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Project Spark is an evolution of Kodu's programming language
Microsoft Studios manager Michael Saxs Persson tells Joystiq that Project Spark is a natural evolution of the programming language found in Kodu Game Lab, the game building software released on Xbox 360 and PC in 2009. "The project architect from Kodu is working on the language for this game," Persson added. Persson says that Project Spark isn't the same in terms of the game designing elements, but the language used to aid players program how objects in Spark is the natural progression of the same features found in Kodu. Programming in Spark takes the "If This, Then That" approach, telling objects when and how to react to different situations. In a demo presentation behind closed doors, Persson showcased how layered those decisions could be. Spark has a host of other features, including a decision tree-type system that allows creators to answer a handful of questions to build quests and missions. Once their "story" has been developed, it can be shared to other players who can play through the created experience or edit it for their own tales. Spark also allows players to create a variety of different kinds of games, much in the same way that players could use the tools available in LittleBigPlanet 2 to develop shooters. Examples shown were a Pilotwings-style game created by the developers, as well as a working synthesizer with on/off switches, programmed background beats and a record and playback option. Though not shown, one gametype that sounded especially devious was a "Bad Advice Blackjack" game, where a Goblin would troll the player during card games, offering bad advice and telling them how bad they were. Project Spark is a launch window game for the Xbox One. A beta is planned for later this year on Windows 8.
Microsoft's Kodu challenge invites the younger generation to design games
As part of its encouraging Imagine Cup, Microsoft is giving young ones that are aged between 9 and 18 the chance to enter a game design challenge dubbed Kodu. With a renowned Xbox controller being used as the main interface, Kodu will allow kids and teens to create games on a PC or Xbox "via a simple visual programming language" -- which allows them to virtually layout anything from sculpted landscapes and decorated trees, to creating their own scoring system, gameplay and, of course, characters. The Imagine Cup Kodu Challenge, as it's more formally known, is now open and will remain this way until May 17th, with the eventual winners set to be awarded up to $3,000. Finalists in other Imagine Cup categories, meanwhile, will nab a trip to the event in St. Petersburg, Russia, where they could end up taking home a range of prizes, including cash, grants and other goodies -- but, perhaps most importantly, also the utmost respect of all other challengers present.
Get your Kinect to Mars [update: Kodu experience on PC only]
If you want to experience what it's like being on Mars with NASA's Mars Rover, but don't want to die from the incredibly toxic atmosphere – and who wants to go through the hassle of traveling to Mars just for a gruesome death? – fire up your Xbox today.A free Mars Rover Landing app on the Xbox Marketplace lets you use your body to guide the Curiosity rover to a safe landing, just like NASA would do if it didn't have specially designed equipment for more precise control of the device. There's also a Mars-focused experience in the Xbox PC version of the programming education app, Kodu.Additionally, the new Unity app, Curiosity's Journey, lets you explore a 3D map of Mars' Gale Crater, following along with Curiosity's mission. Thanks for still being awesome, NASA.Update: Microsoft contacted us to let us know that the new Mars material is only on the PC edition of Kodu, not the Xbox version. The Mars rover character is the first new character since launch, accompanied by three linear levels and several open levels, based on real Mars data.
Microsoft holds Kodu game design competition for kiddos
Microsoft released the full version of game creation utility Kodu Game Lab on PC today, and to celebrate the release of the free software suite, it's hosting a game design competition. Slow down, David Crane -- it's for kids. The Kodu Cup 2011 is a competition for students aged 9-17 (divided up into two age groups), in which kids use the software to design their own game, for submission by May 10. Prizes include $5,000 awards for both individuals and schools, along a trip to NYC, laptops, Kinect bundles, and a Zune HD out of the warehouse.
Kodu 'Technical Preview' available as free PC download
Microsoft's experiment in casual game creation, Kodu, is now available in preview form online. PC gamers can download the "Technical Preview" version of the game right here, which features a revamped UI sporting mouse and keyboard controls. Microsoft also added other tweaks, enhancing the "move" verb (allowing for scripted camera movements), "streamlined terrain editing tools" and characters that can respond to mouse and keyboard events. If you're a PC gamer wondering what all of the fuss is about, we suggest you check out our video walkthrough. Oh, and do let us know if you come up with any Joystiq-inspired games! [Via Big Download]
Celebrate July 4th with adorable Kodu fireworks
Today is the day of independence for Joystiq readers in the United States, which also means it's a day full of aerial explosions of light. You know, fireworks. For those not lucky enough to be in an area where one can witness this colorful spectacle, we figured we'd bring the explosive excitement to the internet, for all to share, with the help of the recently released Community Game, Kodu.Enjoy the show and have a boom-tastic July 4th!
Video Tour: Kodu, Microsoft's DIY game builder
Microsoft released its Kodu Game Lab yesterday, giving gamers everywhere the opportunity to create their very own games. Just for you, we snapped up the tool and set to work creating the Next BIg Thing in video gaming. Well, either that or we created a dinky little 2D shooter. Still, it's hard not to feel some pride after creating a real, honest-to-goodness, functioning game. And we did it all without laying a finger on a standard keyboard.Check out our video tour and see what created.Add the trial version of Kodu Game Lab to your Xbox 360 download queue
PSA: Kodu Game Lab is now live
Just a quick reminder from your friends at Joystiq, if you wanted to try your hand at the totally cool visual game programming of Kodu Game Lab, the title is now available on the Xbox Live Marketplace (though you'll have to navigate over to the Community Games section to find it).For just 400 MS points ($5) you can build your very own game from the ground up, all the while being reminded that no matter how hard you work at it, Sparrow still owns you. If you manage to make anything cool (though admittedly never as cool as what Sparrow makes) let us know in the comments below.
