KUATO STUDIOS IS BUILDING GAMES FOR LEARNING THAT FEEL LIKE GAMES, NOT LIKE HOMEWORK.
I’m sitting in the carpeted hallway of the Austin Convention Center, playing a game on an iPad. Stereo crashes and echoes fill my earbuds as I wheel through different points of view in a beautifully rendered, three-dimensional, dark and moody landscape. This is the arena where my robot, customized out of spare parts from a virtual junkyard, will fight another robot.
The game is called Hakitzu. It’s out this week, the first release from Kuato Studios, a startup based in London and Palo Alto that has assembled a formidable developer team, including SRI, the people who built the iPhone’s Siri, and game designers formerly from Sony Playstation, Idea Works, Blitz, Konami, and more. But Hakitzu isn’t just another versus fighter. Instead of using a touchpad or other controller to play, I have to type in a set of command lines that tell the robot what to do: walk forward, walk back, turn around, and so on. Without really knowing it, I’m learning to code Javascript while I fight. Kuato is trying to redefine what learning games are by making the game come first.
Make It Fun
Frank Meehan, the British founder of Kuato, says, "We talk to lots of parents, as well as the kids themselves," he said. "Dads are like: do they have to do games? Can’t they just do learning? And mums are like, but is it fun? They know kids better. They see time and time again some sort of learning program or app given to kids, and the kid is bored after 10 minutes. If you don’t make this thing fun, there’s just no point."
ENGAGE ALL THE SENSES
"The kids tell us they like gaming--the achievements, rewards, challenges, puzzles," says Meehan. "But the current stuff they look at is poorly done. It looks like something out of 1999." His development team, who’s worked on the Playstation Home platform, games like Call of Duty: Zombies, and films like Titan AE, created a 3-D game with handcolored backgrounds and atmospheric soundscapes.
Their lead educator, David Miller, a former Teacher of the Year in the U.K., has a humanities background and was known for creating rich multimedia presentations to help put across the message of, say, a Robert Frost poem. "You can’t really learn unless there’s an emotional engagement," he says, and aesthetics--imagery, sound--are an important part of that. "This is what real teaching should be: the richest use of media as a way to understanding something."
TEACH WHAT KIDS WANT TO LEARN
Besides the motivation to build and fight robots, says Meehan, learning games have to cover topics that kids are actually interested in, and that aren’t covered well in the traditional curriculum. "We went around and asked loads of kids, how do you want to learn, and what do you want to learn? They told us, I want to learn to code--make apps, movies, games, things like 3-D rendering and Photoshop, and science was really big as well." So those areas are where Kuato focused its efforts.
EMBRACE ALL TECHNOLOGIES
"We wanted to be the first proper learning to code game that’s hit mobile," says Meehan. But his vision doesn’t stop there. Kuato’s big idea is to advance current technologies to create a virtual, artificially intelligent personal tutor that practically passes the Turing test, and could be used to teach anyone anything they want to know, in any domain of knowledge. Their first AI game, debuting later this year, features a girl crashlanding in an Enterprise-like spaceship. Her computer is damaged and because of the First Law of Robotics, can’t repair itself. So she must hack her way in and fix the computer before she runs out of oxygen. The computer in the game uses conversational AI to help guide the player.
Kuato plans to release an API in further iterations of the game, so that any knowledge domain can be programmed in: the challenges may include biology (learn about the life forms on a new planet so you can farm food and defend yourself), chemistry, or even foreign languages and poetry. "We’re trying to distill a teacher’s intelligence and empathy into a machine and lead a child towards learning a concept," says Miller. "We’re working really hard with the AI people in order to create an intelligence that mimicks a teacher’s encouragement and feedback. That’s the end goal. Games should be about the experience of learning, rather than the experience of being taught."
[IMAGE: Hands with Gamepad via Shutterstock]
Article from Fast Company Co.Design
http://www.fastcodesign.com/1672232/a-videogame-that-teaches-kids-to-code
In all honesty, I think designing a game is a better way to learn how to code, but actually playing a game in order to learn sounds way more fun! I've been coding since the 6th grade and I enjoy doing it, but this new way of coding sounds a lot more interesting and interactive. Also, kids might enjoy it more than just regular coding.
ReplyDeleteThe other way to learn coding sounds really fun and cool but I don't think I would learn too much compared to coding in flash . Because your actually making the game from the ground instead of just having a game already there .
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ReplyDeleteI honestly think that designing a video game is a more complex way of learning how to code. When we have everything set up infront of us we usually think that we dont have to do as much thinking because it is all set for us. But in our case that we have to create everything from scratch the we know how our actual outcome would be and how we actually improve with experience.
ReplyDeletelearning how to code by playing a game rather than by designing a game is different because when your playing, the game is already made, also, when your designing, you have a real life teacher to help you. Personally, I think designing a game is the best way to learn how to code.
