Published 22 października 2012 | 
Kodu, you may remember, is the game programming tool shown at CES by “actual 12-year-old girl,” Sparrow. It was cartoony and cute and bright, and many people wrote it off instantly: “LBP rip-off!”, “Stupid rock-carrying game?!”, and so on. I really wanted to try it out, and now, apparently, it’s out. I say apparently because it’s gotten almost no press, and the only way I found out was by randomly browsing the Community Games channel and seeing it there. (Okay, Joystiq and other sites did post about it, but I had relatives over for the past two weeks so maybe I just missed it.) Still, after the CES demo I thought its release would be a much bigger event, and it would show up somewhere on the Xbox dashboard (Spotlight). It’s too bad it wasn’t released on XBLA rather than the CG channel, the place where no one dares tread.
Anyway, I’ve been playing around with it for the past few days, and it’s great! You really can create all sorts of games, from FPSs, to side-scrollers, to racing games. The interface is very well designed, for the most part, using nested pie menus for all of the actions/objects. There are lots of different lighting options and ground materials to help change the look of your games, so don’t think everything created has to be blue-skies-and-rainbows. The programming is easy, but surprisingly deep if you learn how everything works. Because it was initially designed for kids, it’s also very fast. You can go from editing your level to playing it in under a second.
I was programming a dual-stick shooter for a video I hope to put up, and my roommate started watching. “What happens when you run into the UFOs?” he asked.
“They blow up and damage your ship.”
“Is that what always happens?”
“Well no, that’s what I made them do. I can program it to do whatever. I can make them…turn into apples, if I wanted to.”
“Do it!” Literally twenty seconds later I had it working that way, just for fun. The Kode (yes, I just called it that):
WHEN bump puck DO vanish me
WHEN bump puck DO create apple
Crazy how simple it can be, isn’t it?
There are definitely limitations though. One of my biggest complaints is that not every object has every option available to it — you can create a tree that shoots missiles, but a soccer ball can’t follow a path the way lights and bots can. I was hoping each object would simply look different, and have sliders set differently (bounciness, speed, etc.), but could be programmed however you want. If you like how one vehicle controls, but wished you could use a different 3D model, you’re out of luck. But this is where extreme creativity shines. With these limitations, how far can you take it? Some game types seem impossible, but someone will figure out how to make it work. Kodu comes with a bunch of samples and prebuilt games, so you can learn how the more advanced games are programmed (they’re all editable). Be sure to check out “gawlf” to see how they brilliantly used the health bar to act as your swing power meter.
Did I mention it’s only five dollars, which is a steal? I easily would have paid $20, and with a more robust system it could have been a retail game. I should mention that Kodu does a pretty poor job at introducing you to the game. They desperately need a “play tutorials” button on the main menu, with a list of tutorials that get checked off as you go along, each one with a hint system (where’s Clippy when you need him?*). There are just three tutorials that come with Kodu, mixed in with the other games, and they don’t actually explain anything. I guess they thought it was so well designed it didn’t need any explanation. So I recommend watching some video tutorials (online — none are included) first to get an idea of it before you jump in (I hope to have some tutorials up in the near future).
You won’t be able to make the next Gears of War, and you won’t even be able to make exactly the arcade game you had in mind, but new ideas will appear, and you’ll have fun doing it. If you have kids, buy Kodu. Even if they can’t use it on their own, you can create things with them. If you’ve ever had a game idea of your own, buy Kodu. It’s designed to get you thinking like a programmer, and it succeeds.
Other Notes:
Right now game sharing sucks — you have to be friends with the person, and both be running Kodu at the same time. They are working on a patch though, which will add three dedicated servers! There’s also a bug where levels seem to get deleted — if it happens, restart Kodu and it might fix it (more info here). The patch will also fix this and other issues.
The patch is out! Delete Kodu and re-download if you don’t have it (there’s no “update” function).
Links:
Kodu fan forum
Audio interview with Matt MacLaurin — back when it was called Boku.
The Kodu Blog
* Please don’t include Clippy. In anything. Ever.
No related posts.
Tags: kodu
This entry was posted on Thursday, July 23rd, 2009 at 5:34 pm and is filed under Articles and Rants, Reviews. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.
I’m looking for some good games or programs that I could purchase on a disk and download on my desktop so that my 11 year old girl can play and learn at the same time. I’m especially looking for games that will enhance her math skills, but would also like to find something for spelling and grammar, and history as well. Do you know of any such games? I want it to be a lot of fun so that she just thinks she’s playing and having fun, but really she’s learning in the process. Thanks!
I currently am on XP Professional and I want to do a clean install for Vista. I want to keep all the games and programs I already have on my XP computer, what’s the best program that can backup all this and burn it on dvds?
what software would i use to get started in game programming?
any tutorials?
