Microsoft has released Kodu , a game developed by Microsoft Research that lets users create their own worlds while teaching them the basics of game development, as a public beta for the PC. To get started, you’ll need a Windows Live ID to apply for the beta on Microsoft Connect , where you’ll be asked to fill out a 14-question “Kodu Academic Program Questionnaire.” Originally designed as a learning tool for youngsters using Xbox 360, Kodu was released a year ago as service with a powerful programming language that quickly became a hit in academic circles. Since its release, Kodu has been downloaded more than 200,000 times and is used in more than 60 educational institutions across the globe, according to Microsoft.