Joystiq http://www.joystiq.com Joystiq http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/http://www.joystiq.com/media/feedlogo.gif Joystiq http://www.joystiq.com en-us Copyright 2013 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/<![CDATA[Get your Kinect to Mars [update: Kodu experience on PC only]]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/07/17/get-your-kinect-to-mars/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/07/17/get-your-kinect-to-mars/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/07/17/get-your-kinect-to-mars/#comments Get your Kinect to MarsIf you want to experience what it's like being on Mars with NASA's Mars Rover, but don't want to die from the incredibly toxic atmosphere - and who wants to go through the hassle of traveling to Mars just for a gruesome death? - fire up your Xbox today.

A free Mars Rover Landing app on the Xbox Marketplace lets you use your body to guide the Curiosity rover to a safe landing, just like NASA would do if it didn't have specially designed equipment for more precise control of the device. There's also a Mars-focused experience in the Xbox PC version of the programming education app, Kodu.

Additionally, the new Unity app, Curiosity's Journey, lets you explore a 3D map of Mars' Gale Crater, following along with Curiosity's mission. Thanks for still being awesome, NASA.

Update: Microsoft contacted us to let us know that the new Mars material is only on the PC edition of Kodu, not the Xbox version. The Mars rover character is the first new character since launch, accompanied by three linear levels and several open levels, based on real Mars data.

JoystiqGet your Kinect to Mars [update: Kodu experience on PC only] originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 17 Jul 2012 17:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>curiositycuriositys-journeykinectkodumars-rover-landingpcunityxboxTue, 17 Jul 2012 17:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Microsoft holds Kodu game design competition for kiddos]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/03/16/microsoft-holds-kodu-game-design-competition-for-kiddos/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/03/16/microsoft-holds-kodu-game-design-competition-for-kiddos/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/03/16/microsoft-holds-kodu-game-design-competition-for-kiddos/#comments Microsoft released the full version of game creation utility Kodu Game Lab on PC today, and to celebrate the release of the free software suite, it's hosting a game design competition. Slow down, David Crane -- it's for kids.

The Kodu Cup 2011 is a competition for students aged 9-17 (divided up into two age groups), in which kids use the software to design their own game, for submission by May 10. Prizes include $5,000 awards for both individuals and schools, along a trip to NYC, laptops, Kinect bundles, and a Zune HD out of the warehouse.

JoystiqMicrosoft holds Kodu game design competition for kiddos originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 16 Mar 2011 12:05:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>competitiongame-designkodukodu-cupkodu-game-labpcWed, 16 Mar 2011 12:05:00 EST<![CDATA[Kodu 'Technical Preview' available as free PC download]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2010/01/13/kodu-technical-preview-available-as-free-pc-download/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/01/13/kodu-technical-preview-available-as-free-pc-download/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/01/13/kodu-technical-preview-available-as-free-pc-download/#comments Microsoft's experiment in casual game creation, Kodu, is now available in preview form online. PC gamers can download the "Technical Preview" version of the game right here, which features a revamped UI sporting mouse and keyboard controls. Microsoft also added other tweaks, enhancing the "move" verb (allowing for scripted camera movements), "streamlined terrain editing tools" and characters that can respond to mouse and keyboard events.

If you're a PC gamer wondering what all of the fuss is about, we suggest you check out our video walkthrough. Oh, and do let us know if you come up with any Joystiq-inspired games!

[Via Big Download]

JoystiqKodu 'Technical Preview' available as free PC download originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 13 Jan 2010 22:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>games-for-windowsgames-for-windows-livekodukodu-game-labWed, 13 Jan 2010 22:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Celebrate July 4th with adorable Kodu fireworks]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2009/07/04/celebrate-july-4th-with-adorable-kodu-fireworks/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/07/04/celebrate-july-4th-with-adorable-kodu-fireworks/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/07/04/celebrate-july-4th-with-adorable-kodu-fireworks/#comments Today is the day of independence for Joystiq readers in the United States, which also means it's a day full of aerial explosions of light. You know, fireworks. For those not lucky enough to be in an area where one can witness this colorful spectacle, we figured we'd bring the explosive excitement to the internet, for all to share, with the help of the recently released Community Game, Kodu.

Enjoy the show and have a boom-tastic July 4th!

