Info about GameMaker: Official game description: GameMaker has everything you need to take your idea from concept to finished game. With a fresh user interface and many new exciting features including; Real-Time Animation Editing, a new innovative workflow and seamless path from Drag and Drop to actual code, developing top quality games has never been easier! Featuring a powerful programming language for professionals, and a drag-and-drop no-code-required workflow for beginners, and a comprehensive toolset, top quality games can be developed quickly. With the most advanced exporter ever, rapid cross-platform deployment is achievable across all leading platforms including mobile, html5, console and desktop. Monetisation tools enable a range of functionality to be quickly and easily deployed including In-App Purchasing, Advertising, Analytics and User Engagement. With no barriers to entry and powerful functionality, GameMaker is the ultimate 2D development environment! Key Features and Benefits ------------------------- * Affordable, top quality game development * Easy to get started – novice to professional * Powerful programming language for professionals * Drag and Drop system for beginners – no coding required * Comprehensive Toolset: Level, Image, Tile, Object, Script and Audio Editors * Leading physics engine and advanced shaders * Powerful animation support and networking * Rapid Cross-Platform exporting – all leading platforms supported * Monetisation Tools: IAP, Advertising, Analytics and User Engagement * Actively developed – new features and upgrades released regularly Technical Features ------------------ * Layer Based Level Editor * Level Inheritance – to easily create different level biomes * New Sequences Animation Tool * Re-Designed Layer Based Image Editor * Tile System – with Auto Tiling, Tile Animation and Brushes * Re-Envisaged Drag and Drop, Enhanced and Faster * Extensive Library of Events and Actions * Real-Time Animation Editing * Multi-Column, tabbed code editor * Improved Object Editor * New Audio Mixer * Backwards Compatibility with GameMaker: Studio projects * Multiple Workspaces with intuitive design * Laptop mode custom workspaces * Rapid Search mechanism to open resources instantly * Skinning – light or dark skin available * Powerful debugger to save time and effort * Git Integration Release date: May 3, 2022 Categories: 2D Game Creation, Drag-and-Drop Interface, Game Development Tool, Cross-Platform Deployment, Scripting Support, No-Code Development, Mobile Application Development, UI Development, 3D Game Creation Feature scans: - MTX: score 85; verdict: Predatory Monetization; summary: The reviews highlight significant concerns about the paywall and the high cost of DLC in the game engine. Users feel that the paywall limits learning and sharing, making the software feel more like a toy than a professional tool. The high cost of DLC is also seen as a major drawback, detracting from the overall value of the engine. - Proton/Linux: score 55; verdict: Tinkering Required; summary: GameMaker shows a mix of positive and negative experiences on Linux. While some users report that it runs well using Proton, others encounter significant issues such as controller problems and crashes. There is a strong desire among users for better native Linux support, indicating that the current compatibility is not fully satisfactory. - Steam Deck: score 50; verdict: Tinkering Required; summary: The analysis of user feedback reveals significant issues with GameMaker on Linux, including controller problems and crashes, which severely impact the user experience. While some users have had success with compatibility settings and Proton, there are notable audio issues and the need for emulation. Overall, the experience is marred by instability and compatibility problems. - Hardware Profile: No data Feature extractions: - Community Price: - Community fair range: $10.00 - $30.00 - Reasoning: The evidence suggests that users find the game to be of great value and worth the investment, particularly for beginners and simple game development. The mention of different pricing tiers and the value associated with them indicates that the community considers the base price to be reasonable and fair. The reviews highlight the affordability and the benefits of using the software, which supports a price range that is accessible yet reflective of its value. - Playtime Metrics: - Game completion: N/A - Story completion: N/A - Session length: 5.0h - Endgame: N/A - Reasoning: The evidence provides several direct mentions of playtime. The first quote mentions 400 hours, though it notes that a significant portion of this time was spent learning the software and dealing with unproductive periods. The second and third quotes mention hundreds or thousands of hours spent using GameMaker, indicating extensive use over a long period. The fourth quote humorously claims an exaggerated playtime of over 10,000 hours, which is likely not literal but suggests a very high level of engagement. These quotes collectively suggest that users spend a considerable amount of time with GameMaker, often over extended periods. - Time-to-fun: - Summary: GameMaker becomes fun and engaging after users learn the basics through tutorials, overcoming the initial learning curve. - Stance: Clicks after - Anchor: Learning the basics through tutorials - Time to anchor: 1h 0m - Friction: Initial learning curve; Quality of tutorials - Unlock drivers: Effective tutorials; Grasping the basics - Conditions: Following beginner's tutorial videos; Moving