Kodu: Make Your Own Games on XBLA (Boku)

Since 6779 Days

Someone on B3D mentioned this game last week, and here are some links and thoughts on it. "How did I ever miss this? This ... thing... looks amazing! I haven't heard anything about this, so is MS sending it off to die? As Shifty's post indicates it is getting no love. A big problem I am seeing that that it constantly is talking about kids... you know, this looks perfect for teens who want to dabble in creative game ideas or, ahem, people like me! Forget Mario Party, it looks like this me and my boys could make a dozen of the best party games ourselves and have a blast. Mario Kart? Heh, just make your own"

I linked to a number of videos here: http://forum.beyond3d.com/showthread.php?t=54360

And some more links:

Nice G4TV Walkthrough
http://g4tv.com/thefeed/blog/post/694249/GDC-2009-...

Nice long feature article:
http://seedmagazine.com/content/article/serious_fu...

MS Research website about Kodu
http://research.microsoft.com/en-us/projects/kodu/

As the above site indicates, this may be coming to the PC
http://koduclub.org/faq.aspx

Kodu news article, shooter made in a couple minutes
http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/technologybr...

Looks like racers and first-person views are in:
http://www-2.crispygamer.com/blogs/post/2009/04/14...

The characters and graphics have a certain amount for Japanese pop-art charm and what I saw of Kodu was surprisingly supple. I saw a first-person racer and played and coded through the skeleton of a 3D action-shooter. MacLaurin showed me how different characters can share the same AI pattern and how multiple users can edit code at the same time.

IGN Makes a very basic sidescroller in minutes
http://xbox360.ign.com/dor/objects/14310459/kodu/v...

Wiki notes, "Many different types of game can be made in kodu, such as racing, strategy, rpg, adventure, platform, puzzle, 1st person shooters, and others."

How cool is this?!

In reply to

Someone on B3D mentioned this game last week, and here are some links and thoughts on it. "How did I ever miss this? This ... thing... looks amazing! I haven't heard anything about this, so is MS sending it off to die? As Shifty's post indicates it is getting no love. A big problem I am seeing that that it constantly is talking about kids... you know, this looks perfect for teens who want to dabble in creative game ideas or, ahem, people like me! Forget Mario Party, it looks like this me and my boys could make a dozen of the best party games ourselves and have a blast. Mario Kart? Heh, just make your own"

I linked to a number of videos here: http://forum.beyond3d.com/showthread.php?t=54360

And some more links:

Nice G4TV Walkthrough
http://g4tv.com/thefeed/blog/post/694249/GDC-2009-Microsofts-Kodu-Game-Creator--My-First-Gaming-Software-Development-Kit.html

Nice long feature article:
http://seedmagazine.com/content/article/serious_fun/

MS Research website about Kodu
http://research.microsoft.com/en-us/projects/kodu/

As the above site indicates, this may be coming to the PC
http://koduclub.org/faq.aspx

Kodu news article, shooter made in a couple minutes
http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/technologybrierdudleysblog/2009373985_confirmed_microsoft_kodu_for_x.html

Looks like racers and first-person views are in:
http://www-2.crispygamer.com/blogs/post/2009/04/14/Can-you-do-Kodu.aspx

[quote]The characters and graphics have a certain amount for Japanese pop-art charm and what I saw of Kodu was surprisingly supple. I saw a first-person racer and played and coded through the skeleton of a 3D action-shooter. MacLaurin showed me how different characters can share the same AI pattern and how multiple users can edit code at the same time. [/quote]

IGN Makes a very basic sidescroller in minutes
http://xbox360.ign.com/dor/objects/14310459/kodu/videos/kodu_gmp_reallysimplesidescroller_62609.html

Wiki notes, "Many different types of game can be made in kodu, such as racing, strategy, rpg, adventure, platform, puzzle, 1st person shooters, and others."

How cool is this?!

Pwn'd by Phaethon360.

FreeSwag

Since 6032 Days

What is really amazing about this tool, is that it's out this week (supposedly on Wednesday) and it only costs $5 (400

).

