GameMaker: Studio free to download, Professional edition discounted

[Dohc-WP]

Curious about game development? YoYo Games is offering free licenses for GameMaker: Studio, development software that caters to users who don't know the depths of programming. Until March 2, licenses for the Standard edition can also be upgraded to the Professional version for $35.

Never heard of GameMaker? Derek Yu used it to develop the punishing labyrinth of Spelunky, while Risk of Rain developer Hopoo Games used it to build giant pig-infested stages. Messhof also used GameMaker for its multiplayer stab-fest, Nidhogg.

If you're interested, download the Standard version and play around with it. If you decide it's not for you, the only thing it will really cost you is time.


Source: YoYo Games Via Joystiq

[Solitude]

I've used GameMaker before but it's got one big problem: The Price. Sure you can get the Standard for free now and Professional for cheap but you still won't be able to export to mobile devices. Unity on the other hand lets you export to mobile devices for free and is also a lot more powerful. Oh and for those who don't know, Unity now has proper 2D capabilities too.

The only problem with Unity again is that it's more difficult for non programmers to use.

[addam]

I've used GameMaker before but it's got one big problem: The Price. Sure you can get the Standard for free now and Professional for cheap but you still won't be able to export to mobile devices. Unity on the other hand lets you export to mobile devices for free and is also a lot more powerful. Oh and for those who don't know, Unity now has proper 2D capabilities too.

The only problem with Unity again is that it's more difficult for non programmers to use.

Though you should really learn to program if you're making games.

[PsychoFish]

Though you should really learn to program if you're making games.

That generally tends to help

[Solitude]

Not necessarily. Programs like GameMaker is ideal for someone who doesn't really want to learn to program. You can do a lot of programming with it but you can create pretty good games without programming knowledge.

And there's been some good games that were created with GameMaker, like the ones mentioned in the article and also games like Hotline Miami and so forth.

[brendanvb]

I'd be very interested in this if I had the time to waste playing around with it. Suffice to say adult life has taken way too much time away from gaming as it is

[PsychoFish]

It's very easy to learn and very simple to slap together something playable. Unity has a steeper learning curve, but can be a lot more rewarding if you are willing to put in the time and effort.

If you're into steep learning curves, programming and you're slightly masochistic the UDK is free for download and non-commercial use.

[InSanity]

ok hwo do i get the standard key ? i can only see a place to download it

[TheAvenged87]

Started the download. Don't know where I'll find the time, but I'm giving this a shot.

[Hiro]

i knew that Derek Yu created Spelunky with this, but had no idea that Hotline Miami was also done with this app. Very cool thanks DOH-16V, grabbed it now.