I have heard of python and matlab.
What tools are needed to create a 3D game from start to finish? like model builder, and so on?
Also, is there any free versions out there of each, and are they compatible with each other?
Yes, I have sandbox and blender and tons of others: what I need to know isn’t brand names but tool names, like blender is a model editor, I was asking to find out the tools and if anyone knew a list of free or cheap tools that worked with one another.
Thank you, Matthew N, that gives me a clearer idea of what is needed.
however, I must ask as I gathered, don’t you have to have a 3D compressor or something like that too?
which should i choose? Gina Maro? Gina Rali? Gina Kodu, Gina Peri or Gina Goma? please tell me which „gina” version is the most convincing: gina maro, rali, etc. plz tell me if any of the last names are all right, if they’re all wrong, or if a bit of them is right.
from what i’ve been told, female greek last names end with vowels: „A,” „e,” „i,” „o,” „u.” and male greek last names end with the consonant „s.” male first names ending with male last names would be like, „savas vlavianos,” „harris darsinos,” „theodoros angelopoulos.” female 1st name/female last name would be, „eleni ourani,” „maria polydouri,” „aleka papariga.”
but there are greek-american female last names that end in „s” sometimes – like jennifer annistakis or like jane assimakopoulos.
so which should i choose?? „maro,” rali,” „kodu,” „peri” or „goma.” it must be a greek female last name of four letters, not 5, not 3.
For me, during the game some guy was singing „Friday” by Rebecca black, then the everyone started to sing it, including me
it was about 32 people in the game homefront! It was fun tho…..well I guess thats not really weird, but funny….maybe a bit weird.
So I have to come up with an idea for a game on kodu and make the actual game by tommorow. I am totally stuck!! It has to be an idea that can be done quickly, not too complicated programming!! Anybody have any ideas??? Would be greatly apprectiated
i need a website or downloadable software that i can use. im creating my own video game but i cant find any sites to create graphics, and characters. so please inform me.
vettaikaran song joke:
Machan Nee Kaelaen! Dai Thambi Nee Kaelaen! Anna Nee Kaelaen! Akka Nee Kaelaen! Vettaikaran Song Release Aagi 4 Naal Aachu,Yaravadhu Vaangi kelunkappa!
„Andru ramar VILLU eduthar ravanannai kolvatharkaga indru vijay VILLU eduthuirukar 6kodi tamilarkalai kolvatharkaga”.
„KURUVIum” sethu pochu. Vitta „VILLUm” odinju pochu. Apuram „VETTAIKARAN” vanthu enna Panna poran… Enna kodumai sir idhu!!:…
Man1: Enna intha theatrela ivlo koottam?
Man2: Evano VILLU padam paakka ticket reserve panniyirukkanaam! Avana paakkathan
aarya’s movie oram po:
AARYA”S NEXT 10 FILMS
1.oram po
2.rightla po
3.leftla po
4.neraa po
5.paathu po
6.paranthu po
7.nalla po
8.backla po
9.odi po
10.naasama po.
pathiban joke:
Bakery shop: Paarthiban; Unga kadaila ella bannum kidaikkuma? vadivel: Amaa…
Paarthiban: ok 1kg ribbon 1kg carbon kodu…
„NADIPUNNA ENNA” endru nadigargalidam ketta podhu..
kamal – adhu en innoru uyir..
rajini- adhuthan en vazhkai..
Ajit – adhuthan en swasam..
Vikram- adhu en idhayam..
vijay – appadinna enna „ETHAVATHU RAJINI PADAMA? SOLLUNGA REMAKE PANNIDALAM”..
Vadivel: Rajiniyoda ‚Sivaji’ Padam Paathiyaa?
Parthiban: Rajiniyoda Paakkala, Thaniyaathaan Paathen.
Vadivel: Mudiyalappaa… Mudiyalai…
Smile is a language of love,
Smile is a source to win hearts,
Smile is a name of livelihood &
Smile creates greatness in personality.
So always Keep smiling.
This song started with RUDHRAKUMARANNA SARANE KUNDHANE MAADI VIDHYABI MANI IVANU. PADMA PADHAGALIGE ERAGI NAA BEDUVE SUDHAVAGI KODU MADHIYA.
SHRAVANA MAASA SUKHRA VARA SUBHA DHINA KALADHI KAMALAKSHIYARU ALAYA VOLAGINTHA BIDADHINTHE POOJISI BEDIDE NISRATHA NIDALU.