The other really cool thing about Kodu, is that it can be used for prototyping gameplay mechanics (timing, collisions, etc.) relatively quickly (in a matter of hours). And even tweeking/polishing those game play mechanics. And then transferring over what you've learned about your core game play, to larger development kits. I've been mucking about with XNA Studio for the past few months. I'm no programmer by trade, but I have programmed (the occasional application, script, website, or pluggin) before, mostly as a hobby. So I'm not picking up XNA Studio completely naked. But having tooled around with it in my free time for the last couple of months, I can see where something like Kodu could be used to simplify a lot of work in XNA Studio. You could think of the games you make using Kodu, as the pre-viz or 'proof of concept' to games you want to make with XNA Studio. So I am really looking forward to digging into Kodu later this week

The other thing I like about how Kodu appears to be set up, is that it provides a logic tree (from some of the stuff I have seen, some of them quite complex) to how you made things work in Kodu. Knowing the logic behind how you made it work in Kodu, can be applied directly to making it work in a proper development environment. I'd also be interested to see, if you can decompile the source code for your Kudo creations in XNA Studio. If so, that would go a long way towards helping even experienced programmers, but certainly novice programmers like myself, to making real Indie games. Games likely to show up later on the Community Games channel of Xbox LIVE.

It is my hope that having a tool around like Kodu, will lead to more better Indie games on Xbox 360, because Community Games programmers will be able to iterate out issues with their game play and design very quickly, and not to mention for free, using Kodu. Then transfer over the lessons they have learned to XNA Studio as real game code.

So to say that I am excited about this tool, is an understatement. I really have not felt this excited about programming anything since the days of working on the Commodore64, the TRS90 and the Adam Computer. Now that brings back memories.

In reply to

What is really amazing about this tool, is that it's out this week (supposedly on Wednesday) and it only costs $5 (400 [img]http://img514.imageshack.us/img514/4287/microsoftpoint1368108.gif[/img]).

The other really cool thing about Kodu, is that it can be used for prototyping gameplay mechanics (timing, collisions, etc.) relatively quickly (in a matter of hours). And even tweeking/polishing those game play mechanics. And then transferring over what you've learned about your core game play, to larger development kits. I've been mucking about with XNA Studio for the past few months. I'm no programmer by trade, but I have programmed (the occasional application, script, website, or pluggin) before, mostly as a hobby. So I'm not picking up XNA Studio completely naked. But having tooled around with it in my free time for the last couple of months, I can see where something like Kodu could be used to simplify a lot of work in XNA Studio.  You could think of the games you make using Kodu, as the pre-viz or 'proof of concept' to games you want to make with XNA Studio. So I am really looking forward to digging into Kodu later this week

The other thing I like about how Kodu appears to be set up, is that it provides a logic tree (from some of the stuff I have seen, some of them quite complex) to how you made things work in Kodu. Knowing the logic behind how you made it work in Kodu, can be applied directly to making it work in a proper development environment. I'd also be interested to see, if you can decompile the source code for your Kudo creations in XNA Studio. If so, that would go a long way towards helping even experienced programmers, but certainly novice programmers like myself, to making real Indie games. Games likely to show up later on the Community Games channel of Xbox LIVE.

It is my hope that having a tool around like Kodu, will lead to more better Indie games on Xbox 360, because Community Games programmers will be able to iterate out issues with their game play and design very quickly, and not to mention for free, using Kodu. Then transfer over the lessons they have learned to XNA Studio as real game code.

So to say that I am excited about this tool, is an understatement. I really have not felt this excited about programming [i]anything[/i] since the days of working on the Commodore64, the TRS90 and the Adam Computer. Now that brings back memories.

"Blogging is like masturbating into a mirror while you videotape yourself, so you can watch it later, while you masturbate " - LEWIS BLACK (2008)

FreeSwag

Since 6032 Days

I was just reading the Seed Magazine article on Kodu (thanks for the link, Acer93), and as I was reading the last couple of paragraphs, out of the blue, the almost uncontrollable desire to have this tool running on Nintendo DS struck me. After several minutes of being depressed Kudo was not a Nintendo product but a Microsoft product, and as a result would likely never show up on DS, it hit me . . . XNA Studio games, starting with the ver 2.0 release, will work on Zune. And just like that, Kodu just became my #1 reason to pick up a Zune HD. One would think that I would have already been sold on the Tegra inside the Zune HD (and I almost was), but I found the lack of a 3G, GSM phone in Zune HD, kind of diminished my desire for the device - I could always wait until HTC, put out a touch screen, WinMo7, Tegra device. But just thinking about portable Kodu, and being able to use the downtime from the long, twice daily commute, to program and refine game ideas into Kodu, that really got me chomping at the bit for a Zune HD.

