LittleBigPlanet-esque Game Creator Hits 360
Kodu Game Lab launches today Article written by nofi in PS3 News, on Wednesday, July 1, 2009 at 7:00.We don’t cover 360 stuff on here as a rule, but Kodu hits the Xbox Live Marketplace today and for what amounts to little more than a fiver, it represents amazing value for money and highlights the sorts of things that Sony were aiming for with LittleBigPlanet but on a much wider, broader (but simpler) scale. Initially designed to get kids into coding (the interface is quite basic and friendly) but will hopefully find favour with older developers too due to some subtle, albeit high-level, options that will let dedicated users get the most out of it.
Kodu avoids typing entirely – everything is done via the unique visual interface and with the game controller only, much like LittleBigPlanet, although everything is ‘proper’ 3D rather than LBP’s 2.5d viewport. Because of the fully 3D world, many more gametypes can be created in Kodu than other similar products, such as first person shooters, racing games and RPGs, although – yes – they’ll be reasonably simple ones. Don’t expect the next Quake and you should be OK.
What is most interesting is the cultural intentions here. If Microsoft (Kodu is out on PC, too) can instill the concept that computers and video games can be used to create rather than just serve entertainment this could hark back to the glory days when BASIC was included with all home computers. Whilst I’m yet to try Kodu for myself (but will do so tonight) if it manages to give me at least the notion of creative freedom that always seemed like a hack in LittleBigPlanet I’ll find my five pounds well spent. After all, who wouldn’t want to create a beat-em-up where FruitOfDoom finally got his comeuppance?
Comments
Please note that all comments are the opinion of the individual author and not TheSixthAxis.
Alex_Assassin_08 | 01/07/2009 07:37
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735 TSA Points | Member since: Feb 2009
god I want it on the PSN.
Downey92 | 01/07/2009 07:40
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621 TSA Points | Member since: Jun 2009
She is far too quick with those settings. I can’t move that fast on lbp. And the amount of settings looks enormous too, which probably allows for some interesting features.
Not sure about that rock game though.
nofi | 01/07/2009 08:22
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3870 TSA Points | Member since: Forever
Just had a quick go, it’s actually really good. Obviously the object manipulation and creation is more limited and there’s much less macro-level stuff, but for a fiver it’s nice.
cc_star | 01/07/2009 08:29
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This is something which could help create brand loyalty, a real community could spring up that develops stuff for Windows and Xbox, although the more advanced version is largely proving to be a flop, this simpler iteration could acheive some cut-through.
nofi | 01/07/2009 08:39
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Give it a go. There’s no instructions mind, but the demo is free.
nofi | 01/07/2009 09:18
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Wow, it’s multiplayer too. Need to give this some serious time tonight.
DarthSharkey | 01/07/2009 09:13
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1038 TSA Points | Member since: Feb 2009
I love how it says an “actual 12 year old girl”.
It looks quite good though.
kevatron400 | 01/07/2009 11:04
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Haha in case you’re not sure!
seedaripper1973 | 01/07/2009 13:02
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bugger… i was going to say that (the actual 12 year old girl)
how not, very patroni’z'ing
YOURMUMANDME | 01/07/2009 09:37
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629 TSA Points | Member since: Oct 2008
So is this more like Yaroze than LBP ? ( can’t watch video on phone )
I think Sony should allow user that ability again through the PSN Store , free download and a massive comp to see who is the most innovative . Could be a smart move after this and it won’t be very hard to do as it runs on Ps1 software .
nofi | 01/07/2009 09:41
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No, it’s more click-and-play than Net Yaroze, there’s no low-level programming here. I need to spend more time on it, but it seems great. Only 400 points, too.
YOURMUMANDME | 01/07/2009 10:15
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You’re well chuffed with it ! lol
I’ll go up to my mates tonight and see what the fuss is all about . Is the second TSA game on the way then ?
Redlac | 01/07/2009 09:55
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I miss the days of BASIC. *goes all misty*
O_Fark | 01/07/2009 12:34
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Bananas!
seedaripper1973 | 01/07/2009 13:04
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10 print “seedaripper1973 is the best”
20 goto 10
run
FruitOfDoom | 01/07/2009 10:28
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The idea sounds great, and I may give it a blast. But the way i see it is that Microsoft have just given Sony another excuse for LBP 2, which is what competition is all about.
You read it here everyone – I am a victim here at TSA Towers!
cc_star | 01/07/2009 11:55
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You will be if you don’t get a Gravatar
seedaripper1973 | 01/07/2009 13:06
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^i chuckled…
cc_star | 01/07/2009 10:51
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I love the ‘Actual 12 year old girl’ quote
Raen | 01/07/2009 10:56
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I do want this, and will probably get it later. Seems very awesome
Bilbo_bobbins | 01/07/2009 11:00
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dare i say it, but this looks better than LBP. If only LBP had no lag online, then I would play it.
Gastos84 | 01/07/2009 13:28
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Other than Crackdown I have never been envious of anything 360 has to offer but this looks pretty amazing. Potential is huge.
Graphically I think LBP’s textures, lighting and overall graphics are better but this does look like a lot of fun.
Fully 3D is something i want in LBP2 as the side scrolling can get a bit monotonous sometimes.
Bilbo_bobbins | 01/07/2009 13:56
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LBP in 3d would be awesome, I wouldn’t have a life.
yogh_wayne | 01/07/2009 17:58
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I’m happy that LBP is NOT in 3D. I just love 2D (or 2.5D) jump’n'run games. LBP is perfect the way it is
BioEye | 01/07/2009 20:56
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^ agreed.
colmshan1990 | 01/07/2009 14:09
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I remember when the official playstation magazine used to give out user created games for the ps1. What was the system called again? Yabasic?
Timesh1993 | 01/07/2009 14:32
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Let LBP 2 roll on
It’s not that much of a shock that xbox have jumped on this, specially seeing as how well LBP did.
What sort of name is Sparrow as well?
pvwradtke | 01/07/2009 15:08
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Whereas I’m excited with the whole create thing on a computer/video game, I don’t think that we can go back to the 8 bit era. The issue is not that home comuters back then were packed with Basic, but that to do anything at all you had to learn a little bit of Basic. Since the early PC days there have been free, simple and elegant languages and development environments, but none uses them. Why? Because these days you can get around without programming to use a computer. And to most people, that’s enough. I’d love to go back to those days, but as sad as it may be, they are over
.