*all updated added at the bottom. 
So we've had a decent amount of information over the last few months on Project Spark, and I've seen in a few topics where people would like to learn more about it. So I'm making this thread to try and concentrate all the current videos and info is one spot for people to learn about it and discuss what we like about it, questions we might have, or what you want to see or create. Also with the Beta coming out on Windows 8 in a little over a month, I think it's a good time to get people thinking about this game.
So, what is Project Spark?
Spark is an open world sandbox game, made by Team Dakota, for you to create and explore anything you'd like. You can change and manipulate almost anything to your liking, from the landscape, to a character or even a rock's behavior, to the game style and perspective, to anything and everything in between. You want to make a side-scrolling platfomer? Go right ahead. Prefer turn-based RPG's? make one how you think they should be made.
You can make it as simple or complex as you're willing to go. To start easy and simple, you can go into Crossroads mode and it will give you options on building a world, and give you gameplay objectives that you can drop into the game and then play them. You can go and edit this game that it helped you create at any time, so it's a nice way to get into the idea of creating. When you're ready to let your imagination run wild you can go into a blank slate and have at it.
It's also important to know that everything that you put into the world has a 'brain'. In the 'brains' is where you can change behaviors, hit points, if they're good or attack you, dialogue, etc. There are default brains for enemies in the game, but if you are wanting different behaviors you can edit them with a little coding. The coding is what they are calling Kodu 2.0, which is basically a visual coding method that has a 'when this happens' 'do ___' setup.
Project Spark Videos
The first video for Spark, Explains a little of what it is about.
First community montage video from E3. Shows games that were all made in the game, and no special dev tools.
Second montage video from gamescom.
From gamescom. Shows the newly announced ability to motion capture, and voice-over with kinect
Longer, more in-depth 40+min. videos
First Twitch live-stream. Shows how the sculpting tools work, and creating land and water.
Second live-stream. They make a small tower defense game from scratch in this video.
Third live-stream. They make a small adventure game, and show things like making health bars, making a leveling up system, and portals.
FAQ
Q. Is the world really limitless?
A. Technically yes. They've said one world can be 5 km by 5 km so 25 square km (Skyrim is 35). If that's not enough, world's can be connected, so if you want an Over-world, and then have a dungeon that you enter, that dungeon could be 25 sq. km too. So really running out of space isn't an issue.
Q. How are some of the crazy objects made in this game?
A. Most objects can be 'unglued' and taken apart, from that you can build and construct anything you'd like, and have it function how you program it to.
Q. Can cinematics or cut-scenes be made?
A. Yes you can make cut-scenes with dialogue and actions. They've also stated that people have created 10-20 minute movies with this game, so you don't necessarily make a game. Also with the use of kinect recently announced, you can motion capture your actions, face movements, and voice and apply them to a troll, goblin, human, or whatever. They've also said that there will be voice mixers so you can make your voice sound like a troll.
Q. What platforms will this be on, and can we interact across platforms?
A. It is coming to Windows 8, XB 360, and the XB1. A game you make on XB1 can be played by someone on the 360 or W8, so any game that you publish can be played by all platforms. Furthermore, If you're good at making environments and a friend is good at programming brains, you can both contribute to a project and when you put the game out there it will mention everyone who contributed to it.
Q. When does the closed beta start?
A. The Windows 8 closed beta will start in October, and the XB1 beta will be in January. There isn't a 360 beta planned at this point. Apply to get into the beta here!
Q. Ok, how much is this awesome game gonna cost me?
A. This game will be free to play, so only your time and brain power. There was talks of possible dlc to add more object and themes later on, but the main game is free.
Spark's twiiter
Spark's facebook
Spark's sub-form on Reddit
**Updates**
new pre-pax video, shows some character customization, awesome level linking, and a pretty funny ending: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bR_S7T6XyKs
live stream from 9/13/13
So we've had a decent amount of information over the last few months on Project Spark, and I've seen in a few topics where people would like to learn more about it. So I'm making this thread to try and concentrate all the current videos and info is one spot for people to learn about it and discuss what we like about it, questions we might have, or what you want to see or create. Also with the Beta coming out on Windows 8 in a little over a month, I think it's a good time to get people thinking about this game.
So, what is Project Spark?
Spark is an open world sandbox game, made by Team Dakota, for you to create and explore anything you'd like. You can change and manipulate almost anything to your liking, from the landscape, to a character or even a rock's behavior, to the game style and perspective, to anything and everything in between. You want to make a side-scrolling platfomer? Go right ahead. Prefer turn-based RPG's? make one how you think they should be made.
You can make it as simple or complex as you're willing to go. To start easy and simple, you can go into Crossroads mode and it will give you options on building a world, and give you gameplay objectives that you can drop into the game and then play them. You can go and edit this game that it helped you create at any time, so it's a nice way to get into the idea of creating. When you're ready to let your imagination run wild you can go into a blank slate and have at it.
It's also important to know that everything that you put into the world has a 'brain'. In the 'brains' is where you can change behaviors, hit points, if they're good or attack you, dialogue, etc. There are default brains for enemies in the game, but if you are wanting different behaviors you can edit them with a little coding. The coding is what they are calling Kodu 2.0, which is basically a visual coding method that has a 'when this happens' 'do ___' setup.
Project Spark Videos
The first video for Spark, Explains a little of what it is about.
First community montage video from E3. Shows games that were all made in the game, and no special dev tools.
Second montage video from gamescom.
From gamescom. Shows the newly announced ability to motion capture, and voice-over with kinect
Longer, more in-depth 40+min. videos
First Twitch live-stream. Shows how the sculpting tools work, and creating land and water.
Second live-stream. They make a small tower defense game from scratch in this video.
Third live-stream. They make a small adventure game, and show things like making health bars, making a leveling up system, and portals.
FAQ
Q. Is the world really limitless?
A. Technically yes. They've said one world can be 5 km by 5 km so 25 square km (Skyrim is 35). If that's not enough, world's can be connected, so if you want an Over-world, and then have a dungeon that you enter, that dungeon could be 25 sq. km too. So really running out of space isn't an issue.
Q. How are some of the crazy objects made in this game?
A. Most objects can be 'unglued' and taken apart, from that you can build and construct anything you'd like, and have it function how you program it to.
Q. Can cinematics or cut-scenes be made?
A. Yes you can make cut-scenes with dialogue and actions. They've also stated that people have created 10-20 minute movies with this game, so you don't necessarily make a game. Also with the use of kinect recently announced, you can motion capture your actions, face movements, and voice and apply them to a troll, goblin, human, or whatever. They've also said that there will be voice mixers so you can make your voice sound like a troll.
Q. What platforms will this be on, and can we interact across platforms?
A. It is coming to Windows 8, XB 360, and the XB1. A game you make on XB1 can be played by someone on the 360 or W8, so any game that you publish can be played by all platforms. Furthermore, If you're good at making environments and a friend is good at programming brains, you can both contribute to a project and when you put the game out there it will mention everyone who contributed to it.
Q. When does the closed beta start?
A. The Windows 8 closed beta will start in October, and the XB1 beta will be in January. There isn't a 360 beta planned at this point. Apply to get into the beta here!
Q. Ok, how much is this awesome game gonna cost me?
A. This game will be free to play, so only your time and brain power. There was talks of possible dlc to add more object and themes later on, but the main game is free.
Spark's twiiter
Spark's facebook
Spark's sub-form on Reddit
**Updates**
new pre-pax video, shows some character customization, awesome level linking, and a pretty funny ending: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bR_S7T6XyKs
live stream from 9/13/13
