Kodu game creator hitting Xbox 360 at the end of June for just $5
The idea of user-generated game content has been with us for a while, PC mods being the prime example. But last year, with the release of LittleBigPlanet, the concept arrived on consoles and in a big way. Now, Microsoft is preparing to up the stakes again with its Kodu game creator. Which is being released on June 30.
We first took a look at Kodu (named Boku at the time) back in November 2008. The game creation tool has been in development since 2007 and is finally ready to be unleashed on to the general public. A PC version of the game has already been released to after-school computer clubs in the United States and received a very positive response.
Brier Dudley at The Seattle Times revealed the game (or game creator if you prefer) is to be released on June 30, 2009 as a download from the Xbox Live Community Games channel. Brilliantly, it’s only going to cost a paltry $5 or 400 MS Points. Which is cheap enough to surely tempt anyone into giving it a go. This is nothing more than a token price to justify development costs, with Microsoft obviously keen on as many people using Kodu as possible.
Kodu is an easy-to-use set of game creation tools that lets anyone with an Xbox 360 become a games designer. By following the on-screen prompts and menu system, even young kids should be able to create all manner of different types of game. Although from what I’ve seen, they all look a little generic and samey to me. I don’t think anything that unique will be designed.
No matter, Kodu is still shaping up to be a lot of fun for those of us who don’t necessarily want to have all our gaming pleasures handed to us on a plate. But even those who do still have reason to buy Kodu, as there is the option to play other people’s creations rather than create them for yourself. Just for lazy souls.
Kodu has a serious side as it could get even the youngest children interested in how video games work and are created. So expect a flood of new game designers and developers to emerge in a decade or so. And if their work has a distinctly generic flavor to it, then blame Microsoft rather than me.
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38 Responses to “Kodu game creator hitting Xbox 360 at the end of June for just $5”
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June 25th, 2009
Hey 400 points?? Why the hell not? It looks like a bit of fun.
June 25th, 2009
Dave, your last line put a smile on my face “And if their work has a distinctly generic flavor to it then blame Microsoft rather than me”
I could just picture some idiot filing a lawsuit against you in 10 years time, for encouraging people to create boring games. LoL!
On a more serious note, I quite look forward to trying this out though, although the only way this will have any longevity is if MS allow for custom elements to be introduced.
June 25th, 2009
Great, now 360 owners can play ps4th quality games too.
But don’t worry, sony will have their own version in a couple of years time.
June 25th, 2009
Bit of an epic contradiction you’ve got going on there, Andrew.
You’re saying 360 users can play a PS3 like game that’s already out, but yet Sony will have their own version out in a coupla years times time?
I don’t think you’ve thought the baiting through.
June 25th, 2009
Understood and digested Lock_down. I wasn’t very clear. Appologies, but I went to the same English class as Ivan.
What i mean was that with this Kodu thing, amateurs can make amateur games like scee and Polyphony etc… but for the 360.
With the sony reference, I meant that sony would have their own version of Kodu for the ps4th in a few years time. You know, wait and see how its done then copy. Closing the barn door after the horse has bolted sort of thing.
And what do you mean baiting? I am deeply offended by the fact you think I am baiting
I thought I was merely stating facts.
June 25th, 2009
Points = M$’s god complex. Why can’t they use real currency?
June 25th, 2009
Barnabe Jones
They are going to, very soon.
What’s the big deal anyways?
You know how much the points cost and what each game costs in points.
It’s just a means of exchange
Microsoft are no better or worse than $ony (wow, did you see what I did there?!) in demanding payment one way or another for the services & games they offer…….or does everything from $ony (oh ho! there it is again, how big, clever & funny am I?!) in your spoecial world give you everything for free?
June 25th, 2009
Happy, even the most staunch 360 fans know that “Microsoft Points” are stupid. GameInformer often says things like “This will cost 400 MS Points, or $5 in non-stupid currency.”
Yes, it’s just a means of exchange, but it’s an idiotic and pointless means of exchange when they could just use something like (and this is just off the top of my head) DOLLARS.
Or, in your case, Euros… Pounds… whatever the crap everyone’s using these days.
-Arvis
June 25th, 2009
Andrew: “Great, now 360 owners can play ps4th quality games too.”
uhmm yeah!! like Kodu stuff has been making the same buzz as LBP did before it came out. keep wishing. and the 4th Sony console is not out yet. I know the PS3 compare to the 360 might look like its a generation ahead. but no
June 25th, 2009
come on Arvis!!!!!!
he defends RROD. what do you expect.
June 25th, 2009
Arvis, phranctoast.
1) I’m just not in the least bit bothered either way but I did point out that
2) currency transactions are imminent, they are switching to both options.
So, so what?
June 25th, 2009
yeah thats what they said back in 2006
June 25th, 2009
Wow, too cryptic for me Roca.
So, go on then, explain it, how does the choice of paying in real money or paying by points add up to being such a big deal?
You don’t like points?
OK, fine, no-one has to use them anymore….so now what’s getting your panties in such a bunch?
June 25th, 2009
actually I dont care. for me is not a big issue. I buy games in dollars, M$ points or wii points in the end i dont really care
but what arvis was trying to say was that why not call it Dollars, pounds or whatever. calling M$ points is useless and more complicated for some ppl.
