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Education GET! Kodu makes it to PC in beta form photo

Microsoft Research's gateway to XNA programming for kids and those of us with child-like minds, Kodu Game Lab, has been available on Xbox 360 as an Indie Game for some time now. Either I'm actively not looking, or there haven't been a lot of success stories so far; it's almost certainly the former.

But I can't help but feel like much of this "silence" is due to Kodu not being accessible to a good portion of its intended audience. Y'know, schools and the like. Perhaps this is all about to change, now that the tool is being brought to PC -- while only in beta right now, it's still progress.

Some new tweaks have been made to this version of Kodu, but more importantly, it's now significantly easier to obtain. As awesome as having an Xbox 360 in every classroom would be, it's never going to happen. PCs, though? Now we're talking reality.

Game creation tool Kodu comes to the PC as a beta [Ars Technica]








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8 comments | showing # 1 to 8
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AlLeBlanc's Avatar - Comment posted on 01/13/2010 13:34
AlLeBlanc
I thought I'd give it a try, but it's for schools only... bummer
Mr Andy Dixon's Avatar - Comment posted on 01/13/2010 13:48
Mr Andy Dixon
I played around with it when it first came out, but I eventually gave up on it for the same reason I did LBP: I'm not creative.
BJ Blazkowicz's Avatar - Comment posted on 01/13/2010 14:15
BJ Blazkowicz
It's also not available in most parts of the world.
njsykora's Avatar - Comment posted on 01/13/2010 14:21
njsykora
I got it for the 360, the interface is insanely easy to put stuff together with but anything you create can only be played inside Kodu. That explains why we haven't seen success stories from it. It's more for teaching the principles of coding and games rather than actually making something that can stand on its own.
Nolan South's Avatar - Comment posted on 01/13/2010 14:35
Nolan South
I actually got this on Xbox Live when it came out, and it's AWESOME
Br0th3rGr1mm's Avatar - Comment posted on 01/13/2010 15:05
Br0th3rGr1mm
This is a very valid tool to teach ANYONE basic object oriented programming concepts (ok, VERY basic). It would certainly show someone if they enjoy or have any apptitude for programming in general. The fact that it can make basic playable games is just the best reason out there to try you hand at doing so.
Br0th3rGr1mm's Avatar - Comment posted on 01/13/2010 15:07
Br0th3rGr1mm
BTW, anthing you build CAN be made stand alone if you have the XNA tools, but they are a bit pricey outside of the Dreamspark program.
Holyetheline's Avatar - Comment posted on 01/15/2010 09:50
Holyetheline
I've had a good time with Kodu before. Got it on the Indie Games channel... I don't use it much anymore.
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