Jump to content

Kodu Game Lab

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

This is an old revision of this page, as edited by Nieske (talk | contribs) at 12:27, 18 February 2011 (added category: video game creation software). The present address (URL) is a permanent link to this revision, which may differ significantly from the current revision.

"Kodu" redirects here. For other uses, see Kodu (disambiguation).
Kodu
Developer(s)Microsoft Research
Initial releaseJune 30th 2009[1]
Written inXNA
Operating systemWindows
PlatformPC, Xbox 360
Typeprogramming environment
WebsiteKodu

Kodu, originally named Boku, is a programming integrated development environment (IDE) by Microsoft's FUSE Labs. It runs on Xbox 360 and Microsoft Windows XP, Vista and 7. It was released on the Xbox LIVE Marketplace on June 30, 2009[2]. A Windows version is also available to the general public for download Microsft's FUSE web portal.[3]

Overview

Kodu is a visual programming tool which builds on ideas begun with Logo in the 1960s and other current projects such as AgentSheets, Squeak and Alice. It is designed to be accessible by children and enjoyable by anyone.

Kodu is available to download as an Xbox 360 Indie Game. There is also a PC version in an open beta which is available to anyone at their website.

Kodu is different from those other projects in several key ways:

  • It avoids typing code by having users construct programs using visual elements via a game controller
  • Rather than a bitmapped or 2D display, programs are executed in a 3D simulation environment, similar to Alice

Kodu Game Lab has also been used as an educational learning tool in selected schools and learning centers,in Malaysia and Singapore.

Language design

Kodu's programming model is simplified and can be programmed using only a gaming controller. It dispenses with most "serious" programming conventions, including symbolic variables, branching, loops, number and string manipulation, subroutines, polymorphism, and so on.

This simplicity is achieved by situating the programming task in a largely complete simulation environment. The user programs the behaviors of characters in a 3d world, and programs are expressed in a high-level, sensory paradigm consisting of a rule-based system or language, based on conditions and actions.

The typical "hello world" of Kodu is:

see - fruit - move - towards

The grammar, as it were, of this expression is:

<condition> <action>

Where <condition> is:

<sensor> [<filter> ...]

And <action> is:

<verb> [<modifier> ...]

An illustrative variant of the above program is:

see - red - fruit - move - towards - quickly

Many different types of games can be made in Kodu, such as racing, strategy, RPGs, adventure, platform, puzzle, 1st person shooters, and others. Putting a game in First-person perspective is simply a matter of placing the eponymous action.

See also

References

  1. ^ http://catalog.xna.com/en-US/GameDetails.aspx?catalogEntryId=57f1e907-089a-4b5e-a4d4-4392385051f7&type=2
  2. ^ Xbox LIVE Marketplace
  3. ^ What is Kodu | Projects | Fuse Labs
Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Kodu_Game_Lab&oldid=414608562"