{"id":170182,"date":"2009-01-05T16:12:45","date_gmt":"2009-01-05T16:12:45","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.microsoft.com\/en-us\/research\/project\/kodu\/"},"modified":"2020-06-29T07:39:53","modified_gmt":"2020-06-29T14:39:53","slug":"kodu","status":"publish","type":"msr-project","link":"https:\/\/www.microsoft.com\/en-us\/research\/project\/kodu\/","title":{"rendered":"Kodu"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignleft\" src=\"https:\/\/www.microsoft.com\/en-us\/research\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/02\/kodu-2.jpg\" alt=\"Kodu logo\" width=\"153\" height=\"102\" \/>Kodu is a new visual programming language made specifically for creating games. It is designed to be accessible for children and enjoyable for anyone. The programming environment runs on the Xbox, allowing rapid design iteration using only a game controller for input.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h2>Programming as a Creative Medium<\/h2>\n<p><span id=\"dd38c0ca-3e4b-4600-b89c-182a43b1c124\" class=\"ImageBlock fn\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" id=\"Imagedd38c0ca-3e4b-4600-b89c-182a43b1c124\" class=\"alignnone\" src=\"https:\/\/www.microsoft.com\/en-us\/research\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/02\/kodu-programming_ui.jpg\" alt=\"screenshot of the Kodu programming user interface\" width=\"530\" height=\"295\" \/><span id=\"ImageCaptiondd38c0ca-3e4b-4600-b89c-182a43b1c124\" class=\"ImageCaptionCoreCss ImageCaption\"><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p>The core of the\u00a0Kodu project is the programming user interface. The language is simple and entirely icon-based. Programs are composed of pages, which are broken down into rules, which are further divided into conditions and actions. Conditions are evaluated simultaneously.<\/p>\n<p>The\u00a0Kodu language is designed specifically for game development and provides specialized primitives derived from gaming scenarios. Programs are expressed in physical terms, using concepts like vision, hearing, and time to control character behavior. While not as general-purpose as classical programming languages,\u00a0Kodu can express advanced game design concepts in a simple, direct, and intuitive manner.<\/p>\n<h2>Kodu Screen Shots<\/h2>\n<div style=\"width: 280px\" class=\"wp-caption alignleft\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.microsoft.com\/en-us\/research\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/02\/kodu-load_ui.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" id=\"Image2c4763ec-047f-4607-827b-d85c6b800d03\" src=\"https:\/\/www.microsoft.com\/en-us\/research\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/02\/kodu-load_ui_190.jpg\" alt=\"screenshot of the Kodu game load \/ community screen\" width=\"270\" height=\"190\" \/><\/a><p class=\"wp-caption-text\">Game load \/ community screen.<\/p><\/div>\n<div style=\"width: 200px\" class=\"wp-caption alignleft\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.microsoft.com\/en-us\/research\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/02\/kodu-kodu_turtle.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" id=\"Imagee296c9b7-acb2-4486-ba6a-c284ff752f10\" src=\"https:\/\/www.microsoft.com\/en-us\/research\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/02\/kodu-kodu_turtle_190.jpg\" alt=\"Turtle character\" width=\"190\" height=\"190\" \/><\/a><p class=\"wp-caption-text\">Yes, we have a turtle.<\/p><\/div>\n<div style=\"width: 280px\" class=\"wp-caption alignleft\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.microsoft.com\/en-us\/research\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/02\/kodu-sensor_wheel.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" id=\"Imagee0148a79-f0cd-4e43-a1ed-8aeb3c8c06de\" src=\"https:\/\/www.microsoft.com\/en-us\/research\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/02\/kodu-sensor_wheel_190.jpg\" alt=\"\"physical\" sensors are used as rule input - no keyboard required\" width=\"270\" height=\"190\" \/><\/a><p class=\"wp-caption-text\">&#8220;Physical&#8221; sensors are used as rule input.<\/p><\/div>\n<div style=\"width: 200px\" class=\"wp-caption alignleft\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.microsoft.com\/en-us\/research\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/02\/kodu-kodu_sutekki.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" id=\"Image00cc635c-ca40-4e6a-b6da-277730e8e62d\" src=\"https:\/\/www.microsoft.com\/en-us\/research\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/02\/kodu-kudo_sutekki_190.jpg\" alt=\"Stick character\" width=\"190\" height=\"190\" \/><\/a><p class=\"wp-caption-text\">Stick can&#8217;t walk but he packs a wallop.