ReplyDeleteThe way the game is played is different when you are learning to code. There aren't buttons you press to run jump and fight, you have to fill in the code so that the action you wish is executed.I believe that designing a game is the best way to learn.I would rather design a game then go back and fix my mistakes because when I try it again I would be trying with more knowledge.
ReplyDeleteI think that when you learn by playing a video game it is first of all more fun and interesting. I think that it is easier to learn when you enjoy what you are learning, because this way not only do you want to learn and master it but you even want to learn more. I think that the best way is by playing a game then actually creating one because it just sounds more fun and would also be something that I would be interested to do and learn. However creating a game is also a great way to learn and really see how the game is created but I would still say learning the code by a video game is the best way.
ReplyDeleteIn my opinion I think that the new way of making code it sounds really fun. But in the other hand I think that you are not really learning the whole idea of knowing how to code. For example in flash we are starting from nothing and creating something new. Like in the new way to code the game is make already is not like your able to designing it exactly how you want it.
ReplyDeleteI think that playing A game to learn to code is more fun than designing a game to learn to code. But whena you design agame to learn to code you can then see what you created at the end. You will feel proud of yourself and see that you could do somenthing you thought you couldn't do. for me I think that the two ways are good.
ReplyDeleteWow. That is crazy . Usually adults say that it's videogames and television that fries a kids brain. But now we can learn things from it and not get bored or ever getting tired of it.
ReplyDeleteWell It sounds like fun to play and the concept of learn how to code to play, but I can already imagine the game being simple and slow paced, this game was targeted for kids. In this game your gonna need a set of skills to win the game. 1-good memory and 2- you have to type quick. Kids will get bored typing and typing and typing because they are not used to typing a code to move they usually press the left or right button to move. "We went around and asked loads of kids, how do you want to learn, and what do you want to learn? They told us, I want to learn to code--make apps, movies, games, things like 3-D rendering and Photoshop, and science was really big as well."
ReplyDeleteYes we hear this a lot online kids want to learn how to make games but what when they actually get to know what it takes and what you need in order to make a game they are most likely gonna quit on that idea. Same thing with apps, movies, rendering and photoshop. I could be wrong maybe kids will love coding to play the game.
This looks like a great concept (at least, to me it does), but three things are going to bog it down:
ReplyDelete1. This game is probably going to cost (at first) at least $5 dollars (that's a lot, even for a HD game with Unreal Engine 3)
2. It will not run on iPhones or iPod Touches.
3. The intended audience would probably play something else (like Modern Combat 4, or Cut the Rope)
Good luck Kuato Studios.
Really I think that designing a game rather than playing one is better at teaching code. I think that because you are actually making the game you comprehend the logic behind the code. While playing a game is just putting down limited amount of code that is only centered around making the player do what you want it to do, instead of comprehending the hole thing behind the code. I say that learning how to design games is better and that playing games where you have to code is not that effective...
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I think that his app would be highly effective in teaching kids how to code, not only because it focuses on code to do everything in the game, but also because it's a fun way for them to learn the subject. Ultimately, if they learn to code through a videogame, it's different because of the level of interaction that they are actually getting, as opposed to creating a game. They are able to learn the process of coding while getting feedback from the game itself, which makes it that much better than sitting at your computer and trying to get your game to work.They also are able to use their critical thinking skills to apply the code they learn, integrating that knowledge even more!
ReplyDeleteI am glad that people are now saying that you can learn things from playing a video game.I think that laying the game instead of making a game is more fun.
ReplyDeleteI think is great to have something to learn about in games. I think its better to code a game than just play it over and over again.
ReplyDeleteI think it's better to learn how to write by playing a game because it would be a lot more fun. I think I would learn code better by playing a game and I've only been writing code since last year.
ReplyDeleteIn my opinion I think that designing your game Is way funner than looking at one and figuring out what the code Is.But my personal opinion Is that I'd would like to make my own game with nobody else telling me what the code Is.And I think that making the game Is going to be funner!!!!!!!!!!!! :)
ReplyDeleteI think this game will be good for beginner's in flash or other elements that have to do with coding.I would like to try this game.
ReplyDeleteWell in my opinion the best way is normal coding because you get to design your own game but the other way sounds more funner than normal coding.
ReplyDeleteI think it is a great that you can code a game and not just play it is also more fun to play it than to make it.
ReplyDeleteThis game looks interesting. But the coding can be difficult for other kids...because some wont be able to type faster than others.
ReplyDeleteLearning code for games is very hard and frustrating.To be able to learn code by playing and enjoying a game is amazing. It's just a funner and more exiting way of learning something that's hard ,like gaming.To Wanna play games all day is everyone's dream , and now it can come true because , we can learn from it . :)
ReplyDeleteI think that making a game is fun because you don't have to figure out the code.
