Nintendo is releasing a new concept game at dbot: the Video Game Workshop (Game Builder Garage in English). The game is coming soon and it will allow you to create video games with ease!
The concept
It is an application that allows you to:
- Create video games entirely on the Switch
- Share your games or play other players’ games
Release date
- June 11, 2021 in the Switch eShop
Principe
The user interface is a bit similar to the Nintendo Labo programming mode, the basis of the connection blocks.
The games are programmed visually by connecting these famous blocks (the “nodons”) between them. The example used in the announcement video shows that 1 “stick / left-right” block combines the “left-right” function of a “man” block. So if the JoyCon stick is pushed to the left or right, the “snowman” moves to the left or right.
There are dozens of nodes for creating a wide variety of games.
Possible lessons and games
The game includes 7 interactive lessons that explain how to make so many types of games. Here is the list with our translation suggestions (we don’t know the French names yet):
- On a Roll: A maze from above where you manipulate the ball thanks to the movements of the Joycon
- Alien Blaster (“Alien Blaster”): Un Shooter Scrolling Latral
- Risky Run: A side scrolling platform game
- Mystery Room: A puzzle adventure I that takes place in a 3D room
- Thrill Racer (“Fonons & Frissons”): a 3D racing game
- Day Showdown (“Paf dans ta face”): a Mini Smash Bros.
- Super Person World (“Super Bonhomme World”): A mini Super Mario Bros 3D world
Nodons
Dozens of different nodes are offered. These are programming blocks with precisely defined behavior. It’s up to you to join them together to create the mechanics of the game. Here are the knots known so far:
- timer
- Scorer
- Background music
- floor
- button
- fellow
- object
- cause
- constant
- Tilt
- no (for example to reverse a condition that triggers an effect)
- texture
- Throw object
Not listed, but we can assume there will be nodes too:
- Playing
- text
- son
- expect
- Zone
What we know about the content of the game
- Ability to download other people’s games or offer your own (via a 10-digit code assigned to each game)
- 64 games can be saved per switch
- 7 lessons on creating games
- Characters tell you how to make the games. This is Bob, a blue ball. Later on, a certain Alice could help you too.
- You can connect a USB mouse to the switch dock. I’m willing to bet that the tiny USB stick that comes with some mice can also be used to plug in a 2.4GHz wireless mouse.
- Switch Lite compatible (but without the ability to connect a mouse)
- only sold in the eShop for 30
Our conclusion
Creators of all stripes are happy! At a time when programming (especially Scratch) is being incorporated into National Education’s official programs in schools or colleges, Nintendo goes out of its way to bring this game to a low price. Or rather, this development environment should be said.
We are eagerly awaiting this “mta game” from Nintendo, which will also remind us of the excellent WarioWare DIY on DS. It wouldn’t be surprising if intelligent systems (Advance Wars, Fire Emblem, WarioWare DIY) were behind this concept.
It is not yet known if there will be a feature (or even a website) that will allow you to view, rate or try out the games published by others without knowing the unlock code. It also seems very likely to us that Nintendo France is organizing design competitions, certainly with some nice little prizes to be won.
What has already been shown allows us to confirm that the tools are rich and varied and that it will be possible to develop sophisticated games.
Hurry up, June 11th!
