So I've been watching the progress of a very interesting development from Microsoft's XNA development studio called Kodu. As the official site says, "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.
The core of the Kodu 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.
The Kodu 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, Kodu can express advanced game design concepts in a simple, direct, and intuitive manner."
This is soooo awesome, and I'm super excited to try it out. Check out the preview video and a letter I sent to the dev team regarding limitations and such on the dev tools within Kodu. If you're into games and have always wanted to try to make one, here's your chance. If a 12-year old could do it, so can you.
"Hi there!
I've been watching this project for quite a while now, and I've grown VERY fond of how you guys have been developing this awesome platform for codeless designers like me to learn to program and create games (based on ideas I've had brewing but never the know-how or resources to execute). I can see the truly endless potential of Kodu's framework and the outstanding GUI you all have implemented into the game.
Now on to my questions. As I've been thinking of games to try my hand at developing, I came across a few hitches that I haven't yet seen answered (it's very difficult to track down very much information on the specifics of the limitations of the project).
As I understand it, there will be 20 custom Kodu characters that each serve specific archetypes on which to build. Among those characters, will there be a humanoid type? I'm fine with the awesome Kodu characters, but for some ideas I had, I was curious if I could use a humanoid character in some of my games. (Or could I use my Xbox Live Avatar perhaps?)
When it comes to items and props, how many types of objects will be available? Along the same lines, will any of the 20 characters be able to be assigned actions to equip certain items that are assigned modifiers for the character's benefit?
Also, will there be any way to implement dialog boxes and NPC interaction besides blowing them up? If there is such a feature, will I also be able to create things such as inventories that keep record of items on hand and allow actions for equipping or using such items?
Will there be any way to link levels together (such as entering a dungeon from outside and being in an enclosed space with an isometric camera view) to allow for multiple levels within a game? Or will I need to simply make paths to these various levels and make it very clear that they are in a different area? Or can I assign teleport actions to certain doors and such and have them link to a separate part of the map, where the level is self-contained and set apart from the main overworld?
Finally, with regard to camera options, will there be a way to blend camera movements for tutorials and flybys? Say I have a character that is on flat ground and starts walking up a mountain. Until he begins the ascent, he has full camera control. Once he crosses an invisible marker, can the camera change properties and become a sidescrolling locked view of the character as he winds up the hill, then give back control when he reaches the top?
These are a few of the questions I've had. I'd really love to jump right into the experience when I purchase this next week, so it would be nice to have a little head start so I don't disappoint myself with hyped up expectations (by no fault of your own. The team has made it abundantly clear that this is first and foremost an educational tool for a younger audience).
I hope I haven't overburdened you with questions and hope you all enjoy the last days of development! You all rock and I'm so excited to try my hand at Kodu!!"
-Scott Hernandez
Restlessness
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Ok, so about the last comment I made about getting out of the house.
Yeah.
It's hitting me right about now.
I am so restless I could tear my skin off. I want to go outside and play ball or swim or something, but I don't know where to start. I finished my work stuff a little early and my plans fell through for the night, so I have approximately 5 - 7 hours to do NOTHING. Here's how I see a conversation going if one of my physically active or sporty friends were to call me right now:
Friend: "Heeeeyyy Scott! How've you been??"
Me: "Great [insert friend name here]!! I'm glad you called, because I was afraid I was going to eat my computer mouse due of a brief spasm of boredom-induced insanity. Want to play base ball?"
Friend: "SUUUUURRREEE!!! That sounds super! Come over and pick me up and we'll hit up the park! I have 2 mits and a ball."
Me: "WHY AM I STILL TALKING TO YOU???"
Friend: "I know, huh???"
*Click*
Sooooo..... Any takers?? ;)
-Scott
Texting and Other Nonsense
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So I came to a realization today that texting is an extremely convenient tool. While moderation is important, being able to break up simple conversations over the space of a busy day makes it possible to get things done while setting up for future interpersonal interactions.
On a more curious and spiritually relevant front, last night at FHE we saw a CES fireside talk by Elder Bednar, and he was explaining the importance of using our physical bodies properly and recognizing the importance of having a body in the eternal plan of our Heavenly Father. One of the things he pointed out as threats to our bodies were the emphasis we place on virtual interactions and realities that we can easily get sucked into.