<\/p><\/div>\n\t<div data-wp-context='{\"items\":[]}' data-wp-interactive=\"msr\/accordion\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"clearfix\">\n\t\t\t\t<div\n\t\t\t\t\tclass=\"btn-group align-items-center mb-g float-sm-right\"\n\t\t\t\t\tdata-bi-aN=\"accordion-collapse-controls\"\n\t\t\t\t>\n\t\t\t\t\t<button\n\t\t\t\t\t\tclass=\"btn btn-link m-0\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\tdata-bi-cN=\"Expand all\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\tdata-wp-bind--aria-controls=\"state.ariaControls\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\tdata-wp-bind--aria-expanded=\"state.ariaExpanded\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\tdata-wp-bind--disabled=\"state.isAllExpanded\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\tdata-wp-class--inactive=\"state.isAllExpanded\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\tdata-wp-on--click=\"actions.onExpandAll\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\ttype=\"button\"\n\t\t\t\t\t>\n\t\t\t\t\t\tExpand all\t\t\t\t\t<\/button>\n\t\t\t\t\t<span aria-hidden=\"true\"> | <\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t<button\n\t\t\t\t\t\tclass=\"btn btn-link m-0\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\tdata-bi-cN=\"Collapse all\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\tdata-wp-bind--aria-controls=\"state.ariaControls\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\tdata-wp-bind--aria-expanded=\"state.ariaExpanded\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\tdata-wp-bind--disabled=\"state.isAllCollapsed\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\tdata-wp-class--inactive=\"state.isAllCollapsed\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\tdata-wp-on--click=\"actions.onCollapseAll\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\ttype=\"button\"\n\t\t\t\t\t>\n\t\t\t\t\t\tCollapse all\t\t\t\t\t<\/button>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<ul class=\"msr-accordion\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<li class=\"m-0\" data-wp-context='{\"id\":\"accordion-content-2\"}' data-wp-init=\"callbacks.init\">\n\t\t<div class=\"accordion-header\">\n\t\t\t<button\n\t\t\t\taria-controls=\"accordion-content-2\"\n\t\t\t\tclass=\"btn btn-collapse\"\n\t\t\t\tdata-wp-bind--aria-expanded=\"state.isExpanded\"\n\t\t\t\tdata-wp-on--click=\"actions.onClick\"\n\t\t\t\tid=\"accordion-button-1\"\n\t\t\t\ttype=\"button\"\n\t\t\t>\n\t\t\t\tKey Features\t\t\t<\/button>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div\n\t\t\taria-labelledby=\"accordion-button-1\"\n\t\t\tclass=\"msr-accordion__content\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-bind--inert=\"!state.isExpanded\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-run=\"callbacks.run\"\n\t\t\tid=\"accordion-content-2\"\n\t\t>\n\t\t\t<div class=\"msr-accordion__body\">\n\t\t\t\t<p>Kodu provides an end-to-end creative environment for designing, building, and playing your own new games.<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>High-level language incorporates real-world primitives: collision, color, vision<\/li>\n<li>Uses Xbox 360 Game Controller for input\u00a0\u2014 no keyboard required<\/li>\n<li>Runs on XBox 360 and PC<\/li>\n<li>Interactive terrain editor<\/li>\n<li>Bridge and path builder<\/li>\n<li>Terrain editor &#8211; create worlds of arbitrary shape and size<\/li>\n<li>20 different characters with different abilities<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/li>\n\t\t<li class=\"m-0\" data-wp-context='{\"id\":\"accordion-content-4\"}' data-wp-init=\"callbacks.init\">\n\t\t<div class=\"accordion-header\">\n\t\t\t<button\n\t\t\t\taria-controls=\"accordion-content-4\"\n\t\t\t\tclass=\"btn btn-collapse\"\n\t\t\t\tdata-wp-bind--aria-expanded=\"state.isExpanded\"\n\t\t\t\tdata-wp-on--click=\"actions.onClick\"\n\t\t\t\tid=\"accordion-button-3\"\n\t\t\t\ttype=\"button\"\n\t\t\t>\n\t\t\t\tRelated links\t\t\t<\/button>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div\n\t\t\taria-labelledby=\"accordion-button-3\"\n\t\t\tclass=\"msr-accordion__content\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-bind--inert=\"!state.isExpanded\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-run=\"callbacks.run\"\n\t\t\tid=\"accordion-content-4\"\n\t\t>\n\t\t\t<div class=\"msr-accordion__body\">\n\t\t\t\t<p><strong>Free PC version:<\/strong> <a href=\"https:\/\/www.microsoft.com\/en-us\/p\/kodu\/9wzdncrfj9wq\" target=\"_self\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Kodu on Microsoft Store<\/a><\/p>\n<p>Visit <a class=\"msr-external-link glyph-append glyph-append-open-in-new-tab glyph-append-xsmall\" href=\"http:\/\/www.kodugamelab.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">KoduGameLab.com<span class=\"sr-only\"> (opens in new tab)<\/span><\/a>!<\/p>\n<h5>In the News<\/h5>\n<ul>\n<li><a class=\"msr-external-link glyph-append glyph-append-open-in-new-tab glyph-append-xsmall\" target=\"_blank\" title=\"\" href=\"http:\/\/mindshift.kqed.org\/2011\/07\/students-create-games-that-focus-on-global-issues\/\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Students Create Games that Focus on Global Issues | MindShift<span class=\"sr-only\"> (opens in new tab)<\/span><\/a><\/li>\n<li><a class=\"msr-external-link glyph-append glyph-append-open-in-new-tab glyph-append-xsmall\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"http:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/2010\/09\/19\/\/magazine\/19Essays-kodu-t.html?