When and how did you discover Game Maker?
I was sifting through google, looking for a Mac program called GameMaker (similar to our one, but with no space); and I came across Mark Overmars' Game Maker page. After all the numerous shareware piece-of-junk programs that litter the net, GM sounded like a gem from Mark's description - and it turned out to be nothing less.
Have you used any other game creation programs?
Well as I said up there the Mac program, GameMaker, which is a card-based deigner (ie. it creates point-and-click adventures and nothing more). Needless to say, it was shareware and had about as many useable features as a dead horse. I think I used it twice in total.
What games or other projects have you made with (or for) Game Maker?
I've got quite a number of GM games (in order of user rating): Space Oddity, Mr. Pratt, Enemy Bomber Balloons, Fox Battle, Bob the Blob, Suspicious Olympics, Foxivous, Meteor Storm, Foxeroids. they are all downloadable from
www.bouncingfox.co.uk. I'm also working on an RPG of some description, but that isn't finished yet (though it probably will be by the time anyone reads this, if at all...).
Fovivous
What are your favorite Game Maker games?
There have been some very good games made using Game Maker, but I think my favourite is Super Snake by
Sander Steenhuis. That snake movement is one that I've been trying to work out for years.
What are your favorite games NOT made with Game Maker?
Hmm. Well, Worms has to be in there somewhere - World Party, Armageddon, original...they're all great) I also like the MYST series, purely because they're so unlike anything else I've ever seen (computer game-wise).
What advice would you give new Game Maker users or those who would like to improve?
Two things:
1) stick with Game Maker - it's a fantastic program, and it can do anything if you utilise all its features. I've seen a lot of people give up because all they can do is make a bouncing ball - the bouncing ball is just beginning to scratch the surface of what Game Maker can do so don't get bored and give up on it.
2) When you squeeze the nobility it's the peasants who feel the pinch.
What elements of a game are most important to you and why?
Although graphics and music are great to polish off a game, game play is undoutedly the most important aspect of any game. People will like the game if it's fun to play - especially if it's fun to play with more than one player.
Why do you make games? What is your primary inspiration, motivation, or both?
Lack of anything better to do, I suppose.
Actually it's nothing like that - I just love seeing people actually choose to play a game that I've made, as in of their own free will, it's a great feeling.
Any other comments?
Macs are better than PCs. But PCs are [. . .] impossible to escape from!
<< Back
