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Now It's Super Simple To Make Your Own Xbox One Game

Project Spark 1
Microsoft

There's no harm in admitting it: every gamer, at some point in partaking in the hobby, has wanted to make his or her own game.

It's no surprise. After all, once you've played enough titles you start to recognize the gameplay mechanics that appeal to you and those that are superfluous. Eventually, you start to think up ways you could make your favorite games better.

Microsoft is looking to offer an outlet for that creative energy in the form of "Project Spark," which the company describes as "an open-world digital canvas that enables anyone to build, play, and share whatever they can imagine." The simple toolkit will be available on the Xbox One, Xbox 360, and Windows 8.

The GameSpot team recently got some hands-on time with "Project Spark" on the Xbox One (it's currently available to beta testers on Windows 8). We've highlighted the most interesting bits and added commentary so that you can understand what's going on at each step.

You start by choosing what kind of environment you want your game to take place in.

project spark environment
GameSpot

Then you choose between different times of day: day, evening, or night.

project spark time of day
GameSpot

Then, you're given a few preset options for the player character. You can use one of the ones they give you or shuffle through more options.

project spark character
GameSpot

From there, you can customize aspects of that character.

project spark character customization
GameSpot

Or pick out equipment to give him or her.

project spark character equipment
GameSpot

Like a suit of armor, which then has to be scaled and fitted to the character.

project spark
GameSpot

Next, you get to choose the genre you'd like your game to be. Again, you can shuffle through options until you find what you're looking for.

project spark genre
GameSpot

To modify the game world, you choose a tool and then click and drag parts of the environment.

project spark terrain
GameSpot

Placing structures like buildings or bridges is as easy as selecting them from a menu and dropping them in.

project spark prop
GameSpot

The same thing can be said for enemies.

project spark props
GameSpot

You can customize the non-player characters you put into the game as well.

project spark character clothing
GameSpot

For instance, you can remove the standard helmet and gloves from the warrior character...

project spark character clothing
GameSpot

And even record your own animations by and acting out what the character should do and capturing that motion with the Kinect.

project spark animations
GameSpot

To modify the behavior and abilities of non-player characters, you simply highlight them...

project spark character editing
GameSpot

... and modify their actions using simple logical commands based on the framework: "When this happens, Do this."

project spark rules system
GameSpot

Once you've got these basic things set up, you can jump in and begin testing.

project spark gameplay
GameSpot

You'll even be able to engage enemies in combat, with basic AI and controls established by the genre you chose earlier.

project spark combat
GameSpot

The Project Spark team compiled a video of what gamers have come up with after just one week of beta testing:

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