Dangerous Dave's Dlog

For over 6 years I have been using a program called GameMaker.

GameMaker is software that, as it implies, lets you make games. And it makes the process much easier that any traditional methods. GameMaker uses drag and drop icons to piece together the parts of your game, making it very easy for anyone of any age to use. For more experienced users, a programming language is also available. Games can be distributed as executable files, that can run on any Windows machine that meets the requirements. A Mac port (private) beta is to be released by the end of this month.

After using GameMaker for all these years, I have got nothing to show for it. I have not released a single game past WIP status, and have learnt a lot about an industry I never plan on entering. But I have wasted a lot of time, and had fun doing it. Some GameMaker users have even gone on to work for game making companies.

After a break of a year or two from GameMaker, I returned to the GameMaker Community (GMC) where the users of GameMaker discuss and troubleshoot their games and game making techniques. To this day, I regularly visit the GMC to help novice users with problems, discuss issues and catch up with old friends, although I rarely use GameMaker anymore. Hopefully that will change with the release of GM for Mac.

If anyone is considering making their own games, and doesn't know where to start, then I suggest GameMaker. You can download the lite version (don't worry, you most likely wont need a single pro feature until you get more experienced) from the publishers website, YoYo Games, and if you get stuck, post a question in the Novice & Intermediate forum at the GMC.

-Dave