In reply to

I was just reading the [b][url=http://seedmagazine.com/content/article/serious_fun/]Seed Magazine article[/url][/b] on Kodu (thanks for the link, Acer93), and as I was reading the last couple of paragraphs, out of the blue, the almost uncontrollable desire to have this tool running on Nintendo DS struck me. After several minutes of being depressed Kudo was not a Nintendo product but a Microsoft product, and as a result would likely never show up on DS, it hit me . . . XNA Studio games, starting with the ver 2.0 release, will work on Zune. And just like that, Kodu just became my #1 reason to pick up a Zune HD. One would think that I would have already been sold on the Tegra inside the Zune HD (and I almost was), but I found the lack of a 3G, GSM phone in Zune HD, kind of diminished my desire for the device - I could always wait until HTC, put out a touch screen, WinMo7, Tegra device. But just thinking about portable Kodu, and being able to use the downtime from the long, twice daily commute, to program and refine game ideas into Kodu, that really got me chomping at the bit for a Zune HD.

"Blogging is like masturbating into a mirror while you videotape yourself, so you can watch it later, while you masturbate " - LEWIS BLACK (2008)

Megido

Since 6133 Days

I'll have to see some pretty sweet stuff if this is going to impress me. The part that concerns me the most is the obvious lack of original content. You might make a working game but it'll be filled with stock graphics and sound.

In reply to

El perro, el perro es mi corazón
El gato, el gato, el gato es no bueno
Cilantro es cantante
Cilantro es muy famoso
Cilantro es el hombre con el queso del diablo!

dcdelgado

Since 6668 Days

I think the whole point is that is you have an interest or want to dabble in making a game this is a very easy and cheap way to do so, at $5 i'll be giving it a go for sure.

In reply to

** Yes We CAN!! **

Kaz Hirai - Sony

"We don't provide the 'easy to program for' console that [developers] want, because 'easy to program for' means that anybody will be able to take advantage of pretty much what the hardware can do" LOLOLOLOL!!

Megido

Since 6133 Days

I'll probably get it as well, IF it's available for us here in Europe, seeing as how community games aren't.

In reply to

El perro, el perro es mi corazón
El gato, el gato, el gato es no bueno
Cilantro es cantante
Cilantro es muy famoso
Cilantro es el hombre con el queso del diablo!

Jollipop

Since 6691 Days

Will be ineteresting to see what people come up with.

In reply to

Marumaro for the WIN !!

dcdelgado

Since 6668 Days

Good point, i wonder if we will get screwed yet again?

In reply to

** Yes We CAN!! **

Kaz Hirai - Sony

"We don't provide the 'easy to program for' console that [developers] want, because 'easy to program for' means that anybody will be able to take advantage of pretty much what the hardware can do" LOLOLOLOL!!

alimokrane

Since 6738 Days

I spoted this a while back and the topic pretty much died :9 glad to see you acert give this another look. I think this could be quite interesting.

In reply to

Megido

Since 6133 Days

Anyone interested in this kind of software should already be aware of stuff like GameMaker and Multimedia Fusion though, from the videos those applications seem to offer way more in terms of complexity and freedom :)

In reply to

El perro, el perro es mi corazón
El gato, el gato, el gato es no bueno
Cilantro es cantante
Cilantro es muy famoso
Cilantro es el hombre con el queso del diablo!

dcdelgado

Since 6668 Days

Are they $5 also??

In reply to

** Yes We CAN!! **

Kaz Hirai - Sony

"We don't provide the 'easy to program for' console that [developers] want, because 'easy to program for' means that anybody will be able to take advantage of pretty much what the hardware can do" LOLOLOLOL!!

GriftGFX

Since 6808 Days

This looks really neat. I'm not sure I can see myself spending much time with it but I look forward to seeing what people make.