_r=1&ref=magazine\">The 8-Year-Old Programmer | New York Times<span class=\"sr-only\"> (opens in new tab)<\/span><\/a><\/li>\n<li><a class=\"msr-external-link glyph-append glyph-append-open-in-new-tab glyph-append-xsmall\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"http:\/\/www.slate.com\/id\/2222546\/\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Logo on Steroids | Slate<span class=\"sr-only\"> (opens in new tab)<\/span><\/a><\/li>\n<li>New Program Allows Everyone to Design Video Games<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"http:\/\/www.microsoft.com\/presspass\/events\/ces\/default.mspx\" target=\"_self\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Microsoft at International Consumer Electronics Show 2009 Virtual Pressroom<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h5>Projects We Like<\/h5>\n<ul>\n<li><a class=\"msr-external-link glyph-append glyph-append-open-in-new-tab glyph-append-xsmall\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"http:\/\/scratch.mit.edu\/\">Scratch project at MIT<span class=\"sr-only\"> (opens in new tab)<\/span><\/a><\/li>\n<li><a class=\"msr-external-link glyph-append glyph-append-open-in-new-tab glyph-append-xsmall\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"http:\/\/creators.xna.com\/\">XNA Creators Club<span class=\"sr-only\"> (opens in new tab)<\/span><\/a><\/li>\n<li><a class=\"msr-external-link glyph-append glyph-append-open-in-new-tab glyph-append-xsmall\" href=\"http:\/\/www.alice.org\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Alice<span class=\"sr-only\"> (opens in new tab)<\/span><\/a><\/li>\n<li><a class=\"msr-external-link glyph-append glyph-append-open-in-new-tab glyph-append-xsmall\" href=\"http:\/\/education.mit.edu\/drupal\/starlogo-tng\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">StarLogo TNG<span class=\"sr-only\"> (opens in new tab)<\/span><\/a><\/li>\n<li><a class=\"msr-external-link glyph-append glyph-append-open-in-new-tab glyph-append-xsmall\" href=\"http:\/\/koduclub.org\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Kodu Club at Explorer Elementary<span class=\"sr-only\"> (opens in new tab)<\/span><\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h5>Papers<\/h5>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.microsoft.com\/en-us\/research\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/02\/kodu-kodugrammar.pdf\" target=\"_self\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Kodu Language Grammar<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/li>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/ul>\n\t<\/div>\n\t\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Kodu is a visual programming language made specifically for creating games. It is designed to be accessible for children and enjoyable for anyone. The programming environment runs on the Xbox, allowing rapid design iteration using only a game controller for input.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"featured_media":0,"template":"","meta":{"msr-url-field":"","msr-podcast-episode":"","msrModifiedDate":"","msrModifiedDateEnabled":false,"ep_exclude_from_search":false,"_classifai_error":"","footnotes":""},"research-area":[13551,13554,13560],"msr-locale":[268875],"msr-impact-theme":[],"msr-pillar":[],"class_list":["post-170182","msr-project","type-msr-project","status-publish","hentry","msr-research-area-graphics-and-multimedia","msr-research-area-human-computer-interaction","msr-research-area-programming-languages-software-engineering","msr-locale-en_us","msr-archive-status-active"],"msr_project_start":"2010-04-05","related-publications":[],"related-downloads":[],"related-videos":[185272,187539,188186],"related-groups":[],"related-events":[],"related-opportunities":[],"related-posts":[287447],"related-articles":[],"tab-content":[],"slides":[],"related-researchers":[],"msr_research_lab":[199565],"msr_impact_theme":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.microsoft.com\/en-us\/research\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/msr-project\/170182","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.microsoft.com\/en-us\/research\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/msr-project"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.microsoft.com\/en-us\/research\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/msr-project"}],"version-history":[{"count":5,"href":"https:\/\/www.microsoft.com\/en-us\/research\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/msr-project\/170182\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":670233,"href":"https:\/\/www.microsoft.com\/en-us\/research\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/msr-project\/170182\/revisions\/670233"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.microsoft.com\/en-us\/research\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=170182"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"msr-research-area","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.microsoft.com\/en-us\/research\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/research-area?post=170182"},{"taxonomy":"msr-locale","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.microsoft.com\/en-us\/research\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/msr-locale?post=170182"},{"taxonomy":"msr-impact-theme","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.microsoft.com\/en-us\/research\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/msr-impact-theme?post=170182"},{"taxonomy":"msr-pillar","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.microsoft.com\/en-us\/research\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/msr-pillar?post=170182"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}