Kodu – An Alternative for Game Developers

For those that used to work with Popfly, Microsofts Game Lab “Kodu” (speak: Code-ooh) might be an adequate replacement. For the longest time it was only available for XBox 360, but since 2010 a PC-version exists as well. Simple but fun games are quickly created and without source code or compilers its a simple way to program games – no programming knowledge required. The way it works is fairly straightforward: Per mouse click you pick and place objects in your “world” and assign them properties and behaviors. “Kodu” provides you with the graphical development environment and in several tutorials your first steps are adequately explained. Additionally, some games that have been developed with “Kudo” are included in the “Kodu Game Lab” package which can be downloaded at fuse.microsoft.com/page/kodu.aspx. Of course, the source code is never more than the stroke of a key away if you want to make changes directly in the code.


In the meantime, the first projects have appeared that make creative use of Microsoft’s “Kudo”: Expressive Intelligence Studio recently presented their work on the Kodu AI Lab, which is an extension specifically designed for kids. The idea of a visual programming language instead of the source code illegible to the untrained eye is of course appealing to those who design tool especially for our offspring. The AI Lab extension needs more time but the idea of putting “artificial intelligence tools into the hands of children and allowing them to create games centered around characters and changing relationships” is powerful and has every potential to turn into a promising business idea for the 21st century. Its a good way to channel creative energies and set the young ones on the right track to successful careers. SantaCruz.com has more: news.santacruz.com/2011/06/29/the_game_of_life