3 Kodu

KODU Visual game programming
Lynn Langit – Developer EvangelistMicrosoft

Visual Programming
Is Engaging
Is Intuitive
Is Fun
Encourages Exploration
Needs no manual
Needs minimal instructions
Introduces formal programming
Objects
Properties
Methods

The Controller

On controller, wiggly sticks (left & right sticks) for navigation (or circle-cross button)
Edit feature explains buttons A, B, X,Y
L &R buttons that do not stick up for zooming in or out
L&R buttons that stick up explained in Edit function

Playing a game
Start by playing a sample game
Opening Kodu screen
Move from option to option by pressing the circle with the cross on your Xbox 360 game controller.
To select an option, press the A button
Later you can customize any sample game

More ABOUT Playing a game
Select the game you want to play (scroll) + pick (Press X)
Press A to start game play
Game play directions will be shown on opening game screen

Demo
Play a game

Editing the world
To edit, press Back
Go to the edit selection
Chose what you want to add
Instructions will be in top left corner
Only objects can be programmed in Kodu.
You can change the terrain as well
Add water
Add hills or valleys
Change texture
Change color (background and lighting)

Editing screen

demo
Edit the world

ADDING an object
To edit press Back
Use left wiggly stick to position cursor (white circle) to location
Press A to open the object menu
Select object or object groups and then press A

change AN OBJECT
Focus on object (place cursor on it)
Make changes
Objects are characters or plants

Editing objects
Change color
Clone
Add music
Position
Add activities (i.e. program)

demo
Add and edit objects

Programming – when/do
Press Back
Select the object, Y to program
Left stick on When+, to select When action use A

programming rows
Y to insert more Rows
All Rows run simultaneously
Can have multiple pages
Can program gamepad buttons
Can program multiple gamepads (multi-player games)

Actions available
Move
Kick
Score Points
Add Music
Eat
Switch
Swear
More…

demo
Programming When / Do Actions for Objects

Advanced settings
Rate of kicking acceleration, Lighting, Volume, Breeze speed…

Saving your game
Back button to Back Menu, then ‘Save my world’
If using Xbox 360, then games can be saved and shared

How to find out more
At Microsoft Research Site - here

Get Microsoft Software for FREE
For high school and college students - DreamSpark
For startup businesses - BizSpark
For everyone - Express editions – VS and SQL - here