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ReplyDeleteI think The game will be really fun for the people that get in to ames like that.Robot games are not my thing
ReplyDeleteI think that this is a good and fun way of learning code and that this would really help with beginers in flash.
ReplyDeleteI think its beater to learn by playing a video game because wean you play the game you are going to see what the game needs and what you can make to make it beater.
ReplyDeleteI think is better to playing a game and learning from it because its going to be more fun to figure it out by playing another game than creating it your self.
ReplyDeleteLearning a code when designing and playing the videogame it is not that different than how we make are games but are first step is to drawn out are game then put any code we think are game would need the best way of learning is by making a game although if u are starting as a rookie u need to take the steps by experience u then to play other games and make new ideas.
ReplyDeleteI think its half and half. Although it might be fun playing and learning the codes, people might want to figure out the codes themselves.
ReplyDeleteFor entertaining I'd pick the coding game.
For learning and testing your coding skills I'd pick regular coding from scratch.
Well to me designing a game is more helpful than just playing one because when your playing a game you do not take in any of the code. When your designing a game you put the ingredients in there you know whats going into there. It's different playing a video game and taking in the code because you can't visually see the code like you would designing it.
ReplyDeleteYou don't have to think really have to go to lots of stuff to figure out the code why not just play a game about it.
ReplyDeleteThe game looks fun to play but it looks hard but the coding could be hard for others.
ReplyDeleteWhat I think is different about learning how to code is that coding is a type of language that can't be hacked easily.I think the best way to learn, game wise, is actually playing a game.
ReplyDeleteThat's cool that you get to control with the codes to control every movement in the game.
ReplyDeleteI want to try this game it looks kind of fun since you can control every robot movement in the game.
ReplyDeleteWell my opinion is that yes it is fun way and you might learn something but and fun, but you would learn better and it will actually teach you something and you would learn and no what they are for.
ReplyDeleteI think it's better to learn how to write by playing a game because you think your just playing but your actually learning to and since i"m not good at code in game so i think it will help me a little.
ReplyDeleteWhat I think is that making your own game you have to memories allots of codes and you have organize it how you want your game to be like. But if your making your own game you have to create everything the way you want so people can come and play the game you creating .
ReplyDeleteI think designing a game is more learning than playing a game because playing a game u cant learn from it.
ReplyDeleteI think this is cool that we don't have to use code to make a game. You can use your own coding to create your game how you you would like it.
ReplyDeleteI so want to play that game it would be a dream if they had a online free sign up and play. My favorit part about this article was that you can type in codes and the codes will give you power or something if I played that game I would never come off of it until I beat a level then I would have a small little break and go back to playing again. That game rocks I hope they make a online free sign up and play.
ReplyDeleteI really think it is a great idea.It teaches kids and it is really fun to play.It is fun and educational.
ReplyDeleteI think it would be a little more fun than just doing it.I think the better way it to play videogames.
ReplyDeleteI think that designing a game is way better than playing a game. The simple reason is designing help you understand the concept of the game and you learn what you need to do to make your own game. Playing the game is really just knowing how to win. This game will be very interesting for me and it sounds really fun!!!!
ReplyDeleteI would want to learn this way because for me when i learn things i have to do them visually or hands on.So I think this seems like a good idea.
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ReplyDeleteI think it would be more easier to play a game than putting in the codeing.Because that would take alot of time.But it would be really educational for people who want to do the codeing.
ReplyDeleteI think the game will be extremely boring to the player for the reason that I believe it is more sufficient to teach or learn about coding while making a game instead of playing a game.
ReplyDeleteLearning code for games is very hard and frustrating.To be able to learn code by playing and enjoying a game is awesome.
ReplyDeleteFirst off..... Happy Earth Day! And second, I think making a game is fun. Especially using code, but I still have trouble with the code, well I get confused with the code, so when I learn how to use it...... I believe I will have more fun with making games than I am now. I believe designing a game is more is both learning and playing, but mostly playing because you can have fun and put things together until you get it right, so that is the playful part to me. 004.0022.0013
ReplyDeleteI truly do think coding a video game is better
ReplyDeleteIn my opinion after all I read I think this is pretty cool and it looks like fun not like other games which you grow tied of after playing it for just ten minutes.
ReplyDeleteLearning code for games is very hard and frustrating.To be able to learn code by playing and enjoying a game is amazing. It's just a Better and more exiting way of learning something that's hard ,like gaming.To Wanna play games and learn something interesting is awesome and a creative way to learn, it also keeps your parents away.They cant say you don't learn form video games so to me it is an over all good idea.
ReplyDeleteI think it would be cool because it's a little bit more entertaining. I think it would be better to play the game
ReplyDeleteI think learning how to code by a video game is different because you get to have fun by learning. Sometimes learning how to code by making your own game can be very hard. I think that are both good ways to learn how to code. But I would go with playing a game because to can play that game over and over. Plus you can learn it faster because you have to keep typing the code to play the game.
