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Testing Kinect2Scratch: Part 2

In our previous post, we explained how we have been testing Stephen Howell's amazing Kinect2Scratch program.  In this movie, one of our students tests the Kinect2Scratch Music game followed by Space Invaders.

In our original test of the Space Invaders game, we were unable to get the shooting action working by raising our arms.  However, after a quick tweet to Stephen Howell, he very kindly published some additions that we were able to add to Scratch in order to get the full functionality.  He also very kindly added a new game, Kinect2Scratch Music, for us to test.  As I set up my computer for the students to test this game, even I had no idea what awaited us!  It was great to share in the excitement with the students!

 

Filed under: Inside the Game Kinect Kinect2Scratch Scratch Stephen Howell games
 

Testing Kinect2Scratch: Part 1

We have spent the past week testing Stephen Howell's amazing software, Kinect2Scratch.  Wow! This is such an exciting development in games creation and, in particular, the use of the Kinect Sensor Camera with one of our favourite free software programs, Scratch.

We have previously used Scratch 4 OpenSim as part of our Virtual Worlds Project and are huge fans of the Scratch software.  Not only has Stephen created Kinect2Scratch but he has also shared a number of games that can be easily modified by altering the Scratch Blocks and their settings.

Our movie shows some students testing the Ball Bounce and Skeleton games.  By installing the regular Scratch program, some additional Kinect software and connecting the Kinect Sensor Camera directly to a PC, we suddenly have an exciting way to not only play games but for learners to easily create their own Kinect games. 

Filed under: Begonia Island Inside the Game Kinect Kinect2Scratch OpenSim Scratch Scratch 4 OpenSim Stephen Howell games
 

Inside the Game

Inside_the_game_desktop
This term, we are very excited to be focusing on games creation and the architecture of games. In future posts, we'll outline aspects of our Inside the Game project in greater detail.  In particular, we are exploring the use of OpenSim, Minecraft, Kodu Game Lab and Kinect2Scratch.  Various activities are taking place in our Senior Library, where interested students from Years 7 to 10 have the opportunity to participate during recess and lunch times.  Having students test various software and work on personal projects is also providing us with valuable information for possible uses in our 2012 curriculum.

So far, our Virtual Worlds Project Team have been exploring "The Architecture of Games" and Kodu Game Lab has been enthusiastically received with students playing and editing Xbox style games with the use of a Windows Controller.

Stay tuned!  There's more to come!

Special thanks to:
The students from Northern Beaches Christian School for their "Minecraft Pixel Art" image
Tara, for her OpenSim creations and
Stephen Howell for sharing his Kinect2Scratch software 

Filed under: Inside the Game Kinect Kinect2Scratch Kodu Game Lab Minecraft OpenSim Stephen Howell games
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