icymx

Today I decided I'd try something new and make an arcade game. Since all my other games have been platformers, making it was... interesting... to say the least. Development time totaled around 6 hours including the time it took to write the music, draw the sprites and create the sound effects.

Information:
Category: Arcade
File Size: 5.4MB
GM Version: GM8
Vista Compatible: yes
Changes Screen Resolution: no
Download Link: http://dl.dropbox.co...nnihilation.exe

Screenshots:


 

Download!

Comments are welcome. Enjoy!

PS. Here's the source if you want it: http://dl.dropbox.co...nnihilation.gmk

• Title: Spinning Coins
• Description: Create Super Mario style spinning coins using basic trigonometry and a touch of GM magic!
• GM Version: :GM8: and newer
• Registered: Yes, due to use of image_xscale
• File Type: .gmk
• File Size: 14.3KB
• File Link: http://dl.dropbox.co...139224/Spin.gmk
• Required Extensions: None
• Required DLLs: None
• Summary
  This simple, heavily commented example will show you how to create spinning coins, Super Mario style - and explains the processes required to do it. A basic knowledge of trigonometry is recommended for full comprehension, but it's not mandatory. Due to the use of the image_xscale variable, the registered version is required.
   
  BONUS - Minecraft-style bouncing header using similar processes included in the example!
  
  Here is a .exe demo for those who don't have the registered version: http://dl.dropbox.co...4/Spin_demo.exe

Drawing Galaxy (iOS Version) by Alex Tritt Games
"If in doubt, draw it out!"



Drawing Galaxy by Alex Tritt Games (Nujuat) is an iOS game with a 360 degree physics engine similar to the one in They Need To Be Fed. However, there is a twist - to complete the levels you must draw on the screen to create lines for the player to walk across, while avoiding several different obstacles including comets, cannons and lasers.



It is a very fun game to play, with great level design and unique gameplay to accompany it. I was instantly drawn to the 360-degree physics engine, which is complimented by 100 levels that are neither too difficult, nor too easy, and many different obstacles to keep the gameplay interesting. It is a combination of these things that makes the game hard to put down. There are also four worlds to traverse across, each with 25 levels and a new type of obstacle - just when you thought you'd never get sick of multicoloured cannons shooting at you, guess what? They can now home in on you - brilliant!

There is a large amount of replay value, and many extra features to the game too. For example, each level has a potential three stars that can be awarded, and based on how many times you die without restarting, you can get anywhere from none to all three.
Additionally, there is a rather entertaining ending, and once the game is completed you can play as a gold-coloured version of yourself. These features really add to the game's replay value, and it is this kind of attention to detail that shows how committed the developer is.



There is also a level editor, but it is severely limited. To place objects into the level, you must first click where you want to place the object and then continually tap to rotate through the list of placeable items. Additionally, there is no way to remove placed entities without going tapping more than twenty times to scroll through everything.



The music and sound effects are quite good, being made by the developer himself. One thing I don't like however, is that the same background music repeats throughout the game. Although we are given the option to turn it off, it would be nice to have some variety. The sound effects however, are spot-on and fit perfectly with the rest of the game.

Now, if there is one thing I don't like about the game it's the graphics. The game is set in a notebook, which is where the name Drawing Galaxy comes from. But the 'planets' (the objects you walk on and around) are hardly recognizable as planets, and there seems to be a lack of colour, as well as not enough shading. On top of that, the stick-figure character (again with the notebook theme) sometimes "snaps" from one location to another instead of moving smoothly. This detracts from the gameplay, and makes it difficult to determine whether a jump is safe or not. Although, most of the time the careful level design makes up for this.



Overall, the game is very polished and well-made, and I would recommend it to anyone looking for a casual platformer. Good work - 4/5.

Upwards and Onwards is a platformer with a unique gameplay mechanic - the player's health directly affects how high they can jump. 

Story: One day, you are out walking with your girlfriend when suddenly - a giant spider comes and takes her away! You must climb a massive 1920 PIXELS to save her and on your way avoid mines and monsters, while making use of keys, arrows and other items to help you get there faster.

Information:
Category: Platformer
File Size: 1.7MB (2.7MB when extracted)
GM Version: GM8.0
Vista Compatible: yes
Changes Screen Resolution: no
Download Link: HERE

Screenshots:

  Download!
Or download the source here

Comments are welcome. Enjoy!

My school is offering a free copy of Windows 8 to all its students, and since I currently use Vista (which is awful) I thought I'd take the opportunity to upgrade. But firstly, I wanted to know a few things:

- Will I be able to run all the programs I currently use? I know this kind of sounds stupid but I'm worried that because it has an app store and everything, it won't have support for older programs (as well as .exe's downloaded off the internet).
- Is the interface any good? I've heard people say that it's terrible and very difficult to use - which isn't surprising considering it's a Microsoft product
- Will GameMaker, as well as the games created with it, run on Windows 8?

Thanks