IRUTHILONTHU PATTANATHALLI RAJAGA THANIYARILLADHE KARANADHI—THE STORY STARTED LIKE THIS . ONE KING HAS NO CHILDREN. SO HE PLANNED TO GET 2ND MARRIAGE. BECAUSE OF THAT HE WENT TO SEE THE BRIDE. BUT HE LEFT HIS SWORD AT PALACE, HE SENT HIS SENAPATHI TO BRING. AT THAT TIME HIS QUEEN TOLD THAT SHE IS CARRYING. AND THE KING RERURN BACK. IN THE MEANWHILE THE QUEEN ASK THE LADY WHO LOOKING DELIVERIES AND ORDERED TO BRING ANY CHILD AND ACT AS PREGNANT LADY. THE TIME CAME SHE BROUHT A BRAHIMN’ S HOUSE WHO HAD DELIEVERD A MALE BABY TAKEN WITH HER AND GIVEN TO QUEEN AND TOLD TO THIS LADY SHE DELIVERED ONLY SOMEHTING DIFFERED.—THE BOY GROWN AND FOUND THE TRUTH AND SAW HIS OWN PARENT WITH THE POOJA’S HELP.
PLEASE GET ME.
Anyone have any suggestions?
im writing a letter to turkey but i dont know how to set out the address correctly. could someone help me please thanks.
no silly answers either
Which game engine should I use to make a FPS I have in mind. I have already tried:
Unity
UDK
Source
I partially know these programming languages:
Java
C++
C#
BASIC
Does anyone know a different engine to make 3D games thats very visual? Like Kodu or Alice, but a lot more advanced? I can model, UV Map, and make sprites. Im fine with an engine to make doom/duke nukem/quake 2.5D games. Nothing fancy. Any ideas?
I read about „Kodu” in popular science. It sayss how to get it on Xbox, but I want it on my computer, HOW?
In proper old TAMIL language, ” Avanukku Laddu kodu ” sentence is used with meaning as „Give him Laddu”
In local HINDI(proper west UP)dialect, ” Va ku Laddo do ” sentence is used with meaning as ” Give him laddu „.
Here STRUCTURE of SENTENCE is exactly SAME in both Tamil & Hindi.
So , ” AVAN(he) KKU(to) LADDU(laddu) KODU(give) ” or „VA(he) KU(to) LADDU(laddu) DO(give)” means „Give him Laddu”" in both Tamil & Hindi.
.
**************************************…
From same common primitive Indian language, both north Indian and south Indian languages came into existence. Sanskrit(classical language) also derived from same common source.
**************************************…
The group of INDO EUROPEAN LANGUAGES is a MYTH & blatant lie!!
Yes, it is a big fallacy, myth and forged theory. It is blatant lie.
**************************************…
Hindi is very close to Tamil. It is quite different from Persian and other European languages.
I will say as follows:
„”Hindi & Tamil are similar languages and belong to one group”". They may appear to be quite different but they are offshoots of same language”.
Most of North Indians & South Indians look alike despite a few exceptions. Europeans, Chinese, africans look entirely different from this similar looking stock of INDIANs(north&south).
If we need to say „”Give Laddu to Ram”".
we will say in HINDI(west UP) dialect as :
„”RAM KU LADDU DO”"
we will say in TAMIL as follows:
„”RAMUKKU LADDU KODU”".
http://in.answers.yahoo.com/question/index;_ylt=AsjQF8qIOG6GCrGmtD6tp1uRHQx.;_ylv=3?qid=20111227045013AAtoVVl
http://in.answers.yahoo.com/question/index;_ylt=AgqpYJ65k.9Nl5rFspHQZJOQHQx.;_ylv=3?qid=20111231205656AALBv2a
@ Ramsubram A,
Dont U know that local dialect of UP dont pronounce sound of „SH” & many more sounds. . They say Kisan instead of Krishna. They say Siv instead of Shiv. They say Lachhami instead of Lakshmai. Present popular standard Hindi is recent artificial development .They are giving up local tone & terms. Instead they are Sanskritising Hindi.
i have to make agame,i like it!But i dont know that much of coding.
ive tried-
rpg vx ace
kodu
platinum arts sandbox
pls dont be precise and tell in a bit of detail
I was looking forward to using kodu game lab. I know we can create games on windows and play on xbox 360 but can we simply make and even play on the same PC.
And is kodu worth learning?
All answers are welcomed.
class is current_page_item
i need to set it that if i go to page mywebsite.com/index.php?action=kodu
the class will be set to current_page_item, if i leave that site to another site, it will go to there.
Kodu
Mängust
Registreeri
If I need to say „”Give bread to Ram”".
Can I say as follows:
Ramai rotti kodu.
Or
Ramakku rotti kodu.
Whether both are correct ???
Should i learn c++ or c# ? what do they use for xbox 360 games?
