At CES 2009 MS introduced a whole new programming language/enviroment for XBOX 360 and PCs called Kodu (pronounced Code-you). Ostensibly its a game design tool for kids, its coming to XNA Community games by spring.
Sneaky sorts that they are, the MS Research dudes have actually crafted (shhh!) one heck of an educational tool. For kids of all ages. Spiritually, it is a 21st Century Turtle Logo.
Not content with hijacking the next wave of software developers while they are in college via XNA, now MS is going after the entire next generation while they're still in 6th grade.
I haven't coded anything beyond macros in ages and haven't even thought of cooking up a game since the Atari 800 days but this... this looks interesting.
Semantic programming with robust OOP tools and even recursion? Accessible to 12-year-olds? Yeow!
That is two whole sophistication levels higher than anything currently available on any console.
Just the previews give me ideas...
http://arstechnica.com/news.ars/post...xnas-kodu.html
http://xbox360.ign.com/articles/943/943832p1.html
Sneaky sorts that they are, the MS Research dudes have actually crafted (shhh!) one heck of an educational tool. For kids of all ages. Spiritually, it is a 21st Century Turtle Logo.
Not content with hijacking the next wave of software developers while they are in college via XNA, now MS is going after the entire next generation while they're still in 6th grade.

I haven't coded anything beyond macros in ages and haven't even thought of cooking up a game since the Atari 800 days but this... this looks interesting.
Semantic programming with robust OOP tools and even recursion? Accessible to 12-year-olds? Yeow!
That is two whole sophistication levels higher than anything currently available on any console.
Just the previews give me ideas...
http://arstechnica.com/news.ars/post...xnas-kodu.html
http://xbox360.ign.com/articles/943/943832p1.html