JoystiqCelebrate July 4th with adorable Kodu fireworks originally appeared on Joystiq on Sat, 04 Jul 2009 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>community-gamesfireworksfourth-of-julyindie-gameskoduSat, 04 Jul 2009 10:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Video Tour: Kodu, Microsoft's DIY game builder]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2009/07/02/video-tour-kodu-microsofts-diy-game-builder/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/07/02/video-tour-kodu-microsofts-diy-game-builder/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/07/02/video-tour-kodu-microsofts-diy-game-builder/#comments 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

JoystiqVideo Tour: Kodu, Microsoft's DIY game builder originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 02 Jul 2009 17:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>community-gamesindie-gameskodukodu-game-labmicrosoftXbox-360Thu, 02 Jul 2009 17:30:00 EST<![CDATA[PSA: Kodu Game Lab is now live]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2009/07/01/psa-kodu-game-lab-is-now-live/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/07/01/psa-kodu-game-lab-is-now-live/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/07/01/psa-kodu-game-lab-is-now-live/#comments
Just a quick reminder from your friends at Joystiq, if you wanted to try your hand at the totally cool visual game programming of Kodu Game Lab, the title is now available on the Xbox Live Marketplace (though you'll have to navigate over to the Community Games section to find it).

For just 400 MS points ($5) you can build your very own game from the ground up, all the while being reminded that no matter how hard you work at it, Sparrow still owns you. If you manage to make anything cool (though admittedly never as cool as what Sparrow makes) let us know in the comments below.

JoystiqPSA: Kodu Game Lab is now live originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 01 Jul 2009 12:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>community-gameskodukodu-game-labxblmxbox-liveWed, 01 Jul 2009 12:40:00 EST<![CDATA[Kodu gets creative on Xbox 360 June 30 [update]]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2009/06/24/kodu-gets-creative-on-xbox-360-june-30/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/06/24/kodu-gets-creative-on-xbox-360-june-30/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/06/24/kodu-gets-creative-on-xbox-360-june-30/#comments
Update: Microsoft got back to us with the following: "We are going through the same peer-review process that every other developer has to go through, so there isn't any way to determine when the game will actually post, but we hope that it will be somewhere near or on June 30." So, everyone is trying their best to make sure Kodu makes the June 30 release, but don't consider that date chiseled in stone.

When the official Kodu blog mentioned that the title would be available this month, it apparently wasn't lying. Xboxic is reporting the game will be available for download on the last day of this month, June 30, for a reasonable 400. Oh, and if you're scratching your head due to Microsoft's penchant for Humpday releases, remember this is an Xbox 360 Community Game Indie Game, and not an Arcade release.

For clarification's sake, we've put in word to Microsoft to confirm and will be sure to get back to you with what we find.

JoystiqKodu gets creative on Xbox 360 June 30 [update] originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 24 Jun 2009 14:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>community-gamesindie-gameskoduMicrosoftXbox-360Wed, 24 Jun 2009 14:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Kodu to infiltrate Xbox 360, your imagination this month]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2009/06/09/kodu-to-infiltrate-xbox-360-your-imagination-this-month/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/06/09/kodu-to-infiltrate-xbox-360-your-imagination-this-month/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/06/09/kodu-to-infiltrate-xbox-360-your-imagination-this-month/#comments
We haven't had anything related to Kodu (not to be confused with Kudo) to excite us since early January, but, thankfully, we now know that this month is bringing us more than ridiculously hot weather. Courtesy of the Kodu dev blog, we know that the game will release sometime in June, however an exact date is something that needs to be ironed out.

If you're finding your memory of Kodu is a bit fuzzy, then refresh it with this video of Microsoft flagrantly ignoring child labor laws.

[Via Edge]

JoystiqKodu to infiltrate Xbox 360, your imagination this month originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 09 Jun 2009 21:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>koduMicrosoftXbox-360xnaTue, 09 Jun 2009 21:00:00 EST<![CDATA[CES 09: Is Kodu really that simple? Answer: Yes!]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2009/01/10/ces-09-is-kodu-really-that-simple-answer-yes/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/01/10/ces-09-is-kodu-really-that-simple-answer-yes/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/01/10/ces-09-is-kodu-really-that-simple-answer-yes/#commentsFiled under: ,


Our homies over at Joystiq got a chance to sit in on a demo of Microsoft's recently announced and supposedly user friendly Community Game Kodu and were able to answer the still lingering question that's on everyone's mind: Is Kodu really that easy to use? Quick answer, yes ... yes it is.

According to Microsoft's Matthew MacLaurin, Kodu was created with kids in mind and describes the game as "programming as a fourth-grade art class." And Joystiq's Justin McElroy agrees that it really is basic and well, simple. Check out the informative (and totally factual) Kodu bullet points listed below:
  • Will ship with 20 different objects/characters.
  • 20 pre-built (and editable) levels will be included.
  • Commands given to objects are called "Pages".
  • Kodu has been tested with kids for over a year.
  • Releasing this Spring for a yet to be disclosed price.

JoystiqCES 09: Is Kodu really that simple? Answer: Yes! originally appeared on Joystiq on Sat, 10 Jan 2009 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>ces-2009community-gameskoduxnaSat, 10 Jan 2009 18:00:00 EST<![CDATA[CES 2009: A closer look at Kodu]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2009/01/09/ces-2009-a-closer-look-at-kodu/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/01/09/ces-2009-a-closer-look-at-kodu/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/01/09/ces-2009-a-closer-look-at-kodu/#commentsFiled under:


We don't know about you, but we weren't quite sure what to make of junior game creation platform Kodu when Microsoft showed it off at its CES keynote. Sure, it looked interesting, but scary smart 12-year-old demonstrator Sparrow was so adept at building levels with the software, we couldn't tell if it was as easy as Microsoft was making it out to be.