After examining my life, I came to find that I miss a lot of the activities I used to engage in as a child. While I had spent plenty of time in front of television screens and such watching my Saturday morning cartoons and what have you, I also remember spending much more time outside playing baseball, swimming, going out with friends, etc. I don't see those kinds of activities happening so often.
I've decided I want that kind of life back.
Having a career that requires the majority of my time to be spent in front of a computer doesn't help, but I recognize that as busy as I am (or many times make myself out to be when in reality it's far from the truth), there's always time for a trip to the gym, a walk in the park, a conversation over hot chocolate, road trips, dates, and other such nonsensical yet relaxing activities. I'm going to make more of an effort to be active and get out of the house more.
It's funny how talking about one subject can morph into something completely different. I love that.
Something that struck me as entertaining but relevant to what Elder Bednar said is a movie that's coming out called Surrogates (based on the graphic novel by Robert Venditti). I highly recommend checking out the trailer.
-Scott
On a more curious and spiritually relevant front, last night at FHE we saw a CES fireside talk by Elder Bednar, and he was explaining the importance of using our physical bodies properly and recognizing the importance of having a body in the eternal plan of our Heavenly Father. One of the things he pointed out as threats to our bodies were the emphasis we place on virtual interactions and realities that we can easily get sucked into.
After examining my life, I came to find that I miss a lot of the activities I used to engage in as a child. While I had spent plenty of time in front of television screens and such watching my Saturday morning cartoons and what have you, I also remember spending much more time outside playing baseball, swimming, going out with friends, etc. I don't see those kinds of activities happening so often.
I've decided I want that kind of life back.
Having a career that requires the majority of my time to be spent in front of a computer doesn't help, but I recognize that as busy as I am (or many times make myself out to be when in reality it's far from the truth), there's always time for a trip to the gym, a walk in the park, a conversation over hot chocolate, road trips, dates, and other such nonsensical yet relaxing activities. I'm going to make more of an effort to be active and get out of the house more.
It's funny how talking about one subject can morph into something completely different. I love that.
Something that struck me as entertaining but relevant to what Elder Bednar said is a movie that's coming out called Surrogates (based on the graphic novel by Robert Venditti). I highly recommend checking out the trailer.
-Scott
Moving Forward
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So I updated the look of the blog with my own design. Even the starfield was made completely by me. I hope you like it!
Today I studied a whole bunch of tutorials on how to create gorgeous-looking planets quickly and without too much hassle, as well as nebulas and stars (All of it is done in Adobe Photoshop with various filters and effects. It's really cool!). It all paid off, as I was able to combine various elements from each tutorial to create my own style and spin on the concepts. I love online support from other designers!!
Well, my laundry's done, it's almost 3am, and I'm still not tired. Nevertheless, I really must go off to bed, so for now, I must bid you all adieu.
-Scott
Today I studied a whole bunch of tutorials on how to create gorgeous-looking planets quickly and without too much hassle, as well as nebulas and stars (All of it is done in Adobe Photoshop with various filters and effects. It's really cool!). It all paid off, as I was able to combine various elements from each tutorial to create my own style and spin on the concepts. I love online support from other designers!!
Well, my laundry's done, it's almost 3am, and I'm still not tired. Nevertheless, I really must go off to bed, so for now, I must bid you all adieu.
-Scott
The Beginning of the End
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Everyone starts somewhere. Some are born crippled while others are born already flying. I must have been born with both genes.
I've never really kept a consistent journal before. Like, a REAL journal. This blog is meant to remedy that. Maybe I'll share thoughts and impressions, maybe I'll show you what I'm working on. Who knows, maybe I'll even show you my tendencies to fail or succeed in various aspects of my life. Most of all, what I hope to accomplish with this is that I can be understood better by those who read what I have to say.
Everyone experiences misunderstandings. Hopefully this blog will give a glimpse into my character and instruct one in the art of understanding the utter humanity of me, Scott Hernandez.
-Scott
I've never really kept a consistent journal before. Like, a REAL journal. This blog is meant to remedy that. Maybe I'll share thoughts and impressions, maybe I'll show you what I'm working on. Who knows, maybe I'll even show you my tendencies to fail or succeed in various aspects of my life. Most of all, what I hope to accomplish with this is that I can be understood better by those who read what I have to say.
Everyone experiences misunderstandings. Hopefully this blog will give a glimpse into my character and instruct one in the art of understanding the utter humanity of me, Scott Hernandez.
-Scott
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