I have always wanted to create a video game that was mainly based on the PC, I want it to kind of like a free-world game. But I want a certain objective to it. PLEASE HELP
I want to start learning to develop in Windows (I’m coming from Java) and I do not know what software to download. I’m a student so I’m getting the software free from https://www.dreamspark.com/ (very nice of microsoft to do that). However there is a very long list of software and I don’t know what I need. there are different categories as well. I decided that I don’t need any of the server software, or the virtualPC (my computers kinda low-end) I am downloading Expression Studio right now but I’m not sure if I need it since I have photoshop. There are many applications under development tools and I’m not sure what I need and what I don’t
Here is a list:
VisualStudio2010 profetional
SmallBasic
Kodu Game Lab
VisualStudio2010 Express
VisualStudio2008 Profetional
XNA Game Studio
Robotics Developer Studio 2008 RC3
Windows MultiPoint Mouse SDK
Windows Embedded Standard 7
Windows Embedded CE 6.0
Visual Basic 2008
Visual C# 2008
Visual C++ 2008
Visual Web Developer 2008
—————————————————-
what I’m pretty sure I don’t need:
Windows Phone (I’m on Android)
Visual Studios ( I only need 1 of them. I might go with express, is professional that much better?)
XNA Game Studio (I won’t be doing Xbox or Zune Development)
Robotics Developer Studio (If only I had a Use for this!)
MultiPoint Mouse (Seems kinda cool though)
Windows Embeded
Visual Web Developer (I have DreamWeaver)
Also: I’m kinda confused about the visual basic/C#/C++. I guess I should get all 3 but which language should I focus on?
any help would be greatly appreciated. It’s for a friend of mine.
Kodu ki khobor? mush thaka te j tomake koto miss korsi ok jigesh korte! tomar kotha bolte bolte amra kan jhala pala kore felsi or, he also jhalapala field amader kaan! miss you kodu! exams start this March ashba london e?
In proper old TAMIL language, ” Avanukku Laddu kodu ” sentence is used with meaning as „Give him Laddu”
In local HINDI(proper west UP)dialect, ” Va ku Laddo do ” sentence is used with meaning as ” Give him laddu „.
Here STRUCTURE of SENTENCE is exactly SAME in both Tamil & Hindi.
So , ” AVAN(he) KKU(to) LADDU(laddu) KODU(give) ” or „VA(he) KU(to) LADDU(laddu) DO(give)” means „Give him Laddu”" in both Tamil & Hindi.
Similarly If we need to say „”Give Laddu to Ram”".
we will say in HINDI(west UP) dialect as :
„”RAM KU LADDU DO”"
we will say in TAMIL as follows:
„”RAMUKKU LADDU KODU”".
.
**************************************…
From same common primitive Indian language, both north Indian and south Indian languages came into existence. Sanskrit(classical language) also derived from same common source.
**************************************…
The group of INDO EUROPEAN LANGUAGES is a MYTH & blatant lie!!
Yes, it is a big fallacy, myth and forged theory. It is blatant lie.
**************************************…
Hindi is very close to Tamil. It is quite different from Persian and other European languages.
I will say as follows:
„”Hindi & Tamil are similar languages and belong to one group”". They may appear to be quite different but they are offshoots of same language”.
Most of North Indians & South Indians look alike despite a few exceptions. Europeans, Chinese, africans look entirely different from this similar looking stock of INDIANs(north&south).
I have windows 8 laptop with kodu & minecraft so I was wonder if I could connect my controller to my laptop WITHOUT AN ADAPTER . it has a thew xbox games on also which I want to play
I FORGOT IT’S A WIRELESS CONTROLLER
I like games like Banjo Kazooie: Nuts and Bolts and stuff like that. I most of the popular games out, but my brother plays them and I like cartoony styled games. I also like platfomers, but it doesn’t have to be a platformer. I’m mostly looking just for cartoony games.
I already know how to use kodu, scratch, and similar stuff like it but I don’t know how to program a software or what I like use and such. Is there a step by step guide for beginners.
Is there like any software I can download to help me learn it.
- I tried books but they are extremely confusing.
I saw on a video, in ps2 there is a RPG maker game, that looks cool but are there any programs that lets players easily create games? I have Xbox 360 and i’m gonna try Kodu but it looks like its for kids. Is there any game making tools in Xbox 360 or on PC?
Tanistigimiza memnun oldum! arada sirada ablam hakkinda dedi kodu yapariz
i just installed kodu game lab and when i try to open it,it says „kodu game lab has stoped working” and when i try to open configure codu game lab it says „could not load file or assembly’0 bytes loaded from system,version=2.0.0.0,culture=neutral,publickeytoken=b77a5c561934e089′ or one of its dependencies,an attempt was made to load a program with an incorrect format.bad IL format” i’ll give 25 points to who helps me fix it