Build your own video game

BY MIKE WILCOX

Last updated 05:00 28/08/2009

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Whether you've had a lifelong ambition or recent passion to try your hand at making a video game, don't be put off by the multimillion-dollar budgets and legion of skilled minions most game projects require.

Microsoft's DreamSpark program, which has been running in Australia since late last year, offers students access to more than a dozen software design and development tools, including Visual Studio and XNA Game Studio, which are used by game developers to create PC and console titles.

Microsoft's Andrew Parsons, whose job is to inform teachers and students about DreamSpark, says schools and universities "have been decking out their computer labs with Xbox 360s in order to teach their students video game programming, which is really reinvigorating their interest in IT".

Aspiring game developers no longer in the education system can access the XNA Game Studio software by signing up to Microsoft's XNA Creators Club online. This is free to join, though those with paid membership can share and sell any created games through the console's online store, the Xbox Live Marketplace.

However, while premium XNA club members in Australia and New Zealand can create and share games using the free PC development software, the Xbox online service in New Zealand doesn't carry the Xbox Live Indie Games channel, where all user-created titles are hosted.

An announcement about an Australian launch is expected later this year. Microsoft could not confirm a date for a New Zealand launch.

When the service does arrive, Xbox owners in this country will have access to Kodu Game Lab, another tool that has just been released. The software is designed to give children the opportunity to create video games using an Xbox 360.

"It takes away all of the complexity of writing lines of code," Mr Parsons explains, "and uses graphics and friendly menus similar to those featured in video games, so kids pick it up incredibly quickly."

Using the Xbox controller, players can create game environments with pre-built 3D objects and characters, then, using Kodu's intuitive system, tell the elements how to interact with each other. Games can be shared freely with friends who also have Kodu on their Xbox 360.

The senior programming lecturer at the Academy of Interactive Entertainment, Ted Hung, sees Kodu's benefit for independent game developers.

"I think tools like XNA and Kodu ... bring the barrier of entry down and allow anyone to develop games without spending a million dollars to do it ... anything that can get people interested in delving deeper into games development, I think, is a good thing

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