Kodu Game Lab
Kodu Game Lab is a 3D game-making environment that introduces basic programming through building games.
What Kodu Game Lab is
Kodu Game Lab is a 3D game-making environment that introduces basic programming through building games. Its tile-based visual language lets creators set character actions and game rules, with code evaluated continuously as the world changes. Users can shape terrain and add characters and props to create their worlds. The maker says it can be used by young children and adults without design or programming skills. Kodu is available on the web and Windows, and the PC version supports keyboard, mouse, and touch input. The site provides training videos, sample lessons, starter worlds, and educator resources. Kodu tiles can interact with BBC micro:bit features, including its accelerometer, buttons, display, and IO pin. The resources page also describes activities for exploring Mars and programming an autonomous rover. Users can download and use Kodu without signing in or supplying personal information. The Windows download is free; its EXE includes the XNA redistributable, while the MSI is intended for system administrators installing through SCCM.
Good
- Free Windows PC download.
- Visual tiles set character behavior and game rules.
- Includes lessons, videos, and starter worlds.
- Tiles can interact with BBC micro:bit features.
Watch out
- No mobile apps.
- Windows download requires DirectX, .NET, and XNA.
- Optional usage information includes hardware, usage, and crash data.
Who it suits
Kodu suits children and adults who want to learn basic programming by building games, including people without prior design or programming skills. Its classroom materials and micro:bit support may also suit educators.
Verdict
Check the Windows requirements and optional usage-data setting before downloading.
Plans and prices
From Kodu Game Lab's own pricing page, checked 8 Oct 2026.
| Plan | Price | What it gives you |
|---|---|---|
| Kodu Game Lab for PC | Free | Windows PC download · .EXE or .MSI installer |
The facts
Each one read from Kodu Game Lab's own pages, with the date it was checked.
What it does
- Audience
- The maker says Kodu can be used by young children and adults without design or programming skills.checked 8 Oct 2026
- Classroom resources
- The site offers training videos, sample lessons, starter worlds, and resources for educators.checked 8 Oct 2026
- Community sharing
- Users can share games through the Community feature; the maker says shared level details include creator name, description, version, and tags.checked 8 Oct 2026
- Input methods
- The PC version supports keyboard, mouse, and touch; Kodu also originated on Xbox 360.checked 8 Oct 2026
- Installer options
- The desktop download page says the EXE includes the XNA redistributable and the MSI is intended for system administrators installing through SCCM.checked 8 Oct 2026
- micro:bit integration
- Kodu tiles can interact with BBC micro:bit features including its accelerometer, buttons, display, and IO pin.checked 8 Oct 2026
- NASA resource
- The resources page describes Kodu: Mars Edition activities for exploring Mars and programming an autonomous rover.checked 8 Oct 2026
- Optional usage data
- The maker says the optional usage information setting collects hardware configuration, usage, and crash information, and can be changed in Kodu’s Options Menu.checked 8 Oct 2026
- Privacy
- The privacy statement says users can download and use Kodu without signing in or providing personal information.checked 8 Oct 2026
- Purpose
- Kodu is a 3D game development environment designed to teach children basic programming principles.checked 8 Oct 2026
- Support
- The maker directs users with questions or support issues to [email protected].checked 8 Oct 2026
- Visual programming
- Its tile-based visual language lets creators program characters and game rules, and the code is evaluated continuously as the game world changes.checked 8 Oct 2026
- World building
- Creators can build terrain and populate their worlds with characters and props.checked 8 Oct 2026
Where it runs
- Windows requirements
- The download page lists Windows 11, 10, 8, 7, and Vista, and requires DirectX 9.0c-compatible graphics, .NET Framework 4.0 or higher, and XNA Framework 4.0 Redistributable.checked 8 Oct 2026
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