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This week at the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas Microsoft announced that it will release Kodu on the Xbox LIVE Community Games Channel.
 
Originally designed by Microsoft Research as a learning tool for young kids, Kodu is a pick-up-and-create game where players can build their own unique world in just minutes using a simple image-based creator menu that makes game creation simple for anyone. Kodu-created playgrounds are expressed in physical action-reaction terms, using basic concepts like vision, hearing, and time to control your character’s behavior. Players can start their own unique Kodu-created playgrounds from scratch, or if they aren’t in the mood to create, they can choose from several pre-loaded levels for quick play.

“We’ve done everything possible to make sure that creating a Kodu playground is not only easy, but that it is also fun and engaging for people of all ages and backgrounds,” said Matt MacLaurin, Principal Program Manager at Microsoft Research and lead Kodu designer. “Since Kodu's interface is intuitive and prevents common programming mistakes, we’re making it easy for everyone to enjoy the magic of game creation.”

Since its November launch, the Xbox LIVE Community Games Channel, with more than 100 independent, Community-created games available for download, has seen incredible response from both game-makers and consumers. For screenshots and videos of Kodo, visit the XNA Creators Club Online Press Page.