Kodu Game Lab is a visual programming language for creating games. It uses an icon-based interface where programming is expressed through physical concepts like seeing and hearing. The tool is designed to be intuitive for developing games and teaches problem-solving, collaboration, and positive attitudes towards computer programming. Resources for Kodu include tutorials, classroom kits, and an online community for sharing games.

2. Kodu Game Lab
Ed Donahue
Technical Evangelist, Microsoft
ed.donahue@micrososft.com
@creepyed | creepyed.com

3. Ed Donahue
Salsa dancer
Light jogger
Casual cyclist
Swimmer
Triathlete (for those
counting)
Computer science major
Lover of monospaced
fonts
Supporter of women
in tech
Microsoft Academic
Developer Evangelist
3
ed.donahue@microsoft.com | www.creepyed.com | @creepyed

4. Kodu Game Lab
 Create games with a simple visual
programming language
 Entirely icon-based
 Designed for game development
 Programs are expressed in physical terms
like seeing, hearing and timers
 Advanced game design concepts are
expressed in a simple, direct and intuitive
manner

5. More than Programming
 Improve problem-solving skills
 Producers of media rather than just
consumers
 Rich tool for narrative creation and
storytelling
 Implicitly practice math through branching
and scoring
 Develop more positive attitudes towards
computer programming
 Collaboratively work to create innovative
solutions

6. How it Works
 Worlds
 Create your own or build on an
existing world
 Programs
 Pages
 Rules
 Conditions and actions

7. Resources
 Get Kodu: http://aka.ms/kodu
 Tutorial videos
 Kodu classroom kit for educators
 Getting Started with Kodu (keyboard and
controller)
 Single session introduction
 Kodu Curriculum (keyboard and controller)
 Kodu Math Module
 Community at KoduGameLab.com, on
Twitter, @koduteam and Facebook

8. ...in other news
 TouchDevelop: program apps on your phone
 Partners in Learning:
http://teachtec.cloudapp.net
 Windows 8!
 30 to Launch: Build your app in 30 days with
tips and tricks for Windows 8 development
delivered to your inbox
 http://aka.ms/EdWin8
 Windows 8 DevCamp and Hackathon
 Aug 17th and 18th, Reston, VA.
http://bit.ly/OPWNvr