Game programming environment for kids
Brought by Microsoft, Kodu is a game utility that is designed especially for kids to effectively learn basic programming principles. This 3D game development platform enables the young creators to build the world's terrain filled with characters and props which you will then program its behaviors and games rules using a visual programming language.
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Users can freely download it on the Microsoft Store but, if you own an older version of Windows, you can download the desktop build that it provides on its developer's page. Bear in mind though that it requires Microsoft .NET Framework for this to successfully work.
What is the Kodu app?
Kodu is a Microsoft experiment that's still in development. This means that you should expect a few bugs and the odd crash, but other than that it's perfectly usable. Actually, what you'll find here is going to be radically different from any other coding editor. It's a kid-oriented programming environment that allows any users to build their own games, without writing a single line of code.
Moreover, it features an eye-catching design that makes it feel like a game by itself. It includes lessons and sample games to get you started and make things even easier. You'll find a handful of ready-made objects, characters, and obstacles, which you can arrange with a keyboard and mouse as well as program it with a special card system.
How does Kodu work?
Once you’ve launched the Kodu Game Lab, you’ll be greeted by an elegantly designed user interface with few options displayed. To start creating a game, just click the ‘New World’ button which will lead you to an interface that presents a single block of green terrain. The game development tools are displayed at the bottom of the screen while placed on the top-left corner are the controls.
If you wish to add characters and objects in your world, just hover your mouse and click on the ‘Object Tool’ button that's illustrated in a small robot head. Then, click on any empty part of the green terrain, it will prompt a pie menu. It'll then allow you to add objects like rock, apple, pipe, tree, underwater creatures as well as characters that users will be able to control.
Great to begin with
Kodu is an intuitive children-oriented game tool with which users can easily create their own videogames without any coding skills required. There are some obvious limitations to Kodu, as it's intended for kids with little or no experience in coding. Nevertheless, it's a fun and colorful way to get them started in the hobby of making video games.
