When and how did you discover Game Maker?
I was looking under the FAQ section of wieringsoftware.nl, which is the company that produced two of my all time favorite platform games. One section gave some tips on how to go about making games, and a link to the Game Maker website was provided. The first version I downloaded of Game Maker was 4.2.
Have you used any other game creation programs?
Game Maker is the first tool I've used to make graphical games, although for awhile before that I used Quest (available from
www.axeuk.com/) to make text adventures. Sadly, I started programming with TI calculators. Luckily Game Maker got me off that crap.
What games or other projects have you made with (or for) Game Maker?
All the stuff I've made is downloadable at
http://drgames.2ya.com. My first game was Cosgrove's Umbrella, which introduced me to the rest of the Game Makers when it was put on
gamemaker.nl. I followed that by Cosgrove's Air Escape, and in my spare time I uploaded a cheap pacman clone. I've made quite a few programming examples and am always working on a few projects.
Cosgrove's Air Escape
What are your favorite Game Maker games?
What are your favorite games NOT made with Game Maker?
Sub Culture, by Criterion Studios and published by Ubisoft, is an awesome underwater rpg shooter that was way ahead of its time. Unfortunately the folks at Ubisoft won't update it to run on Windows XP, so I'm going to have to steal a computer from my school or something if I want to play it. I also love Charile the Duck and Charile II, both by Wiering Software, Icy Tower by Free Lunch Design, and Wiz3, by Steve Eaborn.
What advice would you give new Game Maker users or those who would like to improve?
Take algebra class. Read the manual. Attempt to control your attention span.
What elements of a game are most important to you and why?
Smooth gameplay that is as bug free as possible. Sound that adds to the atmosphere of the game rather than inducing migraines, unless the game is intended to do that. In which case I wish you good luck getting anyone do download it. Original graphics that go together.
Why do you make games? What is your primary inspiration, motivation, or both?
Making games is fun and often rewarding, and you can do almost anything. Plus, if you learn ahead of time, you can take programming courses and have an easy semester or two. Hooray. Making games also gives you a chance to meet a lot of people all over the planet with as little to do as you.
Do you have other artistic pursuits other than game development? If so, what?
I draw avidly, and I'm in to music. I've been playing the piano for nine years, am a member of the school drumline, and have had my compositions played by the Seattle Symphony. My attention span is short enough that I've made various other forms of digital media here and there, such as flash or stop motion animation, but usually not finished anything.
Any other comments?
Finding good free web hosting is a lot like getting crushed to death by a lemon.
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