While the moniker of this webiste (as seen hanging ominously above) often causes readers to assume that we are a font of Microsoft biased gushing, we are, in fact, comprised of bloggers with a variety of gaming passions. As such, we have to admit that we're intrigued by the PS3 exclusive build-your-own-platformer Little Big Planet, yet woefully unable to afford the hardware necessary to play it. If you find yourself in the same position, you may find hope in Boku, a new programing tool from Microsoft. Boku allows users to create entire games using an entirely icon-driven system which can be controlled using only an Xbox 360 controller. In other words, Boku offers the promise of XNA (on which the tool is based) without the need for programming knowledge, allowing users of all ages to create their own games.
Most impressive is that it appears Boku can be used to create all kinds of games, including overhead shooters, 2D action, and even 3D platforming. Check out a video of it in action after the break.
The details of exactly how Boku will be released remain unclear, though it's expected launch in some form in 2009.
Ooohhh one full day... wow wee! What was I thinking posting in a site with a bunch of fanboys.
I have both systems so don't even bother flaming with that crap.
@ Sadistic
The point I'm making is, again, if you read you P.O.S is that MS is notorious for copying everyone or buying them out since the beginning when they bought DOS. There are a very few things they have actually done that's "innovative".
He shoulda used "fount".. as a writer, why risk the confusion?
"font" is obviously ambiguous, in particular since the other meaning has become so prevalent in age of computing
I knew about the other use of 'font' , previously, *only* because I had to look it up once. It is becoming antiquated, while 'fount' is still highly suggestive of the underlying meaning
Oh really? How come it's just surfaced now? It says it's a project also. Does that mean it won't happen? Face it, MS business motto is to copy or buy out competition.
Can you give me source on when this was announced prior to LBP?
There's actually video of it from when it was first shown off too. It takes no time to find.
The only difference now is that the release of LBP is giving people fodder to argue about it.
I think these are very different, either way. Even the way MS talks about the purposes of Boku is different. The original idea was just to get kids into programming and they seem to be sticking with that concept.
When somone on your staff is contemplating purchasing a 150$ collectors edition, I think its hard to say they are "woefully unable to afford the hardware necessary".
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 3)
11-03-2008 @ 3:18PM
xenocidic said...
You mean "fount" ?
Reply
11-03-2008 @ 3:23PM
Richard Mitchell said...
Nope. Font.
11-03-2008 @ 3:52PM
xenocidic said...
I gotta respect that you're willing to stand by your typo, unabated by idle trolling =]
11-03-2008 @ 4:12PM
Richard Mitchell said...
Not that it matters, but it isn't a typo.
font
–noun
a productive source: The book is a font of useful tips for travelers.
11-03-2008 @ 4:25PM
xenocidic said...
Never seen it used in that fashion before: I stand corrected.
(I've only ever heard "a fount of ..." etc, i.e. fountain)
Learn something new every day - Thanks X3F!
11-03-2008 @ 5:04PM
DJCUEBALL said...
Ooohhh one full day... wow wee! What was I thinking posting in a site with a bunch of fanboys.
I have both systems so don't even bother flaming with that crap.
@ Sadistic
The point I'm making is, again, if you read you P.O.S is that MS is notorious for copying everyone or buying them out since the beginning when they bought DOS. There are a very few things they have actually done that's "innovative".
I'm done with this shit.
11-03-2008 @ 5:12PM
Andrew said...
Please don't feed the trolls.
Thank you.
11-03-2008 @ 5:22PM
alien said...
He shoulda used "fount".. as a writer, why risk the confusion?
"font" is obviously ambiguous, in particular since the other meaning has become so prevalent in age of computing
I knew about the other use of 'font' , previously, *only* because I had to look it up once. It is becoming antiquated, while 'fount' is still highly suggestive of the underlying meaning
hahahah.. more waste of time for everybody.
BTW, Boku looks awesome, my kids will love it
11-03-2008 @ 3:22PM
DJCUEBALL said...
How sad and pathetic that MS has to copy everyone else yet again. They are so notorious for that. Why can't they come up with more original stuff??
Reply
11-03-2008 @ 3:24PM
PeacefulOutrage said...
Um, this isn't Little Big Planet, it's an easy to use programming programming tool. Which is a lot different than a level editor.
And level editors and programming tools have been released for years. You may want to read or get out more..
11-03-2008 @ 3:28PM
SadisticHam said...
Thing is this was announced several days before LBP.
Now who's copying who?
11-03-2008 @ 3:32PM
DJCUEBALL said...
Oh really? How come it's just surfaced now? It says it's a project also. Does that mean it won't happen? Face it, MS business motto is to copy or buy out competition.
Can you give me source on when this was announced prior to LBP?
11-03-2008 @ 3:42PM
lazygamer said...
OK:
Wired Techfest Demo: Boku (Dated 6th March 2007)
http://blog.wired.com/monkeybites/2007/03/techfest_demo_b.html
Wikipedia: LittleBigPlanet
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Littlebigplanet
"Announced on 7th March 2007"
11-03-2008 @ 3:43PM
SadisticHam said...
Here you go jackass:
http://blog.wired.com/monkeybites/2007/03/techfest_demo_b.html
Little big planet was announced 7th of march, now check the date of that article.
if you did just a bit of research before shouting your mouth off you wouldn't look like such a dumbass.
While we're at it, why don't you look here as well:
http://research.microsoft.com/projects/boku/
Last i checked LBP was a side scrolling game, nothing like what microsoft is doing.
11-03-2008 @ 3:49PM
Tony said...
There's actually video of it from when it was first shown off too. It takes no time to find.
The only difference now is that the release of LBP is giving people fodder to argue about it.
I think these are very different, either way. Even the way MS talks about the purposes of Boku is different. The original idea was just to get kids into programming and they seem to be sticking with that concept.
11-03-2008 @ 4:03PM
Octantis said...
Ooh burn.
11-03-2008 @ 5:13PM
Andrew said...
Please don't feed the trolls.
Thank you.
11-03-2008 @ 3:22PM
PeacefulOutrage said...
Looks cool.
Reply
11-03-2008 @ 3:22PM
ogvor said...
When somone on your staff is contemplating purchasing a 150$ collectors edition, I think its hard to say they are "woefully unable to afford the hardware necessary".
Reply
11-03-2008 @ 3:37PM
Richard Mitchell said...
Well I am unable to, that's for sure.
Not to mention that $150 is a pretty far cry from the $460 (plus tax) it would take to pick up a PS3 and LBP.