Game Maker

[Nickdude]

Who here uses Game Maker? If so, what version, and post any GM games you made. You can find mine in my sig.

[citricsquid]

Is game maker really programming

Serious question

[Jessii]

At 3/19/06 09:08 AM, onnet092 wrote: Is game maker really programming

Most would argue that it isn't and to say to learn a real programming language like C++

[roosen5]

At 3/19/06 09:08 AM, onnet092 wrote: Is game maker really programming

Serious question

Yes it is, but you have 2 ways to use it:
just point and click...
or use the script mode

[Nickdude]

Well, I would definately say it is real programming. Instead of typing long sequences of code, it replaces the code with icons and windows. You can also use the built in coding language, which is much like C++.

[Craige]

At 3/19/06 02:29 PM, Nickdude wrote: Well, I would definately say it is real programming. Instead of typing long sequences of code, it replaces the code with icons and windows.

But programming is just that. Long sequences of code. If you are pointing and clicking, you are not programming, because you are using someone elses code, and not learning a thing about it.

You can also use the built in coding language, which is much like C++.

Indeed. But still, I beleive it would be better for people to just lean C/C++ from scratch, and work their way up to being able to program directX, openGL, ect software.

[White-Rhyno]

At 3/19/06 02:40 PM, Dezmerkt wrote: But programming is just that. Long sequences of code. If you are pointing and clicking, you are not programming, because you are using someone elses code, and not learning a thing about it.

Not true dude. Game Maker teaches you the concepts of programming. It's got variables, loops, conditional statements, everything. You still have you construct the script yourslef, but instead of typing, you click buttons.

For example. There's no "Make the dude move" button. You have to press the "If condition is met" button, then specify the condition to be "Right key is down", then specify the result to be "dude x value plus 5".

It's like scripting in psuedo code.

[JosephGentzkow]

I don't know anything about Game Maker but my friend uses it...

Is it a... program? Or a language?

Heh, I no absolutely nothing about it. :P

[Nickdude]

Ok, it's not just clicking buttons. You drag and drop icons that represent lines of code in the order needed.
For instance: (Icons not included)

If variable 'can_shoot' is equal to true
START OF A BLOCK
Create instance of object 'bullet' at relative position man.x, man.y
Play sound 'shoot_1' with looping = false
set alarm '0' to 10
set variable 'Can_shoot' to false
END OF A BLOCK
else
play sound 'cant_shoot

Of course, you might not understand that, but you would if you got the hang of Game Maker.

Oh, and to the last person who posted asking if it was a program, yes, it is a Game Creation Program.

[Nickdude]

Don't flame me if you think I'm just bumping this thread, but here is an image from the program: http://www.gamemaker../interface_large.jpg

For an example of what can be done with Game Maker, go here: http://vertigogaming.net/ and click on Sandbox of God.

And here's an example of a FPS created with GM called Doomed: http://www.gamemaker...download&id=542

BTW, it's a Doom clone.

[DFox]

At 3/19/06 04:55 PM, back_to_blackvector wrote: No, game maker is not programming. Im going to wiki this for you thats how pissed off i am at gamefaggot noobs who think their cool cause they use this shit. It is NOT programming.

Shut the fuck up. You've never programmed anything in your life. You act like a big shot, but on this forum, you've show us NOTHING. nada.

I used to use a game making program, The Games Factory, so you just called ME a fag.

Just show us some of your god damn games before you knock everyone else for trying.

[Nickdude]

BOTH OF YOU! QUIET! Please, no flaming, and watch the language.

Ok, the definition of programming is:
To provide (a machine) with a set of coded working instructions.

Now, it doesn't matter how you do it. The only difference is C++ is compiled in binary, while GML (Game Maker Language) is compiled in Delphi, which is compiled in binary. Now, saying it isn't a coding language because it is easy to use is like saying C++ isn't one because it is easier to use than Delphi, or C#. (I don't know if they ARE actually harder to use, I'm just using them as examples)

Ok, so just because it is easier to use and has an easier interface doesn't mean it is any worse.

Also, I've seen amature games made in both languages, and the ones I see in C++ are, on average, not as good as the Game Maker ones.

[DFox]

At 3/19/06 05:29 PM, Nickdude wrote: Ok, so just because it is easier to use and has an easier interface doesn't mean it is any worse.

Also, I've seen amature games made in both languages, and the ones I see in C++ are, on average, not as good as the Game Maker ones.

I agree 100%. You can make awesome games with visual programs like GameMaker or the games factory. Just because the programs make it easy to make games, it doesn't mean the games can't be good.

[Craige]

At 3/19/06 05:29 PM, Nickdude wrote: BOTH OF YOU! QUIET! Please, no flaming, and watch the language.

We (almost) all swear around here. So that ain't gonna work.

Also, I've seen amature games made in both languages, and the ones I see in C++ are, on average, not as good as the Game Maker ones.

That is because people have to work harder to make them in C++. A lot harder.

[Nickdude]

I just meant don't swear against each other. Wait... I'm sounding, like, 80 years old! Ok, NM, swear all you want...