June 25th, 2009
For the record, I was simply reiterating the point that it’s very very dumb to invent your own currency to use for online transactions. It’s not a huge problem. Just dumb. Wii Points are almost as dumb, but benefit from having a 1:1 Points-to-Cents ratio, at least in the States.
-Arvis
June 25th, 2009
So the argument is over Points or Dollars. Man this is lame. You guys will debate over anything. Just a hint, it still does not make your PS3 look any better.
June 25th, 2009
and it still looks better. Awesome
June 25th, 2009
I was at gamestop the other day, and this kid was buying some 360 game and the gamestop employee ask him if he wanted to buy 1600 points with that. and the Kid replied like “No thanks I already got about 8000 gamer points on my gamertag”
June 25th, 2009
“You guys will debate over anything.”
The majority topics of which are usually introduced by you, CAD.
I’m looking at buying stuff from the US PSN store, because the currency conversion is favourable now the pound is pretty strong again.
Too bad it’s not 2:1 anymore, but still.
June 25th, 2009
“The majority topics of which are usually introduced by you, CAD.”
Well excuse me for replying to the constant Blorge BS. It’s amazing that I start the majority of topics and I don’t even work for Blorge. I can’t even remember reading an article by CAD. Lock_Down as usual I’m playing defence when stupid comments are made by Sony People or Blorge. Besides I don’t start anything, Mike does.
June 25th, 2009
The thing that gets me about points it this: Take the RE 5 DLC for example, it was $4.99 on PSN vs $5 (however many points on XBL).
Now $.01 doesn’t sound like much, but it adds up over time. Let’s say the DLC sold a million. That would be $10,000 they over charged for that particular piece of content. Let’s say they do that for 30 games….
June 25th, 2009
We’re talking about one cent….
June 25th, 2009
“it was $4.99 on PSN vs $5 (however many points on XBL).”
I consider it a donation to Microsoft for all the good work they’ve done.
June 26th, 2009
CAD – “Besides I don’t start anything, Mike does.”
How fucking old are you. 10? 8?, geeez man grow a pair and stop being such a baby. If Blorge is full of BS, why do you stay here? If you’re interested in debate then debate, don’t throw our stupid fucking inane statements like “when stupid comments are made by Sony People or Blorge”
“it still does not make your PS3 look any better” WTF? they’re discussing what makes more sense…only you could bring up the PS3 into it!!!
Why are you such a hater man? Maybe try sticking to the topic and you wont be hammered so much.
MS Points, $5 either way it’s great value.
June 26th, 2009
Damn, this heat must have got to Roca. Everyone knows (even the ps4th(place) fan girls) that there is no difference in the quality of visuals between the sony tat and the 360. If anything the 360 has the edge but we expect the ps4th(place) fan girls to overlook that as they generally have to sell their hoops to a Gary Glitter fan. So I would feel like I have to defend it against common sense too. Its ok.
NB – Please note the addition of “(place)” after ps4th. I thought I was being clear in my naming convention but it appears, and I am not going to point fingers here, that some doo gooders are a little too slow to understand. Its the same people who have gotten us the “caution! contents may be hot” message on the side of a microwave meal.
June 26th, 2009
haha Garry Glitter.
June 26th, 2009
Harry, I have a little one line rhyme about Garry Glitter but it seems like the sony fan girls will get offended, so best keep it to myself. But the basic gist of it is :
Gary Glitter, Gary Glitter, give it to kids up the s*****r.
And I am banned right?
June 26th, 2009
All I know is that he was a great kisser.
June 26th, 2009
Paedo jokes…..hmmmm, MJ dies and suddenly they’re in.
This’ll be really testing the bounds for some guys.
Personally I think anythings up for comedy but some people have a rod up their a$$ on some subjects and lose the plot (that it’s just a joke).
I always wonder who put it there tho, eh?
June 26th, 2009
Its not a rod. Its a corncob. Ridged for my pleasure.
Maybe need to tone the jokes down so we don’t offend anyone. I mean really offend anyone. After all its only a matter of time before someone “accuses” playstation home as a paedo hunting ground. When we all know this isn’t true.
Now what was the topic again? Oh yes, stealth 360 bashing.
June 26th, 2009
are you out of topic again? is this what the make you do in ur sped class?
June 26th, 2009
are you out of topic again? is this what the make you do in ur sped class?
June 26th, 2009
are you out of topic again? is this what the make you do in ur sped class?
June 26th, 2009
Why do people keep posting three times. I know I am stupid but it only takes me to be told twice.
I am sorry for going off topic again. I am not sure what the rest of that errrmm…sentence is it? was meant to be about though so not sure how to answer.
June 26th, 2009
“Now $.01 doesn’t sound like much, but it adds up over time…”
Barnabe, you’re hilarious. This right after CAD’s complaining that we’ll debate over anything. Love it, man!
I also liked this little comic gem from me_:
“I consider it a donation to Microsoft for all the good work they’ve done.”
-Arvis
June 27th, 2009
Roca,
Just wondering if you take into account the feelings of any mentally disabled people who may read this website before calling others ’speds’. Making fun of disabled people isn’t cool.
June 27th, 2009
Follow the south park rule. Eventually, this will be funny.
June 27th, 2009
According to South PArk, it took 18 years for aids to be funny.