Game Maker
Introduction
GameMaker (GM) is a game creator with a wide extension of features. It is a popular choice at MFGG, often rivaling the Clickteam products. However, there are known to be issues with Game Maker and certain computers, so games do not always run.
Description
Game Maker runs off it's own specific script, called the Game Maker Language (GML). GML is a variable-based script system superficially similar to C++ (but lacking much of the advanced syntax), which allows users to use built-in variables, as well as create their own. There is an alternative method of programming, consisting of "Drag-and-Drop" icons. These are simpler to use, though are usually much more limited than strict GML.
Game Maker uses "resources," "objects," and "events" to create games. The resources include sprites, sounds, backgrounds, paths, scripts, fonts, and time lines. Game Maker is essentially a program that uses a coding language with several functions and "setting variables" to use the resources and execute different actions. While Game Maker does include built-in collision and speed functions, several advanced Game Maker users do not use them because they may interfere with their current scripts.
Objects in the game move about the rooms based on their x and y variables and execute code in events to perform actions. For example, the create event is executed when the object is created, the step event executes every frame, and the draw event is a block of code that draws the object every frame. While Game Maker does include key-press, key-release, and key-hold events, many advanced users prefer the keyboard_check() function since it gives more control on the order in which things are checked.
For even easier use, Game Maker can run in "Simple Mode" or "Advanced Mode." Simple Mode leaves out more advanced settings, such as the Script resource, and is intended for use by new users that do not have prior knowledge of coding or GML. Advanced Mode consists of the same outline as Simple Mode, though it has more programming choices to choose from to fine-tune your game. Advanced Mode is intended for experienced users.
Other Info
Game Maker is free, with an optional "Registered Version." Registered Version allows for more features, including particles and limited 3D games. The most recent version of Game Maker is 7; however, it has been criticized for being too similar to 6.1.
Game Maker also is criticized for being very slow compared to game makers such as the Clickteam products. This is because Game Maker doesn't actually compile games, but creates an encrypted executable with the game code and a game player. This causes severe lag and also sometimes makes it difficult to achieve even a standard frame rate of 60 FPS. As well as game speed, people often tend to argue that because of this Game Maker games can be decompiled and games made in Game Maker are unprotected.
Game Maker 7 is currently owned by YoYo Games, which also made a new license agreement. It was misunderstood, and people thought YoYo Games owns rights to any characters you invent. This generally seems as scandalous, so many people are still sticking to older Game Maker versions.
The license agreement was later corrected.
