Watch out Little Big Planet, here comes Microsoft's Boku

by Richard Mitchell { Nov 3rd 2008 at 3:15PM }

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.

[Via Joystiq]

Tags: boku, xna

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)

xenocidic @ Nov 3rd 2008 3:18PM

You mean "fount" ?

Richard Mitchell @ Nov 3rd 2008 3:23PM

Nope. Font.

xenocidic @ Nov 3rd 2008 3:52PM

I gotta respect that you're willing to stand by your typo, unabated by idle trolling =]

Richard Mitchell @ Nov 3rd 2008 4:12PM

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.

xenocidic @ Nov 3rd 2008 4:25PM

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!

DJCUEBALL @ Nov 3rd 2008 5:04PM

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.

Andrew @ Nov 3rd 2008 5:12PM

Please don't feed the trolls.

Thank you.

alien @ Nov 3rd 2008 5:22PM

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

DJCUEBALL @ Nov 3rd 2008 3:22PM

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??

PeacefulOutrage @ Nov 3rd 2008 3:24PM

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..

SadisticHam @ Nov 3rd 2008 3:28PM

Thing is this was announced several days before LBP.

Now who's copying who?

DJCUEBALL @ Nov 3rd 2008 3:32PM

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?

lazygamer @ Nov 3rd 2008 3:42PM

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"

SadisticHam @ Nov 3rd 2008 3:43PM

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.

Tony @ Nov 3rd 2008 3:49PM

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.

Octantis @ Nov 3rd 2008 4:03PM

Ooh burn.

Andrew @ Nov 3rd 2008 5:13PM

Please don't feed the trolls.

Thank you.

PeacefulOutrage @ Nov 3rd 2008 3:22PM

Looks cool.

ogvor @ Nov 3rd 2008 3:22PM

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".

Richard Mitchell @ Nov 3rd 2008 3:37PM

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.

Alex @ Nov 3rd 2008 4:10PM

$150?
Pah! £150, now THAT's real money. £150 spent on GH:WT, I am guilty.

joeybeast @ Nov 3rd 2008 3:35PM

Boku doesn't have the level of polish LBP has, not yet at least.

JerkfacedFed @ Nov 3rd 2008 7:34PM

you are a total retard.

little big planet is a jumping (platform) game where you can modify maps.

boku is a image based programming tool

THEY ARE NOTHING ALIKE AT ALL

x silence x @ Nov 3rd 2008 3:38PM

Other then allowing users to create, this has nothing to do with LBP.

the mafia @ Nov 3rd 2008 3:47PM

Heh heh heh, This is a copy of LBP, just think for a second.. Fanboys. Someone who's not a fanboy of any console give a comment.

Tony @ Nov 3rd 2008 3:50PM

I think the better thing would be for you to read the comments above yours. There's nothing less fanboyish than facts, dates and video lol.

Doc @ Nov 3rd 2008 4:08PM

I try and not be a fanboy for either camp, but after reading the MS project page for it...

http://research.microsoft.com/projects/boku/

The first few sentences pretty much give it away. It's a "visual programming language" aimed at getting kids interested in in programming.

That sounds like a totally different premise from LBP. One is essentially a "create your own platformer" game and the other is a level editor with educational focus.

Just because you can create things in both and both are open ended doesn't mean they're the same things. Geez. Everyone take a drink and calm down.

helghast102 @ Nov 3rd 2008 3:54PM

looks like a Net Yaroze ripoff, sony needs to pick that back up for PS3 tho, it would be epicness

Vannoy @ Nov 3rd 2008 4:27PM

Why not just install Linux on your PS3 and hook a keyboard and mouse up to it? Instant-Net Yaroze epicness..

In reality tho, your comment is stupid and misguided.. Net Yaroze is still totally different then Boku.

Repxind0 @ Nov 4th 2008 1:37AM

Damnnn.. I am currently in my 2nd year Game Design and Development and we are learning XNA/C#. This boku thing makes it useless..

Max @ Nov 3rd 2008 4:18PM

HAHAHAHA!!!!................................no

Jonman @ Nov 3rd 2008 4:20PM

"Boku" sounds like the kind of thing I shouldn't be typing in Google while at work.

Neuromancer @ Nov 3rd 2008 4:35PM

I think you're thinking of bukkake...

