KODU VISUAL GAME

PROGRAMMINGLynn Langit – Developer Evangelist

Microsoft

VISUAL PROGRAMMING

Is Engaging Is Intuitive Is Fun Encourages Exploration Needs no manual Needs minimal instructions Introduces formal programming

Objects Properties Methods

THE CONTROLLER

•On controller, wiggly sticks (left & right sticks) for navigation (or circle-cross button)•Edit feature explains buttons A, B, X,Y•L &R buttons that do not stick up for zooming in or out•L&R buttons that stick up explained in Edit function

PLAYING A GAME

Start by playing a sample gameOpening Kodu screen

Move from option to option by pressing the circle with the cross on your Xbox 360 game controller.

To select an option, press the A buttonLater you can customize any sample game

MORE ABOUT PLAYING A GAME

Select the game you want to play (scroll) + pick (Press X)Press A to start game playGame play directions will be shown on opening game screen

DEMO Play a game

EDITING THE WORLD

To edit, press Back Go to the edit selection Chose what you want to add Instructions will be in top left corner Only objects can be programmed in Kodu. You can change the terrain as well

Add water Add hills or valleys Change texture Change color (background and lighting)

EDITING SCREEN

DEMO Edit the world

ADDING AN OBJECT To edit press Back Use left wiggly stick to position cursor (white circle) to location Press A to open the object menu Select object or object groups and then press A

CHANGE AN OBJECT Focus on object (place cursor on it) Make changes Objects are characters or plants

EDITING OBJECTS Change color Clone Add music Position Add activities (i.e. program)

DEMO Add and edit objects

PROGRAMMING – WHEN/DO Press Back Select the object, Y to program Left stick on When+, to select When action use A

PROGRAMMING ROWSY to insert more RowsAll Rows run simultaneouslyCan have multiple pages Can program gamepad buttonsCan program multiple gamepads (multi-player games)

ACTIONS AVAILABLE

Move Kick Score Points Add Music Eat Switch Swear More…

DEMO Programming When / Do Actions for

Objects

ADVANCED SETTINGSRate of kicking acceleration, Lighting,

Volume, Breeze speed…

SAVING YOUR GAME

Back button to Back Menu, then ‘Save my world’If using Xbox 360, then games can be saved and shared

HOW TO FIND OUT MORE

At Microsoft Research Site - here

GET MICROSOFT SOFTWARE FOR FREE

For high school and college students - DreamSparkFor startup businesses - BizSparkFor everyone - Express editions – VS and SQL - here