GameMaker#GameMaker Language

GameMaker is primarily intended for making games with 2D graphics, allowing out-of-box use of raster graphics, vector graphics (via SWF),{{Cite news |url=https://www.gamedeveloper.com/business/gamemaker-studio-2-gets-new-low-cost-creators-edition- |title=GameMaker Studio 2 gets new low-cost 'Creators Edition' |last=Kerr |first=Chris|access-date=9 May 2018 |language=en}} and 2D skeletal animations (via Esoteric Software's Spine){{Cite news|url=https://www.brokenjoysticks.net/2017/03/12/game-maker-studio-takes-on-titans/|title=GDC17: GameMaker Studios 2.0 Takes On Industry Titans {{!}} Broken Joysticks|date=12 March 2017|work=Broken Joysticks|access-date=9 May 2018|language=en-US|archive-date=7 September 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180907195535/https://www.brokenjoysticks.net/2017/03/12/game-maker-studio-takes-on-titans/|url-status=dead}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.yoyogames.com/blog/43/skeletal-animation-sprites-using-spine|title=Skeletal Animation Sprites Using Spine {{!}} Blog {{!}} YoYo Games|website=Yoyo Games|language=en|access-date=9 May 2018|archive-date=1 June 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190601133948/https://www.yoyogames.com/blog/43/skeletal-animation-sprites-using-spine|url-status=dead}} along with a large standard library for drawing graphics and 2D primitives.{{Cite web |url=http://docs2.yoyogames.com/source/_build/3_scripting/4_gml_reference/drawing/index.html |title=Drawing |website=docs2.yoyogames.com |access-date=9 May 2018 |archive-date=23 August 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210823100510/http://docs2.yoyogames.com/source/_build/3_scripting/4_gml_reference/drawing/index.html |url-status=dead }} While the software allows for limited use of 3D graphics, this is in form of vertex buffer{{Cite web |url=http://docs2.yoyogames.com/source/_build/3_scripting/4_gml_reference/drawing/primitives/index.html |title=Drawing And Creating Primitives |website=docs2.yoyogames.com|access-date=9 May 2018}} and matrix functions, and as such not intended for novice users.

The engine uses Direct3D on Windows, UWP, and Xbox One; OpenGL on macOS and Linux; OpenGL ES on Android and iOS, WebGL or 2d canvas on HTML5, and proprietary APIs on consoles.

The engine's primary element is an IDE with built-in editors for raster graphics, level design, scripting, paths, and shaders (GLSL or HLSL).{{Cite news |url=https://www.macrumors.com/2017/09/02/gamemaker-studio-2-debuts-on-macos/ |title=2D Game Development Engine 'GameMaker Studio 2' Debuts on macOS|access-date=9 May 2018 |language=en}} Additional functionality can be implemented in software's scripting language or platform-specific native extensions.{{Cite news |url=https://venturebeat.com/2017/05/23/gamemaker-studio-2-gets-an-education-edition/ |title=GameMaker Studio 2 gets an education edition |date=23 May 2017 |work=VentureBeat|access-date=9 May 2018 |language=en-US}} In GameMaker Studio 2, users can choose whether to export the game as an NSIS installer, or a .zip file containing the game, the data.win file, and any files added under the "Included Files" tab in the editor.{{Cite web|url=https://docs2.yoyogames.com/source/_build/1_overview/2_quick_start/6_compiling.html|title=Compiling|website=docs2.yoyogames.com|access-date=2019-02-20|archive-date=9 November 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211109183609/https://docs2.yoyogames.com/source/_build/1_overview/2_quick_start/6_compiling.html|url-status=dead}}

