Video Tour: Kodu, Microsoft's DIY game builder

by Richard Mitchell { Jul 2nd 2009 at 5:30PM }

Microsoft released its Kodu Game Lab yesterday, giving gamers everywhere the opportunity to create their very own games. Just for you, we snapped up the tool and set to work creating the Next BIg Thing in video gaming. Well, either that or we created a dinky little 2D shooter. Still, it's hard not to feel some pride after creating a real, honest-to-goodness, functioning game. And we did it all without laying a finger on a standard keyboard.

Check out our video tour and see what created.

Add the trial version of Kodu Game Lab to your Xbox 360 download queue

Tags: community-games, indie-games, kodu, kodu-game-lab, microsoft

Related From Joystiq

Lock your eyes on first EA Sports MMA screenshot
10 days ago
CES 2010's Gaming Showcase to have more showcase, not much more gaming
11 days ago
Volkswagen abandons traditional marketing in favor of iPhone game for GTI launch
16 days ago

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

CarpeD1em500 @ Jul 2nd 2009 5:41PM

Where do I download this?

Rhamsey @ Jul 2nd 2009 5:47PM

its in community games
or heres a link
http://marketplace.xbox.com/en-US/games/media/66acd000-77fe-1000-9115-d8025855024c/

Richard Mitchell @ Jul 2nd 2009 5:49PM

Good question. I added a link to the post above. That will take you directly to the download in Xbox Marketplace.

You can also find it in the Community Games section on your Xbox 360.

matt247 @ Jul 2nd 2009 5:50PM

It's under the community games

Karthik @ Jul 2nd 2009 5:42PM

Just wondering, can you actually sell your game or is the game you created only playable on Kodu

Rhamsey @ Jul 2nd 2009 5:49PM

i highly doubt it, and really hope not.
1, games have to go through a long review process, something that cant really be done just using the 360.
2, that would crowed the indie games group with even more crap than there already is.

Richard Mitchell @ Jul 2nd 2009 5:50PM

It's only playable on Kodu, as far as I know. You can also share your games directly with your Xbox friends that also have Kodu.

There's no database-style sharing akin to LittleBigPlanet though, which is a shame.

NukeAssault @ Jul 2nd 2009 6:41PM

Oh wow, really Richard? i though it would be like that. I'm kinda less interested in it now. =(

xtremeholymuffin @ Jul 5th 2009 3:29PM

It's likely to be added

j.howlett @ Jul 2nd 2009 5:49PM

if i end up borrowing my cousins 360 after it gets back, i think $5 dollars is a good price. do you need gold to share levels?

Rhamsey @ Jul 2nd 2009 5:57PM

Just finished the video, and nice level, but if its going to cost me 20 bucks, it better have fucking amazing achievements.

Courtney @ Jul 2nd 2009 7:11PM

Ummm, the game's only $5 (400MS Points).

Rhamsey @ Jul 2nd 2009 7:15PM

I was talking about Richard Mitchell's game.

Jimbodawg @ Jul 2nd 2009 7:26PM

If you actually watched the video, you would notice how Richard jokingly offered to release his "game" onto the Xbox Live Marketplace for 1200 MS Points (maybe 1500). 1500 MS Points is near the equivalent of $20 USD.

Brian @ Jul 2nd 2009 7:56PM

I'm not sure if you are being sarcastic. But you do know we was joking about releasing his game. Don't you?

dronesensor @ Jul 2nd 2009 8:39PM

Pretty sure that's what's called a "joke," guys.

Supino @ Jul 3rd 2009 3:48AM

I have also learned that sarcasm never work on the nets, Rhamsey.

For what it's worth, I thought your joke was funny.

Rhamsey @ Jul 3rd 2009 12:12PM

Are people really that dumb, i was talking about Richard Mitchell's game, who during the video (which is why i said i just finished watching the video, and nice level) said that he would be selling his game (if it passed certification) for 1500 points (almost 20 dollars) as a joke.
I replied that if i was going to pay 20 bucks for that, it better have some fucking amazing achievements.

kodu doesnt even have achievements, its a community game. Why are people so fucking stupid.

MichaelG @ Jul 6th 2009 2:34AM

Just word your posts better next time and this won't happen.

Captain Planet @ Jul 2nd 2009 5:57PM

Impressive!

Ashitaka @ Jul 3rd 2009 4:40PM

Not really.

Manly Mcbeefington (Mr. ESC) @ Jul 2nd 2009 6:04PM

Community games aren't available in my territory FUUUUUCK!!

I pay like 50$ at year, I don't mind not having access to some features like the video marketplace but this, you are taking this away! You are killing creative George Microsoft you are killing him.

Damian @ Jul 2nd 2009 6:18PM

Not available for me also,it annoys me because i would gladly pay for kodu,they could have just released on xbla so its available everywhere.