Kodu gets creative on Xbox 360 June 30 [update]
Update: Microsoft got back to us with the following: "We are going through the same peer-review process that every other developer has to go through, so there isn't any way to determine when the game will actually post, but we hope that it will be somewhere near or on June 30." So, everyone is trying their best to make sure Kodu makes the June 30 release, but don't consider that date chiseled in stone.When the official Kodu blog mentioned that the title would be available this month, it apparently wasn't lying. Xboxic is reporting the game will be available for download on the last day of this month, June 30, for a reasonable 400. Oh, and if you're scratching your head due to Microsoft's penchant for Humpday releases, remember this is an Xbox 360 Community Game Indie Game, and not an Arcade release. For clarification's sake, we've put in word to Microsoft to confirm and will be sure to get back to you with what we find.
Kodu to infiltrate Xbox 360, your imagination this month
We haven't had anything related to Kodu (not to be confused with Kudo) to excite us since early January, but, thankfully, we now know that this month is bringing us more than ridiculously hot weather. Courtesy of the Kodu dev blog, we know that the game will release sometime in June, however an exact date is something that needs to be ironed out. If you're finding your memory of Kodu is a bit fuzzy, then refresh it with this video of Microsoft flagrantly ignoring child labor laws.[Via Edge]
CES 09: Is Kodu really that simple? Answer: Yes!
Our homies over at Joystiq got a chance to sit in on a demo of Microsoft's recently announced and supposedly user friendly Community Game Kodu and were able to answer the still lingering question that's on everyone's mind: Is Kodu really that easy to use? Quick answer, yes ... yes it is.According to Microsoft's Matthew MacLaurin, Kodu was created with kids in mind and describes the game as "programming as a fourth-grade art class." And Joystiq's Justin McElroy agrees that it really is basic and well, simple. Check out the informative (and totally factual) Kodu bullet points listed below: Will ship with 20 different objects/characters. 20 pre-built (and editable) levels will be included. Commands given to objects are called "Pages". Kodu has been tested with kids for over a year. Releasing this Spring for a yet to be disclosed price.
CES 2009: A closer look at Kodu
We don't know about you, but we weren't quite sure what to make of junior game creation platform Kodu when Microsoft showed it off at its CES keynote. Sure, it looked interesting, but scary smart 12-year-old demonstrator Sparrow was so adept at building levels with the software, we couldn't tell if it was as easy as Microsoft was making it out to be.The answer, judging from the brief demonstration we saw today, is a tentative "Yes."%Gallery-41406%
Video: Girl builds game with Kodu, beats Robbie Bach at it
During Microsoft's CES keynote presentation, Robbie Bach showed off Kodu, Microsoft's new game building ... game. Actually, to be more precise, it was shown off by Sparrow, an "actual 12 year old girl" who demonstrated her own gaming creation in which she and Bach raced each other to place rocks into a house. We don't really understand it either, but the point is she made the game herself and was even able to make quick changes to it right on stage. Don't take our word for it though, because you can watch it happen yourself. Check out a video of Sparrow's creation after the break.
Kodu is the new Boku: Xbox Live's 'LittleBigPlanet'
Microsoft pulled no punches during its CES keynote, shuffling an "actual 12-year-old girl" onstage to demonstrate its newly renamed Xbox Live Community Game "Kodu." Apparently too reminiscent of the failed 80s-era adult juice, the former name, Boku, was dropped in favor of the less associable two-syllabler. But we digress. Kodu is still easily described as a LittleBigPlanet-esque effort, but on a much simpler scale -- and probably far less "brilliant," in the Brits' all-purpose sense of the word.Sparrow, that 12-year-old we mentioned, apparently did create a "pretty impressive" game using Kodu, described by Engadget as, "Katamari meets light-cycles from Tron. It's totally bizarre -- now her and Robbie [Bach] are using cycles to steal rocks from each other." Actually, sounds brilliant to us.Kodu was originally designed as a learning tool for kids, but Microsoft promises it's compatible with people ages "seven to 70." Players reportedly create their game worlds in mere minutes using a pool of 200 building blocks designed to drive simple gameplay concepts like vision, hearing and time. Kodu is scheduled for release this spring and has yet to be priced.Update: Video after the break, and more details here. [Thanks EvilDud!]
CES 09: Game making made easy with Kodu
On stage, during this year's CES keynote, Microsoft' Robbie Bach announced the new game building playground that's coming to the Community Games channel later this year. It's called Kodu (formerly known as Boku) and allows anyone to pick up a 360 controller and build their own game. It's sorta like Little Big Planet, but more open, free and targeted towards all age groups. With a simplified control scheme, over 200 building block options and possibilities galore, Kodu is an interesting lil project. Though, from Bach's Kodu on-stage demo, we were quickly overwhelmed by the amount of menu navigation that was going on. It's supposed to be intuitive, but to us, it seems a bit overwhelming. We'll see.
