True Valhalla

Hello everyone; I've just launched a poll over at Game Maker Blog to determine which platforms GameMaker users are interested in making games for. I know the GMC itself has polling features, but I'd like all of the results in one place where non-registered users can vote too.

If you've got a spare moment, please cast a vote »

I'd also like to hear why you're interested in the platforms you voted for. Thanks!

It has been over a year since GameMaker Studio was launched, and the powerful game development engine now exports to a variety of platforms including Windows, Mac OS X, HTML5, iOS, Android, Ubuntu, Windows Phone 8, and recently Tizen.

We’re curious to know which of these platforms GameMaker users value the most. Vote for the platforms which interest you in our poll below, and leave a comment explaining your vote if you’d like. Voting closes July 7th 2013.

 

Source: http://gamemakerblog...king-games-for/

Today, YoYo Games are moving into a brand new office, located on the fourth floor of the “DundeeOne” building within the $1.5bn Dundee Waterfront development. The building’s address is 5 West Victoria Dock Road, Dundee, Scotland, and the office itself boasts 8,611 square feet of space. YoYo Game’s flagship product, GameMaker Studio, was launched just over a year ago and has been well received by the GameMaker community, fueling the company’s growth.

 

CEO Sandy Duncan, said:

 

“The business is growing rapidly and we need top quality flexible office space that will reflect the scale of our ambitions whilst providing our staff with an environment in which they can continue to do great work.”

 

According to a recent article on BBC News, YoYo Games currently employs 25 people and are planning to double their staff with new positions in software engineering, systems development, and notably, sales and customer service.

 

A collection of photos of the new YoYo Games office can be found below.

 

Source: Game Maker Blog »

 

More photos »

Microsoft has announced the launch date and price for its new Xbox One.

The new console will go on sale in November this year, with a recommended retail price of £429 in the UK, $499 in the US and 499 euros.

http://www.bbc.co.uk...nology-22848625

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A new module for GameMaker Studio has been announced. GameMaker Studio: Tizen will be entering beta sometime between the 22nd and 24th of May, and will be available for free to everyone who has purchased GameMaker Studio: Professional or GameMaker Studio: Master. However, once the beta ends, GameMaker Studio: Professional users will be required to purchase the module if they wish to continue using it.

 

Tizen is a Linux-based operating system which is backed by Intel and Samsung amongst others, and is seen as a way to cut industry ties with Google’s popular mobile operating system Android. However, the platform is still in its infancy and is not yet a prominent force within the mobile markets.

 

From the official Tizen website:

 

“Tizen is an open source, standards-based software platform supported by leading mobile operators, device manufacturers, and silicon suppliers for multiple device categories such as smartphones, tablets, netbooks, in-vehicle infotainment devices, and smart TVs. Tizen offers an innovative operating system, applications, and a user experience that consumers can take from device to device.”

 

 

Tizen OS on a prototype Samsung phone

 

It’s unlikely that GameMaker Studio users will show significant interest in this platform until it is more established. Since Tizen heavily embraces HTML5 technology, developers may be tempted to simply purchase GameMaker Studio’s HTML5 module instead. Many GameMaker Studio users are already making money with HTML5, a platform which is proving itself to be both commercially viable and suitably capable.

 

Source: Game Maker Blog »

 

Since there's no announcement post up yet, here's a discussion topic.

I personally have little interest in Tizen as I see it as a fairly low-end OS and one which will not monetize effectively for developers. I am excited that Tizen is so strongly focused on HTML5 technology though, and while I believe it's a few years from becoming well-integrated within the tech industry it does have some big names behind it.

Thoughts?

To celebrate a year in business as a self-employed game developer, I've just launched a huge giveaway where you can win $1000 of game development tools and software, including a GameMaker Studio Professional license and module.

Entering is really easy and takes less than 5 minutes. To get in on the action, head over to my blog »

Good luck everyone!