Jonman @ Nov 3rd 2008 5:01PM

Now I am. Thanks a bunch.

NukeAssault @ Nov 3rd 2008 5:36PM

I lold.

Andrew @ Nov 3rd 2008 4:22PM

Woefully unable to afford?

Add a network adapter, hard drive, rechargeable batterty packs, and a live subscription and you will have spent just as much (probably more) on a 360, to get what a PS3 already does.

... or just have fun with your arcade.

DJcube @ Nov 3rd 2008 4:29PM

If you care about online then you'll have a version with a HDD. Most people don't seem to have a problem with a wired connection, cheap rechargeable are perfectly fine and Live is worth it.

In the end, though, it's just about which games you prefer.

Neuromancer @ Nov 3rd 2008 4:36PM

I have both systems, sorry but the PS3's online capability is no where near where Xbox Live is at.

JCarpio @ Nov 3rd 2008 4:53PM

Um, so Richard can't afford it right now. So what?

It wasn't a fanboy slam, it's just simple economics.

ZombiesRPplsToo @ Nov 3rd 2008 4:33PM

i will definitely be paying attention to this one..

DrizzleNuts @ Nov 3rd 2008 5:33PM

I have to laugh at those claiming a lbp ripoff.Ill have you know nothing lbp did was original.There were rpg makers and level editors long before lbp.Boku is a game design tool that gets kids interested and ready for future game development.

What this means is microsoft actually cares for the future of gaming and wants to make it easier and get more involved.

This is light years ahead of lbp in the sense your creating your own game not just a level within a game.

As far as not being able to afford a ps3 i think the majority of 360 owners could afford a ps3 including myself.As a matter of fact i got my 360 after ps3 launched and i payed 400 for my 360.

Regardless of what any idiotic fanboys say.The 360 is the better console the full 360 degrees and theres no way for sony and its fanboys to get around that.

Why cant you accept the fact that sony failed and let it go.Move on from this and learn your lesson get a 360 theres no point in you suffering any longer.

I have to laugh at how you guys keep lying to yourselfs claiming your exclusives have better graphix and psn is better than live its really sad and pathetic.

i was in one thread today were someone said that uncharted looked better than any 360 exclusive and that kz2 looks better than gears2 lmao just really sad.

tboy123 @ Nov 4th 2008 1:06AM

How can you say Sony has failed? LOL. You are clearly pathetic. Their system has been out for two years compared to 360 3 years... and their hardware sales are only about 4mil apart. For a year difference, and price difference, I would say that is pretty good.

Many people say that Uncharted looks better than any Xbox exclusive, and it does (for now). But Gears 2 is looking pretty good, they MIGHT be equal. As for KZ2, I am not sure how it looks.

When it comes down to purchasing a system, it all comes down to what the customer wants. So to tell someone to buy an Xbox is completely STUPID! I got PS3 for these reasons:
RFOM, R2, Uncharted, Warhawk, MGS4, GT5, LBP, KZ2, free online, blu-ray, and the Pixel Junk games... they are addictive!

Does 360 have ANY of these?

I would love to get a 360 for Gears.. maybe Fable. But what other good games are there? And which ones are not on the PC that I could pick up for much cheaper?

Even at $199, I cannot justify an Xbox 360 purchase. (especially because I would want to play online)

Blaze463 @ Nov 4th 2008 2:38AM

You done?

robotoid @ Nov 3rd 2008 5:55PM

I don't know if it's meant to be just a programming tool disguised as a game/level editor, or an actual make-your-own-level LBP kinda game. but if it's the latter, it's certainly missing the polish, detail, and charm of littlebigplanet, probably cause it's more focused on the programming side? anyways, as a tool it looks powerful, but as a "game" it's missing a lot, so I don't think it's fair to compare it to LBP, it has probably a totally different objective.

JerkfacedFed @ Nov 3rd 2008 7:32PM

editor richard mitchel: you are a fucking idiot for even mentioning little big planet and boku in the same sentence.

#1 boku is a PROGRAMMING LANGUAGE and little big planet is a platform game!!!!!!!!!!

#2 you started a flame war for the other retards like you who dont actually read the articles they blog about!!!!

boku is a genius little app for young aspiring game creators and has NOTHING TO DO WITH OR COMPETE WITH A GAME WHERE YOU CAN ONLY CREATE MAPS

EDIT THE ARTICLE HEADLINE