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We don’t often post news stories on new releases here at Develop, but this one is certainly more about making than completing games.
FUZE Technologies, who make the coding and learning tool FUZE for Windows, BBC Micro.bit and Raspberry Pi, are making FUZE Code Studio to Nintendo Switch in 2018. The release is currently scheduled for Q2, just in time for the 2018 Easter holidays.
FUZE Code Studio will turn your Nintendo Switch into a coding box, with text-based programming, programmable synthesiser, graphics libraries and USB keyboard support. There are no indications at this early stage how the keyboard will work with the Switch, but presumably, this will be able to be used when docked, utilising the USB port in the back of the dock. Once docked, you can also use the Switch to show off your creations to friends, family or even teachers.
Given the target audience for the Nintendo being younger and more family based players, having an easy to use and familiar device for coding could be an incredible help in getting young people to code. That is something that FUZE already has great experience in.
FUZE has been supporting education for coding with its computing workshops, which schools have been using to teach the basics to children aged five and upwards (Key Stages 1 and 2). This allows students to get the hang of coding before progressing to more complex coding like Python, Java and C++.
The portability of the Nintendo Switch also makes this very interesting given that students could work on their projects remotely and bring them into school, which makes the prospect of homework much more fun. You can read more by visiting the FUZE website.