The answer, judging from the brief demonstration we saw today, is a tentative "Yes."

Gallery: Kodu Game Creator

Continue reading CES 2009: A closer look at Kodu

JoystiqCES 2009: A closer look at Kodu originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 09 Jan 2009 18:56:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>ces-2009koduXbox-360xnaFri, 09 Jan 2009 18:56:00 EST<![CDATA[Video: Girl builds game with Kodu, beats Robbie Bach at it]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2009/01/08/video-girl-builds-game-with-kodu-beats-robbie-bach-at-it/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/01/08/video-girl-builds-game-with-kodu-beats-robbie-bach-at-it/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/01/08/video-girl-builds-game-with-kodu-beats-robbie-bach-at-it/#commentsFiled under:


During Microsoft's CES keynote presentation, Robbie Bach showed off Kodu, Microsoft's new game building ... game. Actually, to be more precise, it was shown off by Sparrow, an "actual 12 year old girl" who demonstrated her own gaming creation in which she and Bach raced each other to place rocks into a house. We don't really understand it either, but the point is she made the game herself and was even able to make quick changes to it right on stage. Don't take our word for it though, because you can watch it happen yourself. Check out a video of Sparrow's creation after the break.

Continue reading Video: Girl builds game with Kodu, beats Robbie Bach at it

JoystiqVideo: Girl builds game with Kodu, beats Robbie Bach at it originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 08 Jan 2009 15:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>ces-2009kodusparrowThu, 08 Jan 2009 15:15:00 EST<![CDATA[Kodu is the new Boku: Xbox Live's 'LittleBigPlanet']]>http://www.joystiq.com/2009/01/08/kodu-is-the-new-boku-xbox-lives-littlebigplanet/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/01/08/kodu-is-the-new-boku-xbox-lives-littlebigplanet/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/01/08/kodu-is-the-new-boku-xbox-lives-littlebigplanet/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Microsoft pulled no punches during its CES keynote, shuffling an "actual 12-year-old girl" onstage to demonstrate its newly renamed Xbox Live Community Game "Kodu." Apparently too reminiscent of the failed 80s-era adult juice, the former name, Boku, was dropped in favor of the less associable two-syllabler. But we digress. Kodu is still easily described as a LittleBigPlanet-esque effort, but on a much simpler scale -- and probably far less "brilliant," in the Brits' all-purpose sense of the word.

Sparrow, that 12-year-old we mentioned, apparently did create a "pretty impressive" game using Kodu, described by Engadget as, "Katamari meets light-cycles from Tron. It's totally bizarre -- now her and Robbie [Bach] are using cycles to steal rocks from each other." Actually, sounds brilliant to us.

Kodu was originally designed as a learning tool for kids, but Microsoft promises it's compatible with people ages "seven to 70." Players reportedly create their game worlds in mere minutes using a pool of 200 building blocks designed to drive simple gameplay concepts like vision, hearing and time. Kodu is scheduled for release this spring and has yet to be priced.

Update: Video after the break, and more details here. [Thanks EvilDud!]

Continue reading Kodu is the new Boku: Xbox Live's 'LittleBigPlanet'

JoystiqKodu is the new Boku: Xbox Live's 'LittleBigPlanet' originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 08 Jan 2009 12:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>breakingnewsCESces-2009community-gameskoduPCXbox-360xbox-livexbox-live-community-gamesThu, 08 Jan 2009 12:15:00 EST<![CDATA[CES 09: Game making made easy with Kodu ]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2009/01/07/ces-09-game-making-made-easy-with-kodu/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/01/07/ces-09-game-making-made-easy-with-kodu/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/01/07/ces-09-game-making-made-easy-with-kodu/#commentsFiled under: ,


On stage, during this year's CES keynote, Microsoft' Robbie Bach announced the new game building playground that's coming to the Community Games channel later this year. It's called Kodu (formerly known as Boku) and allows anyone to pick up a 360 controller and build their own game. It's sorta like Little Big Planet, but more open, free and targeted towards all age groups. With a simplified control scheme, over 200 building block options and possibilities galore, Kodu is an interesting lil project.

Though, from Bach's Kodu on-stage demo, we were quickly overwhelmed by the amount of menu navigation that was going on. It's supposed to be intuitive, but to us, it seems a bit overwhelming. We'll see.

JoystiqCES 09: Game making made easy with Kodu originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 07 Jan 2009 22:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>bokuces-2009community-gameskoduWed, 07 Jan 2009 22:45:00 EST