THE KODU PORTAL

Creative Robotics Learning Center will soon adopt the Kodu Game Lab into its syllabus, since Kodu will allow students to program virtual robots - bots - and test them in cyberspace with minimal hassle. This portal will eventually house lots of goodies for students such as tips, tricks and sample maps. Stay tuned for more!

We are already appearing in the media!

Click here for a full list

HardwareZone.com

Bits-n-Bytez

Lowyat.net

Bernama

Gadgets @ eMedia

Tech Central

New Straits Times

My Metro

KREATIVE KODU KUP (K3 or K-Cube) RESULTS

The K3 results are out. The event was a roaring success! Click on the link below to find out more.

Click here to see the results and view the gallery.

WHAT IS KODU?

Kodu Game Lab is a visual programming language that allows anyone, even those without programming knowledge and experience, to create rich 3D games. Kodu uses intuitive icons to control the characters and objects with character behaviours expressed in physical terms. Students as young as 5 have been able to create simple games on their own. Originally named Boku, the Kodu provides an end-to-end creative environment for designing, building, and playing your very own games. Cool!

The Kodu bot/character

The Kodu development environment contains a library of numerous 3D models (characters and objects) that can be used to make interactive game environments. Powerful terrain development tools allow the user to create virtual worlds for their games to take place in. Audio clips for use as sound effects and background music are also included. This promotes thinking both in and out of the box. For example, students will think inside the box to use existing models as characters in their game. They will also think out of the box to add life to the virtual robots (bots) and give them unique characteristics.

Kodu allows the use of both the mouse/keyboard or an Xbox controller, although the learning experience is much greater (more fun!) with an Xbox controller to both program and play the game. This program offers students a fun and enjoyable learning experience. It also instills skills such as creativity, programming skills, game designing logic, and many others, improving the student's mental flexibility and common sense (of what can be done and what can't).

A small room with some common items

Another view of the room - remember: it's 3D!

Larger worlds can easily be made

Whole islands or maps can be created too!

KEY BENEFITS OF KODU

• Kodu can introduce logical thinking and problem solving skills that are not just applicable to programming, but also to daily activities (robotics, web design, decision making, etc).
• Kodu introduces the concept of sequential thinking and conditional events into one's thinking.
• Kodu's programming environment is entirely object-oriented.
• When multiple students are assigned to make a game, they learn teamwork - vital in today's world.
• Kodu instills creative thinking - allowing one to think both in and out of the box.
• Kodu can instill and sharpen narrative skills - all good games need a good storyline!
• Kodu is an excellent tool that demonstrates that programming can be both a fun and creative medium too!

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS

Here are some requirements to meet to ensure that you have the very best Kodu experience!

Operating Systems: PC with Windows XP, Windows Vista or Windows 7. Mac users can run Kodu on a virtual machine without issues, so don't worry.

Graphics: A graphics card that supports DirectX 9.0c and Shader Model 2.0 or higher is required. The .NET Framework 3.5 or higher is required. The XNA Framework 3.1 Redistributable is also required.

Controller: For the best experience, an Xbox or Xbox 360 controller for PC should be used - it makes playing the game(s) you just made more satisfying. It'll feel more like playing with a console (e.g. Xbox 360, PS3, Wii, etc.) game you made yourself!

CREATIVE KODU WORKSHOP

We are holding our very own Kodu workshop starting from the 26th July onwards! Get details here or click on the eBrochure below. Sign up now - limited places available!

Click on the eBrochure for more details!