9 replies to this topic

[werdna12]

Hi, I'm 14 and into video gaming. I want to make a career in making games. We have only recently started using GM, but it's the lit edition. (my school are tigtarses that spend it on overpriced spors equipment :|). Anyway, would GM pro be a wealthy investment. And help in future GCSE and A-level programming?

Can you list features that are Impossible in the lite version. Like i.e: shooting, not actual coding.

Thanks.

[G-Games]

I would say Yes, since it enables 3D, which is a most for most games right now if you want to compete with other game making facilities.

[werdna12]

Well, what I'm asking is will it help me understand better at advanced programming?

[G-Games]

If you mean learning from it, then I'll give it a try:

GM Pro allows you to use 3D into your games and to add more functions to GML for you to use. For instance: Particles. Particles are for more advanced users but are things that you maybe want to use into your game. Next to this, you get more Drag 'n Drops (you should use GML if making games, but they 'unlock' for you).

In short: There's no way you'll learn something from it, it just gives you more functions for your game.

EDIT: Also, every game creater program has it's own language, which you have to learn to get going. That's something you might want to take a look at before you actually buy GM.

Edited by G-Games, 10 January 2012 - 07:07 PM.

[HayManMarc]

GM Pro offers more features than Lite.

GameMaker is a tool for creating games. It's not necessarily a learning tool, but much can be learned from using it, whether you use Pro or Lite. However, that being said, it's more helpful to have prior general programming knowledge for developing good coding/programming practices and prevent bad habits.

There are many paths that lead to the desired destination. Some are good, some are bad. Only a few will give you the directions needed in the correct and easiest order. Good luck -- there's a lot of info on the web if you just Google for it!

[Rhodox]

Well GM is good because the basic commands you learn in it work in other more complicated languages I know for a fact it shares a huge amount of commands and similarities with VB.NET and Java and it helped me out a lot with learning other programming languages so I would recommend getting it but I wouldn't recommend trying to make a career out of just GM

Edited by Rhodox, 10 January 2012 - 10:21 PM.

[Nocturne]

GM (in it's current state) is still unfortunately a hobbyists tool... You CAN make professional games with it (and people do) but it requires a clear knowledge of it's limitations and a great deal of work. However, as a base for getting into programming and learning the ins and outs of how to make a game, I personally feel that there is nothing better for the price! Yes, it's quirky, but it's incredibly easy to use and you'll be surprised how quickly you can creat things with it when you get to grips with the language. So, yes, as a learning tool GM is fantastic!!!

As for advanced programming, for that you'll need a good knowledge of maths (geometry and physics are good!), a good knowledge of the tools to be used and a healthy dose of patience... GM can help you to learn how to program, but to become good you really need to know more than just the language. Oh, and GML has many similarities with other languages, which makes going on later to something else a lot easier too...

[interpolicer]

I'd break my advice in two:
2D and 3D

Gamemaker for 2D programming is more than capable, offers a great workflow, teaches the basics and lets you work at your own style, as it is forgiving on one's mistakes and offers a choice to use (or not) hand typed code. All tools are there and all work wonderfully well.

For 2D, it's possibly the best out there, flat. You have some deprecated facilities, true. You can work around them, see how well you can manage and then decide if you want to spend the small amount on the rest (I did and it took a couple of days for me to decide, though I'm no expert nor have a game to show for it)

Gamemaker for 3D, unless you are a masochist, I'd stay clear of it, as it's rather limited and outdated by now. You can do stuff, but there are better tools out there. Depends on your discipline and commitment. Things in 3D are harder than in most engines.

Max out the Lite version first and then decide for the purchase.

[Guma]

As using simple draw_ that is offered in both versions, you can draw an retangle with an variable string. Variable should be numerous.

There is no need to move to Lite version if you don't understand Game Maker fully, just don't waste your time and money.