Ex14 @ Jul 2nd 2009 7:31PM

same here man. dun forget we also dun get 1 vs 100 T-T

K1LLER HORNET @ Jul 2nd 2009 8:03PM

well,
why don't u guys make a foreign account???

make a USA/UK account & you can pretty much use all features.

& if you don't have much gamerscore, just use the foreign account as your main profile - sorted.

you just have to make a USA/UK account with a local address (make one up - postcode for USA = 10001 ;D)

markjames2010 @ Jul 2nd 2009 11:36PM

George is getting upset!!!!!!!!

VaultICEE @ Jul 2nd 2009 6:10PM

Nice video, Richard. I think this has me convinced to pick Kodu up, which will make this the first time in a while I've used Microsoft Points on something other than Rock Band or Burnout DLC.

Donalds5 @ Jul 2nd 2009 6:16PM

ill only pay 800ms points for it, sorry ;]

Manly Mcbeefington (Mr. ESC) @ Jul 2nd 2009 6:31PM

It costs 400p /:-|

DvsDevise @ Jul 2nd 2009 6:34PM

It's only 400 points, not $20, not 800 points.

It's gotta be one of the most generously priced piece of game software Microsoft has ever released.

goboColossus (LIVE, PSN - gobopop) @ Jul 3rd 2009 12:04AM

I'll give them a pass for Phantom Dust. I know they didn't publish it over here, but it was arguably the best $20 I've ever spent on a video game. This was on release day, and it wasn't on sale.

Kodu is cool stuff though. I'm having a hard time figuring some stuff out, but I'm having a lot of fun playing around. Really wish you could go down to the single square level to make these games (being able to shrink objects), or that they'd at least have set sizes and magnetism for the brushes. I have a feeling we'll have to pay for that in Kodu 2 though.

Levi @ Jul 2nd 2009 6:24PM

Someone pleeeaase remake I Wanna Be The Guy with this ;P

I'd like to take this thing to the limit. It doesn't look very extensive, kinda like a LBP editor where you can create different game types. It would still be interesting to try to make something that is actually good.

Manly Mcbeefington (Mr. ESC) @ Jul 2nd 2009 6:30PM

I was one of the most awesome level designers in Megaman Powered Up! If I had this I would create levels that could possibly blow your mind but guess what this MOFO is region locked.I even tried to download it from MS US page.

The next time I get a console I'm going to register a fake U.S account like the one I have with Rhapsody (Very clever iTunes very clever) I hate region locked content.

Dirk Dorkelson @ Jul 4th 2009 9:35PM

Manly, are you the guy who designed Modesty Mansion? Brilliant stuff.

Richard @ Jul 2nd 2009 7:05PM

WoW!!! thank you for the quick runthrough, I think I will pick this up and give it a try. Has anyone tried sharing their game with others? How many games can you make and save?? how many of your friends games can you save? could you imagine if they added 2 player support for games after you made them? were can I find out more info?

AlpahGeeeK @ Jul 3rd 2009 3:56AM

Didn't last year's E3 show 2 player?

Richard Mitchell @ Jul 3rd 2009 11:32AM

Yeah, Kodu actually supports up to four players. You have to program them all in, of course. Pretty sure they have to be local players too.

JWhittaker @ Jul 2nd 2009 6:53PM

Any chance you could send me a copy of your game to my Gamertag, JWhittaker??? I'd pay, but only if it passes the certification process first...

K1LLER HORNET @ Jul 2nd 2009 8:04PM

this is a really cool title - i've been eagerly awaiting it's arrival.

i'll probably buy it once the Marketplace gets a bit more stable.

Rhamsey @ Jul 2nd 2009 8:11PM

http://www.facepalm.org/
Yes, i know he was kidding, and i know that kodu itself cost only 5 dollars.

ColorblindMonk @ Jul 2nd 2009 8:41PM

Tried the demo, and I loved it. Sucks being broke. :( Can't even buy a $5 game.

Lucas @ Jul 2nd 2009 8:45PM

Not available in Australia?

Am I doing something wrong?

Phizzy @ Jul 2nd 2009 8:46PM

This is really, really bad.

I suppose it's okay for creative noobs though.

D-Whizzle @ Jul 2nd 2009 9:57PM

Wow, insightful comment.

VaultICEE @ Jul 2nd 2009 11:02PM

This video doesn't do the entire game justice. Theres a lot bigger level of depth if you play it or look at the YouTube videos

Richard Mitchell @ Jul 3rd 2009 11:35AM

Yeah, this video isn't supposed to exhaustive at all. It's really just to show you what can be done by someone that has literally never touched it before.

If you really put your mind to it, you could make some pretty impressive stuff. Just take a look at some of the samples that are included with the game.

CzAr @ Jul 2nd 2009 11:12PM

The size restriction and slow down is a problem. I was expecting more from this when I first heard about it. Now it seems like it will only produce mini-games, not a game that someone could spend tons of time making it look and play really good.

Instead your stuck with generic maps and minimal substance.