Beginner's Guide to GameMaker

Introduction

This tutorial is designed to help beginners get started with GameMaker, a powerful game development tool. Whether you're completely new to game development or just new to GameMaker, this guide will walk you through the fundamental concepts and features, allowing you to start creating your own games.

Step 1: Project Overview

• Creating a New Project: Start by launching GameMaker and selecting "New Project." Choose the type of project you want to create, such as a 2D game.
• Project Structure: Familiarize yourself with the interface. You'll find various sections like Resources, Objects, Sprites, and Rooms, which are essential for game development.

Step 2: Working with Sprites

• Adding Sprites:
  • Navigate to the "Sprites" section.
  • Click on "Create Sprite" to upload images or create your own.
• Editing Sprites:
  • Use the built-in sprite editor to modify your images, add animations, or adjust settings like collision masks.
• Best Practices:
  • Keep your sprite sizes consistent for better performance.
  • Utilize PNG format for transparency in sprites.

Step 3: Understanding Objects

• Creating Objects:
  • Go to the "Objects" section and select "Create Object."
  • Assign a sprite to your object, which determines its visual representation in the game.
• Defining Object Properties:
  • Set properties such as "Solid" for collision detection and define behaviors using events.
• Common Events:
  • Use events like "Create," "Step," and "Collision" to define how your object behaves in the game.

Step 4: Designing Rooms

• Creating Rooms:
  • Move to the "Rooms" section and click "Create Room."
  • Set the dimensions and background color for your room.
• Placing Objects:
  • Drag and drop objects into the room to create your game layout.
• Room Properties:
  • Adjust settings like gravity and viewport for more control over the game environment.

Step 5: Implementing Logic

• Choosing Between Code and Drag-and-Drop:
  • GameMaker offers both coding (GML) and a Drag-and-Drop interface. Choose based on your comfort level.
• Basic Coding:
  • If you opt for GML, familiarize yourself with basic commands to control object behaviors, like:

    if (keyboard_check(vk_right)) {
        x += 5;  // Move right
    }
    

• Using Drag-and-Drop:
  • For beginners, the Drag-and-Drop interface is user-friendly. Use predefined actions to add functionality without coding.

Step 6: Exploring Tutorials and Resources

• Online Communities:
  • Join the GameMaker subreddit and Discord for support and collaboration.
• Recommended Channels:
  • Follow YouTube channels like FriendlyCosmonaut, Heartbeast, and Pixelated Pope for additional tutorials and inspiration.
• Practice Projects:
  • Start small with practice projects to apply what you've learned and gradually increase complexity.

Conclusion

By following these steps, you'll gain a solid foundation in GameMaker. Begin experimenting with sprites, objects, and rooms while utilizing the resources available to enhance your learning. As you become more comfortable, challenge yourself with more complex projects and dive deeper into coding with GML. Happy game developing!