Video Game Design for Kids

Install kodu on a Windows PC by downloading the correct kodu setup xy from the code lab site, accept license, install, create desktop shortcut, and enable updates.

learn how to start a new Kodu world, sculpt terrain with the land brush, add objects and characters, and navigate with the hand tool to save your progress.

Learn Kodu coding by mapping events to behaviors with when and do, use always loops, test with play mode, and add objects, bumps, explosions, and color-based behaviors.

Explore map design and game environments by shaping terrain, coloring land, and adding mountains, water, and paths. Learn brush tools, terrain color, scaling, and object manipulation to craft immersive worlds.

Adjust objects and characters in your map by resizing, changing height, and rotating them. Create paths by placing nodes and switching between plain, road, wall, or fence options.

Learn to code player controlled characters using keyboard (W, A, S, D) or mouse for aiming, and implement NPC AI characters with automated actions like shooting, speaking, or patrolling.

Code an NPC to guard a castle by looping along colored paths, designed for kids, using path colors to differentiate characters, and employing sight-based actions to shoot missiles.

Design power ups by coding a game where collecting ammo unlocks a shooting ability on a second page. Use page switching, keep movement, and have ammo vanish to simulate collection.

Plan your video game first by completing a simple planning guide: title, category, a concise game summary, win condition, and a detailed map sketch, then build and publish in Cody.

Direct players with roads and rock-triggered speech boxes that give hints, use a one-time prompt, then win by saving the cycle and balance difficulty before publishing.

Publish your game by saving with a title and a detailed description, then share with the community. Explore other games, download them, and keep coding to create more advanced projects.