Michael Kimb Jones

I’ve seen the ads and read the reviews of LittleBigPlanet on the PS3 and it just doesn’t seem to do anything for me. I mean, it looks like fun, it seems like a great idea (making and sharing your own games) but I just don’t know if I’d really enjoy it.

Whatever the reason for my ambivalence Microsoft must have noticed LittleBigPlanet’s critical success and decided to emulate this with thier own game – Kodu:

Kodu (formerly known as Boku) 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.

Kodu – Microsoft Research

Kodu seems to have similar features to LittleBigPlanet but with the advantage that you can use your PC to edit and create levels and characters.

I’m not sure if I would go all out and pay £40 for a game like this. It would work better as a £15 Xbox Live Arcade title. But if Microsoft really want to target LittleBigPlanet they will have to use the same marketing activities which Sony are currently using so well and get this game on a shedload of TV ads.