[Nickdude]

At 3/19/06 04:55 PM, back_to_blackvector wrote: No, game maker is not programming. Im going to wiki this for you thats how pissed off i am at gamefaggot noobs who think their cool cause they use this shit. It is NOT programming.

Your logic makes no sense. "Im going to wiki this for you thats how pissed off i am..."
Why would you Wiki it just because you're mad???

[Scottc1988]

At 3/19/06 05:36 PM, GamesCool wrote: I agree 100%. You can make awesome games with visual programs like GameMaker or the games factory. Just because the programs make it easy to make games, it doesn't mean the games can't be good.

In the long run while you're still making your crappy Game Maker games with awful graphics and mediocre gameplay, those amateurs will either have given up on a language like C++ or be making amazing 3D worlds with nice graphics, procedurally generated worlds, and all kinds of other cool stuff.

[CronoMan]

Making a game in C++ doesn't actually make it visually better... rather vice versa if you ask me.
And there is more to making games in C++ than some of you obviously understand.

You can't expect a person to jump into C++ and start making games, it just doesn't happen. That'll just piss them off and they stick with what they know for the rest of their lives. And instead of becoming a game programmer, they end up as a gym teacher peeping into the girls locker room.

So it's good to start with something simpler, so you get the understanding of the theory on how to make games instead. Even though some people say "programming is programming" there is a big difference between games and a normal application on how you handle objects and events. And if you think you can just buy a book and make a mmorpg in one week, you, my friend, are a retard.

I've been using C++ for years now, and some things still make me go "wtf?"
So using something simpler that will show you the graphics right away is a nice way to not kill the programmers patience right away.

l2p ;)

[LordAba]

At 3/20/06 03:33 AM, CronoMan wrote: You can't expect a person to jump into C++ and start making games, it just doesn't happen. That'll just piss them off and they stick with what they know for the rest of their lives. And instead of becoming a game programmer, they end up as a gym teacher peeping into the girls locker room.

Because we all know that programmers are not perverts, eh? :)

Anyways, it's not a bad tool to learn from, but because I didn't write it it does have it's limits. Which is why I stick to C++ for my games (or flash, but that's a different story... and one game in VB).
And just because it isn't "real programming" doesn't mean one have to be an ass about it.

[Nickdude]

At 3/20/06 02:10 AM, Scottc1988 wrote:

At 3/19/06 05:36 PM, GamesCool wrote: I agree 100%. You can make awesome games with visual programs like GameMaker or the games factory. Just because the programs make it easy to make games, it doesn't mean the games can't be good.

In the long run while you're still making your crappy Game Maker games with awful graphics and mediocre gameplay, those amateurs will either have given up on a language like C++ or be making amazing 3D worlds with nice graphics, procedurally generated worlds, and all kinds of other cool stuff.

The only crappy Game Maker games are the ones made by people who aren't good at making them. Also, the graphics in a sprite based game are only as good as the people making them. Just because it's GM doesn't make it any worse. Some people don't want to learn a big coding language with a sensitive syntax to make games, they want to make a game NOW, and make it BIG. In a race to make a click the ball game, who would win? Someone with C++, or someone with game maker? The person with GM, of course, because they wouldn't have to make the engine, and they would probably add things like PowerUps, time stoppers, and changing walls while the pperson with C++ is still trying to make the ball bounce.

Now, I admit that an experienced C++ coder can make games with 3D models and such, but they are still longer to make.

[henke37]

There is nothing wrong with useing gamemaker or anything else that is noob friendly. Noobfreindly doesn't mean bad, it means easy to use. Something can be noobfriendly and still have great powers. You just have to look for a tool with the rigth power and noobfriendlyness. In my opinion you should use the tool that fits for the task. Save your time, since time is money.

[T-F-K]

god its been awhile since i used GM,the last time i used it i was like...8 or 9(i had no programming exp back then btw)...Wow,i used to spend ages on that thing,i think i'm gonna download it again and see what i can do now days= D

[Johnny]

I guess most modern game designers and programmers can't call themselves programmers either.

1- They use engines, which assist in any coding they need to do and lay out guidelines so they don't have to hand code the entire thing.

2- Most companies have extensive libraries of code stored so they can modify it later and save time instead of re-writing. So, in essence, you're using code that has already been written (cut and pasting, so to speak..but not) and modifying it.

I'll agree that Game Maker might not completely belong in "programming" but it's the closest place, based on the descriptions of the forums.

Is CSS or HTML programming?

[Nickdude]

I wish people who bash GM would show me an amature game made with C++, then look at an amature game made with GM in the same genre made in the same amount of time, both from a blank template, and have tham rated without telling the judge which was made with what. Most likely, the GM one will be better.

Remember, the one made in C++ is started from scratch, as is the GM one. It would take longer for the person using C++, because they would have to make the engine, and edit it to match their needs, and by the time they finish the engine, the person using GM would have a playable beta.

[isuckblood]

At 3/19/06 08:59 AM, Nickdude wrote: Who here uses Game Maker? If so, what version, and post any GM games you made. You can find mine in my sig.

my school has game maker but nobody uses it

[Nickdude]

The reason noone uses it is most likely because they don't want to learn to use it, or you just don't know anyone who does use it.