onto other creators for advanced learning; Using informative tutorial series on YouTube - Player Archetypes: - Beginner Developer (buy) - Motivation: Learning to code and develop games. - Playstyle: Uses drag-and-drop tools and follows tutorials to create simple games. - Experience: newcomer - Purchase stance: buy - Labels: beginner; new to coding - Reference games: None specifically mentioned - Veteran Developer (buy) - Motivation: Creating and publishing games, leveraging deep knowledge of the engine. - Playstyle: Advanced scripting and complex game development. - Experience: veteran - Purchase stance: buy - Labels: experienced; long-time user - Reference games: None specifically mentioned - Balanced Developer (buy) - Motivation: Creating games while balancing ease of use and advanced features. - Playstyle: Uses both drag-and-drop tools and scripting to create games. - Experience: familiar - Purchase stance: buy - Labels: intermediate; balanced - Reference games: None specifically mentioned Below are summaries of things people say about the game per category. Each point is assigned a weight that represents how often it is mentioned across all reviews. What players like: - Great for learning game development (weight 0.6): The platform is excellent for learning programming and game development, especially for creating 2D games. It is suitable for both beginners and advanced programmers. - Beginner-friendly and easy to use (weight 0.48): The software is highly accessible for novices and those new to game development. It is praised for its simplicity and ease of learning, making it an excellent choice for beginners. - Powerful for 2D game creation (weight 0.39): The engine is particularly powerful and well-suited for creating 2D games. It is considered one of the best choices for 2D game development. - Good software for development (weight 0.31): The program is generally well-regarded as a good piece of software for development and coding. It has a good learning curve and is praised for its overall quality. - Features Game Maker Language (GML) (weight 0.29): The built-in programming language, GML, is intuitive and powerful, making game development accessible even without prior coding knowledge. It is similar to languages like C# and Python. - Suitable for various developer levels (weight 0.27): The software is suitable for both beginners and experienced developers. It helps in understanding programming concepts and is good for both beginner and professional developers. - Easy-to-learn programming language (weight 0.25): The coding language used is easy to learn and understand, making it accessible for those without extensive coding knowledge. - Free version with no limitations (weight 0.22): The free version of the software is fully functional and allows for extensive use without any limitations. It includes all essential features and allows for web/desktop exports. - Used for popular indie games (weight 0.16): The engine has been used to create popular indie games like Undertale and Hotline Miami, showcasing its capability to produce high-quality games. - Availability of tutorials (weight 0.16): There are many tutorials available, including free YouTube tutorials and resources on the official website, making it easier for users to learn and use the software. - Supports multiple platforms and game types (weight 0.16): The software allows for game creation on multiple platforms, including Android, iOS, Windows, and web browsers. It can also be used to create various game types, including adult and 3D games. - Active and helpful community (weight 0.16): The software has a great community with many learning resources. The community is active, helpful, and ready to assist users. - Intuitive and friendly interface (weight 0.16): The interface is intuitive, pleasant, and user-friendly, making it easier for users to navigate and use the software effectively. - Drag-and-drop functionality (weight 0.14): The visual editor includes drag-and-drop tools, making it accessible for beginners and allowing users to choose between code and visual programming. Common complaints: - Difficult for beginners (weight 0.26): The software is difficult to understand and use, especially for beginners, and can be confusing without tutorials or manuals. - Requires programming knowledge (weight 0.21): Users need to learn programming, specifically GML, to unlock the full potential of the software, which can be time-consuming and difficult. - Cluttered and confusing UI (weight 0.2): The interface is described as cluttered, unintuitive, and confusing, making it difficult for users to navigate and use the software effectively. - Poor 3D capabilities (weight 0.2): The software lacks robust 3D features, making it unsuitable for creating 3D games and requiring third-party software for advanced graphics. - Opera account required for exports (weight 0.18): Users are forced to create and log into an Opera account to export projects or create executable files. - Free version limitations (weight 0.17): The free version has significant limitations, including the inability to package or export projects, which hinders learning and sharing. - Lacks functionality (weight 0.17): The software is criticized for its lack of functionality and ease of use, making it less convenient compared to other game engines. - Comparison to Unity (weight 0.14): Users often compare the software unfavorably to Unity, citing difficulties and inferior capabilities. - Constant problem-solving (weight 0.12): Users encounter frequent issues and bugs that require