In reply to

KORNdog

Since 6212 Days

i think i'm with megido on this, i need to see what someone with genine passion and skill can create before i get particularly interested. seeing stuff like that ign video just made me care even less tho. hopefully some can make a killer game with the tools avaliable.

In reply to

Megido

Since 6133 Days

DCdelgado: nope, when i bought Game Maker i payed 20 euros for it, so 28 bucks but i think it's worth the extra money. But that's only if you want the "pro" version, game maker has a free version that does everything you need, the pro version is just some icing on the cake. XNA is totally free too, and you seem to be able to make some pretty nifty stuff with that, if you learn C#. As for MMF, it sucks if you ask me, though still less limited than what Kodu seems to be.

In reply to

El perro, el perro es mi corazón
El gato, el gato, el gato es no bueno
Cilantro es cantante
Cilantro es muy famoso
Cilantro es el hombre con el queso del diablo!

Phaethon360

Since 6654 Days

So for $5, I can make my own Halo, or MGS, or Gears of War, or Ninja Gaiden :D!!!?

*Gets carried away*

In reply to

Don't you know who I am? I'm the goddamned Banman.

dcdelgado

Since 6668 Days

So did you manage to make anything cool, with GameMaker? do you need coding experience?

In reply to

** Yes We CAN!! **

Kaz Hirai - Sony

"We don't provide the 'easy to program for' console that [developers] want, because 'easy to program for' means that anybody will be able to take advantage of pretty much what the hardware can do" LOLOLOLOL!!

Megido

Since 6133 Days

dcdelgado: i've only made simple platformers and shooters with it myself but seeing some of the stuff available on the community has me convinced that you can make just about anything you want with GM. Well, within certain limitations ofc, it is in fact still a "maker" program. A basic understanding of coding certainly helps, but it's not mandatory at all. You can build games in two way in GM, either with something that looks a bit like what you see in Kodu where you have a drag and drop interface for making events, or you can script in GML which gives you a bit more control. It's pretty simple though and the community is pretty good so you should have no trouble getting started if you try it out.

In reply to

El perro, el perro es mi corazón
El gato, el gato, el gato es no bueno
Cilantro es cantante
Cilantro es muy famoso
Cilantro es el hombre con el queso del diablo!

dcdelgado

Since 6668 Days

cool, i'll look into it thanks.

In reply to

** Yes We CAN!! **

Kaz Hirai - Sony

"We don't provide the 'easy to program for' console that [developers] want, because 'easy to program for' means that anybody will be able to take advantage of pretty much what the hardware can do" LOLOLOLOL!!

FreeSwag

Since 6032 Days

Just showed up on Marketplace a couple hours ago. I was busy at the time, but I am downloading it now.

In reply to

"Blogging is like masturbating into a mirror while you videotape yourself, so you can watch it later, while you masturbate " - LEWIS BLACK (2008)

alimokrane

Since 6738 Days

Posted by FreeSwag

Just showed up on Marketplace a couple hours ago. I was busy at the time, but I am downloading it now.

What ? it's out already ???

In reply to

deftangel

Since 6676 Days

Guess it's passed peer review. I meant to check it out at that stage (I'm a creators club member) but never got round to it. They'll be a free demo but it's time limited to six minutes. Unless Microsoft are doing something different for this, they should, considering what it is.

In reply to

XBL/PSN: deftangel. Views are my own and not representative of my employers. Boulets aren't the end of the world, you will get over them! Reading and constructive discussion classes are available, enquire via PM

Megido

Since 6133 Days

But as i feared it's limited to the US.

In reply to

El perro, el perro es mi corazón
El gato, el gato, el gato es no bueno
Cilantro es cantante
Cilantro es muy famoso
Cilantro es el hombre con el queso del diablo!

alimokrane

Since 6738 Days

Posted by Megido

But as i feared it's limited to the US.

NOPE! Apprently it is available in europe :D :D

In reply to

Megido

Since 6133 Days

But i just checked the marketplace, it's not available :P

In reply to

El perro, el perro es mi corazón
El gato, el gato, el gato es no bueno
Cilantro es cantante
Cilantro es muy famoso
Cilantro es el hombre con el queso del diablo!

alimokrane

Since 6738 Days

Posted by Megido

But i just checked the marketplace, it's not available :P

What ?? I was told it was .................................

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