For a wannabe game developer, the path to becoming one is both harder, and easier, than it ever was. While the technological barrier to entry is higher than ever, programmes such as Microsoft's XNA and Xbox Live?Indie Games are providing new easy routes of entry.
The thing is, says Kodu program leader and lead designer Matt MacLaurin, they all provide very different results to what kids are used to seeing on consoles.
"You can go and tell kids that they can make games, but if they're just moving GIFs around the screen, it's like a gaming ghetto. We wanted something where kids could make things that were as cool as, and that had the production values of, things that they'd buy."