constant problem-solving and often necessitate restarting the program. - Paywall for exports (weight 0.12): Users need to pay to export projects to executable files, which is seen as a significant limitation. - Limited language support (weight 0.1): The software lacks language selection and has limited support for non-English languages, with outdated or irrelevant tutorial videos. - Compatibility issues on Linux (weight 0.07): The software has compatibility issues and does not run well on Linux. - Sound issues on Steam Deck (weight 0.05): Sounds cannot play in rapid succession or be interrupted on the Steam Deck, causing inconvenience. Gameplay feedback: - Primarily a 2D game engine (weight 0.4): The engine is widely recognized for its strong capabilities in creating 2D games, with limited support for 3D games. It is considered excellent for small to mid-sized 2D game development. - GameMaker Language (GML) (weight 0.13): The engine uses GameMaker Language (GML), which is noted for its ease of use and power. GML is based on Delphi and is a key feature for programming within the engine. - Built-in sprite editor (weight 0.07): The engine includes a built-in sprite editor, which is useful for creating and editing sprites directly within the development environment. - Dual coding options (weight 0.07): Users can program using either traditional coding methods or a block-based approach, providing flexibility for different types of developers. - Physics engine support (weight 0.07): The engine includes a physics engine that allows for the creation of physics-based gameplay, enhancing the realism and interactivity of games. - Visual scripting (weight 0.07): The engine supports visual programming, which allows developers to create game logic using a visual interface rather than writing code. - Dynamically typed scripting language (weight 0.07): The engine uses a dynamically typed scripting language, which can make scripting more flexible and easier to write. - Supports multiple programming languages (weight 0.07): The engine supports multiple programming languages and extensions, providing developers with a variety of tools and options for game development. - Easy for independent development (weight 0.04): The engine is noted for being easy to use, particularly for independent developers, making it a popular choice for solo or small team projects. - Good 2D optimization (weight 0.04): The engine is optimized for 2D game development, ensuring that games run smoothly and efficiently on various platforms. - Simple and easy-to-memorize functions (weight 0.04): The engine provides simple and easy-to-memorize functions, which can speed up the development process and make it more intuitive. - Feather (Intellisense) (weight 0.04): The engine includes a feature called Feather, which provides Intellisense-like functionality, aiding developers with code completion and suggestions. Performance notes: - Frequent crashes and bugs (weight 0.2): The application frequently crashes, especially when opened or when the C drive is full. Users also report encountering various bugs that often require restarting the entire program. - Positive performance feedback (weight 0.1): The engine is noted for being surprisingly light and fast. It is also considered good for optimizing games, and the IDE is praised for being lightweight. - Linux compatibility issues (weight 0.1): The application has significant issues running on Linux. Users report that it is broken or does not run well on this operating system. - Import and file management issues (weight 0.07): Users have reported problems with importing files and general file management within the application. - IDE and Virtual Machine issues (weight 0.07): There are specific issues related to the IDE and degradation of performance when using Virtual Machines. - Performance issues on mobile (weight 0.04): There are performance limitations for complex projects on mobile devices, making it less suitable for intensive tasks. - Optimization issues post-update (weight 0.04): There are optimization issues that have arisen after a recent update, affecting the overall performance and user experience. - Code changes not saved (weight 0.04): Users have reported that changes to the code are not being saved, which can lead to loss of work and frustration. - Compatibility with Steam Deck (weight 0.04): There are mentions of compatibility with Steam Deck, indicating some level of support or issues related to this platform. Recommendations: - Recommended for beginners (weight 0.42): Many reviewers suggest this software for those new to game development due to its simplicity and ease of use. - Ideal for 2D game development (weight 0.32): The software is highly praised for creating 2D games and is recommended over other engines like Unity and Unreal Engine 5 for 2D projects. - Consider other engines for growth (weight 0.14): Some reviewers suggest transitioning to other engines like Godot or Unity after gaining initial experience or for more advanced projects. - Learn to code in GML (weight 0.04): Learning to code in GML (GameMaker Language) is recommended over using visual coding for better control and understanding. - Download GameMaker LTS for stability (weight 0.04): For better stability, it is recommended to download the GameMaker LTS version from the official site. - Buy subscription when ready to publish (weight 0.04): Consider purchasing a subscription when you are ready to publish your game. - Buy a course for professional development (weight 0.04): To learn professional game development, buying