Game Maker Profiles

When and how did you discover Game Maker?

GameMaker was at version 4.0. I had way too much time on my hands, so I decided to try to make a video game. I searched the net and found GameMaker, my first game creation program. GM was what inspired me to move on to more professional programming languages. If it werent for GM, I probably wouldnt be the computer nerd I am today.

Have you used any other game creation programs?

I tried a couple of different ones. I never really done anything major with them. None of these are as high quality as GameMaker. I dont remember all of them, so here are the few that I could find.

http://www.agsforums.com/ac.shtml - Adventure Game Studio

http://game-editor.com/ - Game Editor

RPG Maker (I dont have the link)

I also know several programming languages.

What games or other projects have you made with (or for) Game Maker?

I have done many games with GameMaker. You can download my games at my website http://www.brainwave.cjb.net I currently only have one game up there. It is my most recent game Little Red Ball.

Little Red Ball

What are your favorite Game Maker games?

I've played so many... I'll try to name a few.

Medieval Clash by Karel Pool
Cosgroves Air Escape by Ben Roth
Hard Hat: The Rebellion by Damaged Games
Mnomen by Tyler Wright
Reflexion by Juho Pohjonen
Tadzio's Island by Reboo Media Creations
Wally by Button Man Games
Doomed by FreeGadgets
FreeFall by Fusion Games
Super StickMan Escape by Helix Games
Jetz Fusion by Shawn64
Macky & Pentell by Baby Bonnie Hood
Seiklus by Tapeworm

There are many more, but I dont remember them all.

What are your favorite games NOT made with Game Maker?

Oh.... so many games...

Metal Gear Solid
Mario bros
Zelda
Metroid
Goldeneye
Banjo Kazooie
Monkey Island
Final Fantasy
Space Quest
Mario RPG Legend of the Seven Stars
The Incredible Machine
Leisure Suit Larry
ShadowGate
The Uninvited
Red Alert
The Sims
Sim City
Uplink
Super Smash Bros
Wario Ware Inc
Worms
Salamander
Bust A Move
Contra
Splinter Cell
Halo
Sonic
Mega Man
Mario Tennis
Mario Kart
Mario Party
Dune
Tony Hawk
Grand Theft Auto
Donkey Kong
Castlevania
Full Throttle
Lemmings

There are many more, unfortunately I cant think of them all right now.

What advice would you give new Game Maker users or those who would like to improve?

1) Start small. Work your way up to the big stuff.

2) Try Carl Gustafsson's beginners guide to gml. It explains gml a lot better then the manual does.

3) If you dont understand something, come back to it later. It might come to you.

4) Dont post at the forums unless you have consulted the manual first.

5) Fun games are original. Stick to your own ideas and avoid taking ideas from other people.

What elements of a game are most important to you and why?

Originality. Im sick of playing the same first person shooters with different graphics and story line.
Variety is also great. If the game doesnt keep the new things coming it will get old way too fast.

Why do you make games? What is your primary inspiration, motivation, or both?

I just have way too much spare time.

I would have to say my best inspiration are those few good game developers out there. So many have followed the same path and failed. These companies dared to be different, and they succeeded.

Do you have other artistic pursuits other than game development? If so, what?

I write music. You can hear it at my website. http://www.brainwave.cjb.net

I'll be getting Flash MX soon, so I'll be taking up animation too!

Any other comments?

Thanks Cly5m for putting me in this list of GM interviews. I also want to thank Mark Overmars for his great program. Good luck too all you GM users!

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