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- From: stone-andy@cs.yale.edu (Andy Stone)
- Newsgroups: rec.games.programmer
- Subject: Re: GAME.MAKER
- Message-ID: <1ef622INNe50@TIGER.ZOO.CS.YALE.EDU>
- Date: 19 Nov 92 04:43:46 GMT
- References: <SPURCELL.92Nov18001251@galadriel.mcd.intel.com>
- Distribution: rec
- Organization: /homes/majors/stonea/.organization
- Lines: 101
- NNTP-Posting-Host: tiger.zoo.cs.yale.edu
- In-reply-to: spurcell@galadriel.mcd.intel.com's message of 18 Nov 92 08:12:51 GMT
-
-
- I've used Game-Maker probably more then anyone else, simply because
- I wrote it! (or part of it). I think, though, that my input is still valid
- because Game-Maker has no competitors (ie, I have no one to insult).
- Notice, too, that I could have not advertised my connection with the product.
- I choose to, because Game-Maker can easily stand on its own.
-
- So, to answer your questons:
-
- > Have any of you ever used GAME MAKER from Recreational Software
- > Designs? It is supposedly software to aid in creating arcade games
- > and adventure games, sort of a video game construction kit.
-
- It is exactly that -- a video game construction kit. You create everything
- about your game. From graphics, to monster movement, to character movements,
- weapons, etc. In the age old gaming tradition Game-Maker supports hit points,
- "Power-ups", inventory (weapons, speed boots, extra jumping --anything!).
- The playing field(s) consists of a 100x100 map of user-drawn blocks which
- can be walls, doors, animations, objects, one-way doors and have gravity
- in any of eight directions. Since each block is 20x20 pixels, each scene
- is actually over 60 times the size of the screen! 30 of these playing fields
- (complete with their own blocks, monsters, characters, etc) can be linked
- together to form a game which can (obviously) be played within Game-Maker,
- or converted (using a utility provided with the development package)
- to an .exe file and released as Shareware.
-
- > It seems like it might be useful for amateurs like myself who are
- > interested in game design. According to the ad opposite page 54 in the
- > November 92 issue of Computer Gaming World,
-
- Amateurs are EXACTLY who the program was designed for. You can create an
- entire game without touching the keyboard (except I guess, to type in
- save filenames)! It has a simple, intuitive WYSIWYG interface, and NO
- knowledge of programming or game theory is required (ie we DO NOT create
- a pseudo language--its all point and click)!
-
-
- > "GAME.MAKER requires an IBM AT compatible 286, 386, or 486 with a color
- > VGA monitor and mouse. Joystick optional."
-
- Game-Maker is NOT one of those previous-generation worn gaming
- engines, with a facelift. We use the latest video mode (VGA 256 color
- mode), and need a powerful processor due to the extensive animation.
-
- > The ad also offers the following information.
-
- > "A technological breakthrough by Recreational Software Desings lets you
- > do the impossible. Now you can create 256 color VGA computer games
- > without programming.
-
- This refers to the fact that everyone else limits the playing
- screen with cute info bars, inventory, etc, so that they do not have
- to update such a large screen area. GameMaker uses the entire physical
- screen as the "playing screen", and supports smooth background scrolling
- (needed because scenes are 60 times bigger then the screen).
-
- > +Design unlimited number of animated monsters and good guys
-
- Well...not quite. Something like 64 per scene with 30 scenes, making
- 1920 monster types. Of course, 200 instances of monster types can be
- put on each scene, pushing the number of to 6000.
-
- > +Animated characters walk, run, fly, hop, pop from scene to scene
-
- You define character movement patterns and link them to almost any key
- (FN keys are reserved for stuff like save/restore game, etc). Thus, if
- you wanted, you could have the character duck, shoot a weapon, even do
- a belly flop (although I can't see why).
-
- > +Design your own sounds
- > +Make arcade and adventure games as unique as your imagination
- Yes,Yes.
-
- > +Modify and enhance GAME.MAKER games"
-
- We include 4 games to help you get started. The artistically uninclined
- can use our graphics in their games, or steal graphics from .gif files
- using an included utility.
-
-
- > So, has anyone tried this product? If so could you comment on its
- > good and bad points.
-
- Those were its good points. A lot of young users call up thinking that
- they will be able to create the next Ultima in a week. Obviously not.
- Do not expect to create next year's hit commercial video game.
- Expect instead to create a state of the art shareware game for use
- as product promotion, round-robin games (each friend adds a level),
- or to make lots of Shareware users happy. Expect, also, for the said games
- to be fuller in plot, because creators will be able to concentrate on the
- story--not the effects.
-
- GameMaker costs about $89, and can be ordered through KD software
- at 1-800-533-6772.
-
- Andy.
- stonea@minerva.cis.yale.edu
-
-
- --
- | Andy Stone |
-