GameMaker Cookbook

GameMaker: Studio started off as a tool capable of creating simple games using a drag-and-drop interface. Since then, it has grown to become a powerful instrument to make release-ready games for PC, Mac, mobile devices, and even current-gen consoles. GameMaker is designed to allow its users to develop games without having to learn any of the complex programming languages such as C++ or Java. It also allows redistribution across multiple platforms.

Key Features

Design and develop game elements that can be used alone or stacked to enhance your gaming experience
Explore extensions that can unlock GameMaker: Studio's true potential to create complex games
A recipe-based, easy-to-follow guide to take your GameMaker skills to the next level

Book Description

This book teaches you to harness GameMaker: Studio's full potential and take your game development to new heights.

It begins by covering the basics and lays a solid foundation for advanced GameMaker concepts. Moving on, it covers topics such as controls, physics, and advanced movement, employing a strategic approach to the learning curve. The book concludes by providing insights into complex concepts such as the GUI, menus, save system, lighting, particles, and VFX.

By the end of the book, you will be able to design games using GameMaker: Studio and implement the same techniques in other games you intend to design.

What you will learn

Set up player control schemes of various types, such as touch controls and a gamepad
Create your own physics sandbox
Get accustomed to advanced player movement
Implement music and 3D sound in your games
Utilize GameMaker's GUI layers to create exciting games
Generate adjustable game settings and save systems
Add depth to your game with lighting and special effects

About the Author

Brandon Gardiner is a game developer and designer living out his love of video games. Though he started his foray into games through 3D art and level design, he always kept a notebook of ideas for games and game mechanics he wished to see. When he discovered GameMaker: Studio, he found that he could bring these ideas to life.

He is a graduate of the first iteration of the game development program at Toronto's George Brown College. In college, he worked as an artist and designer on several game projects for outside companies, including tie-ins for children's television shows and educational titles. After graduating, he founded MechaBee Studios where, being the sole developer of mobile and PC games, he is a jack of all trades.

He also writes a blog at http://www.gamemakerhq.com, through which he hopes to build a resource for other independent developers. He lives with his wife in Toronto where he is a veteran of the annual Toronto Game Jam (tojam.ca), an active member of the International Game Developers Association.

Table of Contents

Game Plan – Creating Basic Gameplay
It's Under Control – Exploring Various Control Schemes
Let's Move It – Advanced Movement and Layout
Let's Get Physical – Using GameMaker's Physics System
Now Hear This! – Music and Sound Effects
It's All GUI! - Creating Graphical User Interface and Menus
Saving the Day – Saving Game Data
Light 'em up! – Enhancing Your Game with Lighting Techniques
Particle Man, Particle Man – Adding Polish to Your Game with Visual Effects and Particles
Hello, World – Creating New Dimensions of Play Through Networking