Introducing GameMaker: A 2D Game Engine for Beginners

GameMaker, a 2D game engine, has been around for almost 25 years, since its creation by Dutch professor Mark Overmars. The engine is known for its simplicity and ease of use, thanks to its drag-and-drop visual scripting tool. This has enabled small teams to create remarkable games like Hyper Light Drifter, Hotline Miami, and Undertale. Recently, GameMaker gained popularity after making its technology free for non-commercial use, following a controversy surrounding Unity's pricing. We spoke with Gurpreet Singh Matharoo, a lead technical writer at GameMaker, to learn more about the company's plans to attract new developers. Matharoo emphasized the importance of creating documentation that is easy for new users to understand, while still providing valuable information for experienced developers. He achieves this by using simple language, short paragraphs, and a clear structure. The game development industry is facing challenges, including layoffs and rising costs. However, GameMaker is committed to making game development more accessible, particularly in emerging markets. The engine allows developers to export their games to various platforms, including desktop, web, Android, and iOS, for free, as long as the game is for non-commercial use. GameMaker is also working on implementing AI technology, in collaboration with OpenAI, to assist new developers in creating their first game. Additionally, the engine is focused on providing effective documentation, with Matharoo using a dissection approach to break down complex technical concepts into manageable sections. As a 2D game engine, GameMaker is well-suited for emerging markets, where the cost of developing 3D games can be prohibitively expensive. The engine is easy to access and does not require a powerful system, making it an ideal choice for indie developers. Despite the challenges facing the gaming industry, Matharoo remains optimistic about the future of game development. He believes that it can be a fun and rewarding hobby, as well as a viable career path, and hopes that more people will be encouraged to learn about game development and pursue it as a career.