ReplyDeleteI think designing a game is much more important than playing the game
ReplyDeleteI think that either way, designing or playing the game, you are learning code, so it really doesn't matter which you do if your goal is to learn code. But I know I would rather play a game than design it.
ReplyDeleteI think it is different because you actually see each motion and graphics through your own eyes and are playing the game to learn. I think for me it would be to play the video game and learn as I go and new ideas while playing the game.
ReplyDeleteI think learning through a video game will be better because it will be fun and more kids will be interested in learning
ReplyDeleteThe difference is that you actually hack it and they give you the coding.
ReplyDeleteI think that it wade be easier if you daren't have to put codes.
ReplyDeleteI like the game it looks cool I like how you have to put in your own coding instead of looking at the same buttons over an over. I think the game is gonna be fun so far.
ReplyDeleteI think the best way to learn code would be a fighting game. I mean that's what kids like the most, so if you put into a game, kids would be more likely to play it and learn. They wouldn't even know that they are learning. I like that they did that cos I like fighting and the kids would be determined to win and the only way to do that would be to WRITE in the code. So, I like the code fighting. It's a very good idea.
ReplyDeleteI think this game is pretty cool. I like how you can put your own coding instead of looking at there buttons. I think the game is going to be alright.
ReplyDeleteI think this game is really good for us.Because most of us get stock on the Code.I think its cool that you can make your own code that can help you win the game.I want this GAME!!!
ReplyDeleteI think that learning to code though a designing a game is better because you get to do what you want to do and that you get to make it the way you want to instead of the way that the actual coders and designers want you to.
ReplyDeleteI think the difference is although they are hands on I think playing the game would be a little more hands on. It really depends on people and which way it suits them, but I would have to say the game would probably be better for me.
ReplyDeleteIt is very cool and makes sense that you need to code to make the robot move, but it kind of seems tedious constantly having to code just to move and attack.
ReplyDeleteI think it was a good idea that they made a game like this. Because it sometimes gets hard and its not much fun. But with this new game idea is a fun way to learn and to have fun at the same time.
ReplyDeleteWell, this seems, cheesy! Learning how to code, is actually fun, but adding it to a video game, it seems fun! Although, I would have to say that designing a game is a much better way to learn coding, rather actually playing it through video games. Well all I can say right now is, "I'm looking forward for Hakitzu!'''
ReplyDeleteThere aren't buttons you press to run jump and fight in this game, you have to fill in the code so that the action you want is executed. Honesty, I think designing a game is a better than to learn how to code, but actually playing a game in order to learn sounds fun. I've been coding for a while and I kinda enjoy doing it, but this is new coding and it sounds a lot more Fun and interactive. Also, people that play this game might enjoy it more than just regular coding.
ReplyDeleteCoding while playing a game sounds very crazy because you would never think of making the game while your playing it. I think that the way you play without putting in the code is better because people will not be used to play in that particular kind of situation
ReplyDeleteWow ! Well let me start of saying kids are going to love this game . Well this game is going to be different because in a regular game everything is all programmed , and this is one your going to program it yourself which is really cool . In my opinion the best way to learn code is to do your own game design because , you recognize the code that your putting in your own game , and in a game that already design there might be other much difficult that you have no idea what it's for . I think this is a really good game it's going to teach a lot of kids about coding and technology it's going to be a real fun interesting game with an educational twist .
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Learning how to code differs far from playing a game where you learn how to code. Since coding doesn't require speed, this game is kind of useless. I guess it helps out with the remembrance of the code so the code could snap int their head like that. Designing a game yourself would teach you better because it is sort of like starting from scratch besides it having it semi finished for you.
ReplyDeleteI think that it is really cool that the kids would like to learn how to put codes on the games that they would like to create & what codes to put.I t is also cool that the students like to create apps & more things.In my point of view I believe that it is really cool that kids of a certain age would like to create games so other people can play those games that the kids would like to create.
ReplyDeleteIn my opinion this is a really good idea learning how to code is really simple depending on what you want to make work and there is also the fact that if you mess one single thing up then the whole thing is gonna crash so overall you have to be care full and its good that we have more ways to be helped for coding.
ReplyDeleteThis is one thing that I can agree that I wish i would have done this.I think that designing a video game is a more complex and interesting way of learning how to code.Well It sounds like fun to play and the concept of learn how to code to play but I can already imagine the game being slow paced this game was for kids.I can really say that this is a good way to get a concept to people.I would love to have this game.
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ReplyDeleteHello
I think it's much more entertaining when you learn how to code by playing video games. If this was the situation, everybody would love it and be experts at coding. I would say it's less difficult to learn that way. Kids love playing video games, and this would be a great opportunity for them.
I think that its going to be exspensive
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