Microsoft Kodu Game Lab is a visual programming language developed by Microsoft specifically for creating games. It is designed to be accessible to children and enjoyable for anyone.
The programming environment runs on Xbox, allowing for rapid design iteration using only a game controller (mouse and keyboard input is also supported).
Kodu Game Lab enables kids to create games on PC and Xbox using a simple visual programming language. This application can foster creativity, problem-solving skills, storytelling, and programming.
Anyone, from young children to adults with no design or programming skills, can use Kodu Game Lab to make a game. The core of the Kodu project is its programming user interface, which is simple and entirely icon-based.
Programs consist of pages divided into rules, further broken down into conditions and actions. Conditions are evaluated simultaneously.
This Microsoft software provides a comprehensive creative environment for designing, building, and playing games. The Kodu language is designed for game development and includes specialized primitives based on gaming scenarios.
Programs are expressed using tangible concepts like vision, hearing, and time to control character behavior. Although not as general-purpose as traditional programming languages, Kodu can convey advanced game design concepts in an easy-to-understand, straightforward, and intuitive way.
Microsoft Kodu Game Lab Key Features:
- High-level language incorporates real-world primitives: collision, color, vision
- Uses Xbox 360 Game Controller for input — no keyboard required
- It runs seamlessly on Xbox 360 and PC
- Interactive terrain editor
- Bridge and path builder
- Terrain editor – create worlds of arbitrary shape and size
- 20 different characters with different abilities
Supported Operating Systems: Windows 11, Windows 10, Windows 7, Windows 8, Windows Vista.
A graphics card that supports DirectX 9.0c and Shader Model 2.0 or higher is required. .NET Framework 4.0 or higher is required. XNA Framework 4.0 Redistributable is required. The XNA redist is included in the .EXE version of the installer. For system admins installing via the .MSI you can get the XNA redist here: XNA 4 Redist
