3D Video Game Design

3D Video Game Design

Ages: 6-7*

Course Description:

One of the best ways to get kids excited is to allow them to create something of their own. In this exciting Intro to Coding, students bring their imaginations to life in full, 3D color and create games they can play!

Utilizing block coding, this class helps young learners focus on the coding concepts (not typing) to learn about loops, variables, and constructors while having a blast!

Key Skills students will build in class:

Level 1: Hone computer skills, Design game settings, and Program objects

Level 2: Delve into more advanced object programming concepts including loops, functions, and logic gates

Level 3: Learn prototyping, Design more advanced games using constructors and variables

Examples of student projects:

Frogger freeway, High speed driving maze, Underwater diving, Airplane battle, Multi-player racing games, Strategy-based games, and Sports games

*These are recommended age ranges. We can adjust based on your child’s needs and abilities.

Comprehensive Guide for Kodu

Kodu is a great way for kids to learn to code by developing a 3D game world, including programming characters and objects. The process involves combining different tiles into a conditional ‘rule’ which codes the behavior of an object. Kodu was developed to teach kids how to code by creating their very own video games. Kodu allows kids to demonstrate their creativity and learn to transform a simple platform into a 3D world. Plus, it has customizable features, including dimension, terrain animate and inanimate objects, and landscape features.

What is Kodu?

Kodu is a platform for creating video games developed by Microsoft. It teaches kids about the basic concepts of computer programming. Using a visual programming language (VPL), it enables kids to learn coding through simple graphic/visual elements.

Kids use the platform by connecting tiles consisting of primary codes to create 3D worlds and games. In addition, kids do not need to be experts in typing or learn complex syntax. The platform has multimedia and multisensory content along with Kodu's interactive and simple-to-use interface. So, it makes programming easy for young kids.  

The Coding Process of Kodu

It is easy to code with Kodu; users first select a landscape from the main menu. Coding in Kodu allows kids to create a 3D world using the options from the Tool Menu. The tools are simple to use and include adding, editing, using terrain and water editing tools, and programming objects. Moreover, it has a 'play' option and general world settings.

Kids have to select objects and combine different tiles to program the rules that will govern their object and to animate the game world. The game consists of two commands for each rule: WHEN (condition) and DO (action). Kids have options to form a rule from about 500 different coding tiles. These rules play a role in making a page of actions, and then the pages combine to create a program script.

Each character has up to 12 pages of rules that govern its behavior. Learning this simple WHEN/DO format enables kids to get familiar with complex programming concepts. They can further understand Boolean logic, constructors, loops, and control flow.

Kodu is helpful for budding coders, and it allows them to access interactive tutorials based on simple instructions. In addition, kids can find examples for each tile function in the 'help' option which provides suggestions for selecting tiles.

Kodu comprises an efficient system that minimizes the possibility of syntax errors. When kids connect tiles to make a rule, they only find the tiles that make logical sense. Kids can easily toggle between 'play' and 'edit' mode to change their program and make their learning enjoyable through exploration and experimentation.

What to Create on Kodu?

Kodu offers an entertaining and engaging learning experience designed basically for the computer gaming experience. The platform provides kids plenty of opportunities to create a complex world from an empty landscape. For instance, they can build popular video games like Pacman and Mario Brothers or make simple mazes.

In addition, the game is customizable and consists of a Tool menu that kids can use to change the dimensions of their world. The game provides users with many features so they can modify the size, color, and speed of animate and inanimate objects.

They can also add exciting features like valleys, mountains, water, bridges, change the lighting and color of the sky, etc. Interestingly, Kodu also offers kids options to add sound effects to objects that they can activate by specific events and to add background music to the game world.

Kodu offers Peer Sharing

Users can get support and inspiration from Kodu's web-based community that offers self-directed learning and peer teaching. Kids can create their own projects, and they can also download other exciting games and then make changes on their own. Users can upload their projects on the Kodu website to help other coders. In this way, kids can learn new methods from advanced coders.

How to Use Kodu?

It is easy and simple to use Kodu. It offers a paid version for Xbox and is free to download on Windows.   You do not need to have advanced hardware for running it. You can easily run it on Windows operating systems, low-specification hardware and touch screens, and Xbox 360. Kids can use a keyboard and mouse to program on their PC. In addition, users can also plug in an Xbox controller and use it for programming.

Future Opportunities with Kodu

As discussed above, Kodu has a simple platform that is easy to use for kids. In addition, kids will develop skills and learn concepts that can help them learn advanced VPLs and text-based programming languages. Moreover, it allows downloading a textual version of the visual code written on Kodu to provide a glimpse into text-based interfaces.

Related Articles

For news & special offers, subscribe to our mailing list!

Follow us on: