| Developer(s) | YoYo Games |
|---|---|
| Initial release | 15 November 1999 |
| Stable release | 8.1 (Windows), 7.0 (Macintosh) [±] |
| Preview release | GameMaker:HTML5 [±] |
| Written in | Delphi For Versions Up To GM8.1, C++ planned for Version 9 |
| Operating system | Microsoft Windows and Mac OS X (PSP, Android, and iOS under development) |
| Available in | English |
| Type | Game development/Program development |
| License | Proprietary |
| Website | YoYo Games |
GameMaker (originally named Game Maker and often abbreviated to GM) is a Windows and Mac IDE originally developed by Mark Overmars in the Delphi programming language. It is currently developed and published by YoYo Games, a software company in which Overmars is involved. GameMaker allows users to easily develop computer games without the requirement of prior computer programming experience, while allowing advanced users to create complex applications much faster than possible with most other programming languages with its built-in scripting language.
The latest stable Windows release is version 8.1 as of June 2011[update] and version 7 on Mac as of 11 August 2010[update]. Since its initial release in 1999, GameMaker gained many new features, notably 3D graphics support, as well as a significant user base, with YoYo Games providing free hosting for user-created games.
YoYo Games is currently undertaking a serious overhaul of the software in the form of GameMaker HTML5 and GameMaker Studio. These forthcoming versions of the software will allow development for other platforms such as iOS, Android, and Mac.
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Game Maker was originally titled Animo,[1] a program specializing in 2D animation. Overmars released the first public version (version 1.1) on November 15, 1999. While this version of Game Maker had a built-in scripting language, which was not as complex as in more recent versions, it and the next few versions of Game Maker did not have DirectX support, a separate runner to run games independently from Game Maker, or the ability to compile games into executable files.[1]
Each major release added substantial new features and improved stability, while gaining steadily in popularity. In 2001, version 3.0 implemented DirectX for the first time,[2] while version 4.0 (released July 2001) was rewritten from scratch, changing the interface significantly. Version 5.0 was released in April 2003, adding support for external data files and time lines.[3] In version 6.0, released October 2004, Game Maker's graphics engine was rewritten using Direct3D as a base, allowing for more complex operations such as easier alpha transparency and sprite rotation, as well as introducing 3D graphics functions.[4] Overmars began work on version 7.0, which introduced the ability to extend its functionality, around the summer of 2006,[5] and released it on 28 February 2007, through YoYo Games.[6] Version 7 RC2 also introduced data encryption for executables created with the software due to concerns about program decompilation. Game Maker 8 was released on 22 December 2009,[7] adding new features such as a revamped script editor window, improved image editor, and the ability to import and export resources from game source files.[8]
On 27 November 2009, a new logo was announced on the YoYo Games Glog.[9] The decision received substantial criticism via the Game Maker Community and YoYo Games Glog with thousands of comments posted in protest. Games mocking the logo were created as well. After the negative response, CEO of YoYo Games Sandy Duncan blogged and posted on his Twitter feed making it clear he was reconsidering the logo's design.[10][11]
In response to the criticism, a topic was posted on the Game Maker Community where users could contribute a new logo,[12] and on December 9, a new logo was chosen.[13]
GameMaker is designed to allow its users to easily develop computer games without having to learn a complex programming language such as C++ or Java. However, it is possible to create add-ons for the games created with Game Maker. Such extensions, as they are known to Game Maker users, provide users such as advanced 3d via an Ogre Rendering Engine port, better sound, among others. Extensions to the main IDE are limited to the creation of new scripted drag and drop actions (see below).
GameMaker's primary development interface uses a drag-and-drop system, allowing users unfamiliar with traditional programming to intuitively create games by visually organizing icons on the screen. These icons represent actions that would occur in a game, such as movement, basic drawing, and simple control structures. Users also have the ability to create their own "action libraries" using the Library Maker.
For experienced users or those with computer programming experience, GameMaker contains a built-in scripting programming language called the Game Maker Language (GML), allowing more complex games to be made with the program.
GameMaker aids in the creation of many types of games, including platform games, first-person shooters, third-person shooters, massively multiplayer online games and construction and management simulation games.
As a professor of the University of Utrecht, Mark Overmars developed GameMaker partly as a teaching aid for his students. It is gaining recognition as a useful teaching tool in primary and secondary schools because of its easy entry and sophisticated scripting language.[14]
Two versions of the GameMaker software are offered on Windows and Mac. The Lite versions are free to use, while the Standard editions require purchase. Lite locks out several advanced features and functions which are available in Standard, including the ability to use DLLs, particle systems, advanced drawing functions, 3D graphics, and networking multiplayer.[15] On Windows, the Lite version contains most of the functionality that allows users to create games and share them either by creating stand-alone Windows executable files, or publishing them on YoYo Games' website. Games created with the Lite version display a small GameMaker advertisement during the loading of the game, while games made with the Standard version remove this.
On the original Game Maker for Mac, a trial version with all features unlocked could be used for ten hours before it required activation; there was no "Lite" version. However, on 8 December 2010, Game Maker for Mac Lite was released as a free download. The Mac Lite utility contains most of the Mac Standard version's functionality, but it prevents users from creating stand-alone Mac executables. (Therefore, in order to share games for free, a user would need to give the GMK source file to other users who have downloaded and installed Game Maker for Mac.)
The renaming from "Pro" to "Standard", which occurred with the release of GM version 8.1, caused a lot of discussion about whether or not the company is releasing another tier. This hypothesis was backed up with the company's 2011 "easter egg," showing the possibility to export games to multiple different platforms, including Apple's iPhone and HTML5.
GameMaker primarily runs games that use 2D graphics. GameMaker's graphics capabilities underwent significant improvements with each major release version, allowing for additional functionality including more efficient alpha adjustments and blending settings for sprites and other shapes. By version 6.0 (Windows), Game Maker incorporated DirectX, allowing more advanced graphics functions. Version 7.0 (Macintosh) uses OpenGL to render sprites.
Starting with version 6.0 (Windows), Game Maker added Direct3D, allowing the use of limited 3D graphics. For versions 7.0 (Macintosh) and up, OpenGL is used for 3D graphics and also allows limited support for simple 3D models. Converters make it possible to use more popular 3D formats such as .3ds, and .obj for use in a 3D project. Extension packages such as OGRE can expand Game Maker's basic functionality. It also supports the ability to create particle effects such as rain, snow and clouds, however not natively in 3D. Support for the editing of 32-bit PNG files was added in the 8.0 version of the software which has also enabled users to use images with alpha channels.
Game Maker Language (GML) is the primary scripting language used in GameMaker. It allows users to further enhance and control the design of their game through conventional programming, as opposed to the drag-and-drop system. The syntax of GML borrows aspects from other languages such as C, C++ and Java, effectively making use of Object-oriented programming.
Originally, GML was designed to supplement the drag-and-drop interface, allowing advanced users to add greater functionality to their games or programs. Newer versions of GameMaker actually use GML as their base, with all drag-and-drop functions as pre-written GML scripts.
GML is an interpreted programming language instead of a compiled language. When GameMaker creates a stand-alone game, all GML (including drag and drop functions) is packed into the game executable. Every time the generated program is executed, an included interpreter carries out the commands indicated by the GML code. This has the drawback of making Game Maker created games able to be decompiled and reverse engineered, making encryption necessary. Being an interpreted language, GML is usually significantly slower than compiled languages such as C++ or Delphi.
GML also includes support for loading and using DLLs. This allows functions and routines to be written in other programming languages such as C++, Delphi, Pascal and others.
GameMaker itself is not limited to the functions and abilities included in the Game Maker Language. GameMaker games can load and use DLLs for additional functionality. The community has developed a variety of DLLs to extend GameMaker with things such as socket support and MySQL connectivity. As of version 7, the new extension mechanism allows users to include DLLs, GML scripts and action libraries in pre-built extension packages.
The following specifications reflect the system requirements of GameMaker's exported executable files. The GameMaker tool has unspecified, but significantly lower, requirements.[16]
System requirements for Game Maker 8.x:
System requirements for Game Maker 7.x:
System requirements for Game Maker 6.x:
Versions 6.x and the .exe files from those versions do not work with the Microsoft Windows Vista or the Windows 7 operating system, due to an incompatible compression implementation in its creation of executable files. Version 7 of the program, however, works correctly with Vista, as well as most supported functions in versions 5.x and prior. On 24 June 2007, Mark Overmars released a program to convert .exe files created with version 6 to work on Windows Vista.[17]
| Type | Partnership |
|---|---|
| Founded | 2007 |
| Founder(s) | The YoYo Games group |
| Headquarters | Dundee, Scotland |
| Key people | Mark Overmars Sandy Duncan James North-Hearn Michel Cassius Spencer Hyman |
| Website | http://www.yoyogames.com/ |
On 26 January 2007, Mark Overmars announced his partnership with a company based in the United Kingdom named YoYo Games.[18] The company, headed by CEO Sandy Duncan (ex Vice President of Xbox Europe),[19] was founded to support the future development of GameMaker and to build a community for developers and casual gamers. The motive behind the cooperation is that it would bring improved development to the software as well as provide a better website for its users. This was done in part by creating a free hosting service for any GameMaker games.
YoYo Games' website allows users to upload, share, and play their created games and those made by others. Users can also review and discuss these games, as well as games in development on the website. It also provides an extended help system and support for the sharing of digital assets. YoYo Games also hosts the GMC (GameMaker Community) forums and publishes GameMaker since version 7. The YoYo Games website was launched on 28 April 2007, in its beta form.[20]
The website has an instant play feature so people can play games online (similar to Adobe Flash), and allows games to be downloaded if the individual creators choose so. The company also runs game-making competitions on the site.
The GameMaker Community (GMC) is an online forum made to discuss the program and games created with it. It also discusses more general game design topics as well as game graphics, sound, and game distribution methods. The current forum was created by Mark Overmars[21] on September 18, 2003,[22] a month after the first release and is now a subdomain of the official YoYo Games website. On 15 June 2010, the GMC underwent an update to IPB version 3.1 which brought new personal message features, Twitter and Facebook integration, and a new theme.[23]
In October 2010, YoYo Games announced that they were making a store that people could sell their games on for different platforms like iOS or PSP. The statement says the store will open "In the following weeks".[24] As of 23 November 2010[update] the store includes only Game Maker for Mac, Skydiver Mach II, (the runner), Maddening, They Need To Be Fed, Simply Solitaire, Teka Teki, Prison Ball, Karoshi, Simply Poker Squares (and lite), Green Tech Plus (PSP only) and Sync Simple.[25]
In 2008, Sandy Duncan announced a port of Game Maker for Mac OS X was being developed. The port had undergone many delays due to technical reasons. A version[26] was made available for private beta testing.
On 4 December 2009, YoYo Games' Mac Developer resigned;[27] however, work resumed on 27 January 2010.[28]
On 14 April 2010, a release candidate for the Mac version was released.[29]
On 11 August 2010, YoYo Games released Game Maker 7 for Mac alongside a new Macintosh games hub entitled the YoYo Games AppStore.[30]
On 10 March 2010, YoYo Games CEO Sandy Duncan announced a new version of GameMaker that would be coming to the PlayStation Portable system.[31][32] YoYo Games recently held a competition (Competition 05)[33] in which the restrictions resembled those of a PlayStation Portable, and many rumors arose. Eventually, after over three months, an official announcement was made. YoYo Games also has begun a new competition (Competition 06)[34] with restrictions similar to those of a PlayStation Portable.
On January 26th YoYo Games announced that they had finished development of their first PSP game.[35]
On 24 September 2010, YoYo Games announced they were making an iOS version, compatible with Apple iPod, iPhone, and iPad.[36] On 20 October, they submitted Skydiver Mach II, their first app to the iTunes store.[37] As of 22 October 2010[update], the iOS version is not yet available for public use, however, YoYo Games has released information regarding the requirements for GameMaker games running on the platform.
On January 5, 2011, YoYo Games posted their interpretation of a formal cease and desist letter to their Glog. The post scolded the creators of a decompilation software which would allow users to bypass YoYo Games and independently publish their iOS apps, posing as a financial threat.
The YoYo Games Store will shortly also allow users to port to Google Android.
YoYo Games also announced the runner also works with HTML5.[38] This version will be be put into beta testing during September 2011. During the beta, it will only cost $100, but afterwards, the price will rise to $200.[39][40]