program manager for Microsoft Research and lead Kodu designer, Matt MacLaurin said. "Since Kodu 's interface is intuitive and prevents common programming mistakes, we're making it easy for everyone to enjoy the magic of game creation."
Originally designed by Microsoft Research as a learning tool for young kids, Kodu is the newest game to keep minds of all ages sharp by developing logic, problem-solving and creative thinking skills. In fact, in 2006, Microsoft Research teamed up with Girls Inc. and the University of Santa Barbara to create an after-school Kodu program to accurately measure the influence educational games have in the fields of math, science, and comprehension."
Where in there does it say that the girl didn't make the little game being demonstrated?
Or are you really, really, REALLY confused, and thinking that the claim is that that little girl made Kodu itself?
slickkill77
01-12-2009, 03:20 PM
Looking at how well she obviously understands the menus, I'm guessing she made it.
Im talking about that. I'm not confused, I think you guys are. Or you are being sarcastic
CoffeeEdge
01-12-2009, 03:34 PM
Im talking about that. I'm not confused, I think you guys are. Or you are being sarcastic
You misunderstood me. LOL, you actually think that anyone thinks that that 12 year old made Kodu itself? Good god, man. Let me explain again.
There seemed to be some question over whether or not the girl actually made the rock-collecting game being demonstrated within Kodu. I was saying that since she seems to understand the menus, and seems to how to use Kodu pretty well, stringing together commands and whatnot. And since she seems to know how to use Kodu pretty well, I don't see why there is any question as to whether or not she made the rock-collecting game, since she obviously knows how to use Kodu.
Bullshit. Watch 1:30 to 4:30 of this video, the first 4 minutes of the first LBP demonstration, and try again to tell me that that alone exemplified and communicated everything that LBP is capable of:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NI5JmcQv3n4
Why do you always shove words in peoples' mouths whenever you're a part of a digital argument?
"exemplified and communicated everything that LBP is capable of"? Way to take your original question, ("Would you have guessed how complex LBP is from just watching the first four minutes of the first presentation they did?"), snatch my answer, and somehow retro-actively apply it to a more extreme implication.
All I said is that Kodu looks limited, based on the demonstration.
LittleBigPlanet's demonstration left more to the imagination, because one can better grasp its concepts, and because the game, itself, has a vibrant genre to work from: the platformer.
What is the base genre we have to work with in Kodu? A dual-analog Robotron: 2084 clone? Seriously. What the fuck was that?
LittleBigPlanet's demonstration > Whatever the Hell Microsoft showed at CES
CoffeeEdge
01-12-2009, 05:14 PM
In the first four minutes of the LBP demo, they only seemed to indicate that you dropped shit into the world, not that you had any programming capabilities.
RelentlessRolento
07-01-2009, 01:38 AM
It's out.
http://kotaku.com/5305127/xbox-game-creator-software-now-out-available-for-download
Matt Young
07-01-2009, 01:48 AM
Well, poop. Now I need more points.
bigdaddybruce44
07-01-2009, 03:41 AM
$5 for this seems like a great deal. Of course, I'd probably screw around with it once and give up. I remember when I bought RPG Maker for the PS1. Oh, ho, ho. That got old fast. Realize this isn't nearly as complex, but still, a similar situation will likely arise if I put down my $5.
CoffeeEdge
07-01-2009, 03:48 AM
Where is the goddamn PC version??? >:(
RelentlessRolento
07-01-2009, 04:27 AM
Might bite, but I'll wait to hear what people think first.
maxim2boobles
07-02-2009, 08:57 AM
If anyone wants to share maps , PM me. I will be creating some games too.
KingDox
07-03-2009, 04:40 AM
The demo video on Joystiq made the game look pretty bad ass. If I had time I would pick it up, it seems to be a killer deal at 5 bucks.
Viva Las Vegas
07-03-2009, 11:14 AM
Where is the download for this game? What section? I couldn't find it before.
Sdawg
07-03-2009, 01:05 PM
Where is the download for this game? What section? I couldn't find it before.
I think it's in the community games section, at least that's were I found it on the xbox.com marketplace.
Matt Young
07-05-2009, 08:06 PM
Yes, that is correct.
I have only gotten to spend maybe an hour on the game due to the holiday weekend, but I'll be going through the tutorials and trying some things out this week. Hopefully others here will, too.
Spybreak8
07-05-2009, 08:46 PM
Yea after seeing the Joystiq video, as well as hearing about it in the past, I decided to check it out. Pretty cool since you can do a lot of complicated code stuff very easily with the visual UI. I'm making a little campaign with the trial, no MPs since I just bought Worms 2 recently.
FurryCurry
07-08-2009, 10:53 AM
I bought it but I only spent like an hour myself. Gonna watch the tutorial videos next time I boot it up. Game needs an intro video.