a course is recommended. - Highly recommended for serious developers (weight 0.04): The software is highly recommended for serious game developers. - Recommended for creating dream games (weight 0.04): The software is recommended for creating games you've always dreamed of making. - Suggests creating your own engine (weight 0.03): Some reviewers suggest creating your own game engine for a more customized experience. Other player notes: - Tutorial for GameMaker (weight 0.04): There is a tutorial available for GameMaker, which could be useful for users interested in game development. - DLC available (weight 0.04): The game offers downloadable content (DLC). Emotions: - Frustration (weight 0.22): Users experience frustration primarily due to software bugs, crashes, and limitations in the free version. Issues such as automatic file deletion, difficulties in understanding the software and its coding, and problems with registration and platform limitations also contribute significantly to this frustration. - Satisfaction (weight 0.19): Users express satisfaction with the software's ease of use, extensive features, and suitability for 2D game development. The positive community support, ample tutorials, and the software's capabilities for beginners and experienced users alike are also highlighted as key factors. - Positive (weight 0.1): Users appreciate the software's ease of learning, powerful features for 2D games, and the overall positive experience it provides. The accessibility, helpful tutorials, and the software's capabilities for beginners are frequently mentioned as reasons for their positive sentiment. - Disappointment (weight 0.05): Disappointment stems from changes in the pricing model, the software becoming harder to use, and the company's business practices. Users also express dissatisfaction with the software's limited 3D capabilities and the overall degradation of the engine's quality. - Excitement (weight 0.05): Users are excited about the potential and capabilities of the game development tool, including its versatility and the ability to create and customize games. The ease of programming and the potential for future updates also contribute to this excitement. - Nostalgia (weight 0.04): Nostalgia is driven by long-term use of the software and personal experiences with older versions of GameMaker. Users reminisce about creating their first games and prefer the older pricing models and versions. - Negative (weight 0.03): Negative feelings arise from restrictions in creativity, issues with the physics system, and the need for a one-time purchase for commercial use. Criticisms of the engine's quality and the high cost of exporting games also contribute to this sentiment. - Anger (weight 0.02): Anger is primarily due to the subscription model, feeling robbed of old lifetime licenses, and the loss of account data during migrations. Users are also angry about the removal of permanent access and the requirement for refunds. - Satisfied (weight 0.02): Satisfaction comes from the engine's suitability for indie developers, its capabilities, and the positive community support. Users are pleased with the overall experience and the software's performance. - Admiration (weight 0.02): Admiration is expressed for the engine's accessibility, power, and features. Users appreciate the software's capabilities despite its complexity and praise its intuitiveness. - Approval (weight 0.02): Approval is given for the software's suitability for beginners, recent changes in monetization, and the updated pricing model. Users find the engine to be good and approve of its structure. - Excited (weight 0.02): Users are excited about the software's capabilities, ease of use, and the realization of their game development dreams. The engine's potential and positive experiences contribute to this excitement. - Enthusiasm (weight 0.02): Enthusiasm is driven by positive experiences with the software, the journey and improvement in game development, and the encouragement of others to try coding. Users are enthusiastic about recommending the software to others. - Hope (weight 0.02): Hope is expressed for the reinstatement of lifetime licenses and a semi-normal payment model. Users are hopeful about the software's potential and encourage other developers. - Gratitude (weight 0.02): Gratitude is expressed for the software's impact on careers, its accessibility, and the value it offers. Users appreciate the positive experiences and the software's role in their personal development. - Enjoyment (weight 0.02): Enjoyment comes from the fun coding experience, the freedom and creativity provided by the software, and the overall positive experience with the engine. - Frustrated (weight 0.02): Frustration is caused by dealing with bugs, crashes, and unintuitive mechanics. Difficulties with login, changing ID, and the limitations of the free version also contribute to this frustration. - Confusion (weight 0.01): Confusion arises from difficulties understanding the UI, how to create a project, and the complexities of GML. Users also express confusion about making sprites and navigating the software. - Love (weight 0.01): Love for the engine is expressed due to its ability to make game ideas come true and the overall positive experience with GameMaker. Users appreciate the software's capabilities and features. - Joy (weight 0.01): Joy comes from the positive experience with GameMaker, its straightforward and easy-to-use nature, and the overall excellent game engine. Users find it amazing to use and enjoy the software's capabilities.}