GameMaker supports building for Microsoft Windows, macOS, Ubuntu, HTML5, Android, iOS, Amazon Fire TV, Android TV, Raspberry Pi,{{cite web |title=YoYo Games expand their Linux support in GameMaker Studio 2 to the Raspberry Pi |url=https://www.gamingonlinux.com/2020/12/yoyo-games-expand-their-linux-support-in-gamemaker-studio-2-to-the-raspberry-pi |website=GamingOnLinux |date=21 December 2020 |language=en}} Microsoft UWP, PlayStation 4, Nintendo Switch{{cite web |url=https://www.polygon.com/2018/3/9/17100548/gamemaker-studio-2-nintendo-switch-undertale |title=Undertale coming to Switch brings indie games' GameMaker Studio engine with it |last=Good |first=Owen |date=9 March 2018 |work=Polygon |access-date=9 March 2018}} and Xbox One;{{cite web |url=http://www.syracuse.com/entertainment/index.ssf/2014/11/learn_how_to_make_your_own_games_with_gamemaker_studio_at_retrogamecon.html |title=Learn how to make your own video games with GameMaker: Studio at RetroGameCon |author=Evan Lewis |date=6 November 2014 |publisher=Syracuse Media Group |access-date=2 December 2014}}{{cite web |url=http://www.polygon.com/2014/1/22/5333982/this-will-let-you-say-happy-birthday-get-well-soon-with-a-video-game |title=This will let you say 'Happy Birthday,' 'Get Well Soon' with a video game |date=22 January 2014 |publisher=Alexa Ray Corriea |access-date=23 January 2014}}{{cite web |url=http://www.pcgamer.com/no-coding-required-how-new-designers-are-using-gamemaker-to-create-indie-smash-hits/ |title=No coding required: How new designers are using GameMaker to create indie smash hits |work=PC Gamer |date=31 July 2014 |access-date=15 January 2015 |last1=Moore |first1=Bo }} support for PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X and Series S was announced in February 2021{{cite magazine |title=GameMaker Studio 2 launches support for PS5 and Xbox Series X{{!}}S {{!}} Development News |url=https://www.mcvuk.com/development-news/gamemaker-studio-2-launches-support-for-ps5-and-xbox-series-xs/ |magazine=MCV/DEVELOP |date=25 February 2021}} though an "Enterprise" license is needed to build games for these consoles.{{Cite web |title=GameMaker Runtime Licence - Enterprise |url=https://gamemaker.io/en/legal/gamemaker-runtime-licence-enterprise |access-date=2024-06-07 |website=GameMaker |language=en}}

In past, GameMaker supported building for Windows Phone (deprecated in favor of UWP), Tizen, PlayStation 3, and PlayStation Vita (not supported in GMS2 "largely for business reasons").{{Cite web |url=https://www.reddit.com/r/gamemaker/comments/5d2y93/we_are_yoyogames_we_recently_announced_gamemaker/da1dytt/ |title=We are YoYoGames, we recently announced GameMaker Studio 2. Ask us anything. • r/gamemaker |website=reddit |date=15 November 2016 |language=en|access-date=9 May 2018}}

PlayStation Portable support was demonstrated in May 2010,{{Cite news |url=http://www.pocketgamer.co.uk/r/PSP/Game+Maker+Runner/news.asp?c=20401 |title=Create games for your PSP with Game Maker |work=Pocket Gamer|access-date=8 May 2018}} but never made publicly available (with only a small selection of titles using it).{{Cite news |url=http://www.pocketgamer.co.uk/r/PSP/They+Need+To+Be+Fed/news.asp?c=20574 |title=Indie platformer They Need To Be Fed coming to PSP |work=Pocket Gamer|access-date=8 May 2018}}

Between 2007 and 2011, YoYo Games maintained a custom web player plugin for GameMaker games{{cite web|title=GMking's MarkUp Magazine - Issue 12|url=https://archive.org/stream/GmkingsMarkupMagazine-Issue12/MarkUp_12#page/n42/mode/1up|language=en}} before releasing it as open-source mid-2011{{Cite web|url=https://www.yoyogames.com/blog/152/yoyo-website-plans|title=YoYo Website plans {{!}} Blog {{!}} YoYo Games|website=Yoyo Games|language=en|access-date=9 May 2018|archive-date=30 June 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180630024711/https://www.yoyogames.com/blog/152/yoyo-website-plans|url-status=dead}} and finally deprecating in favor of HTML5 export.

Prior to August 2021, users had to obtain a single-purchase license for one of five different platforms, excluding consoles, depending on the target platform they wanted to publish on (such as desktop or mobile). An annual license was required to publish for consoles, which was also contained in an all-encompassing annual Ultimate license that covered all supported platforms. Yoyo Games announced a change to the licensing approach in August 2021, allowing GameMaker to be used for free to learn, and eliminating the single-purchase options. Instead, it simplified the license scheme to only two tiers, one that supported publishing on all non-console platforms, and a higher tier that added in console platform publishing support at a lower rate than the prior Ultimate license. These changes were aided by the financial investment of Opera into YoYo Games to help reduce costs for GameMaker users.{{cite web | url = https://www.gamesindustry.biz/articles/2021-08-10-yoyo-games-streamlines-gamemaker-licenses-offers-new-free-version | title = YoYo Games streamlines GameMaker licenses, offers new free version | first = Marie | last = Dealessandri | date = August 10, 2021 | accessdate = August 10, 2021 | work = GamesIndustry.biz }} On 22 November 2023, GameMaker announced that it would be "free for non-commercial use on all platforms (excluding console)," and the current subscription system would be replaced by a one-time license.{{cite web | url = https://twitter.com/GameMakerEngine/status/1726949064196128776 | title = GameMaker Free for non-commercial use | date = November 22, 2023 | access-date=November 22, 2023 | work = twitter.com }}

GameMaker Language (GML) is GameMaker's scripting language. It is an imperative, dynamically typed language commonly likened to JavaScript and C-like languages.{{Cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=eDzlCwAAQBAJ&pg=PR6|title=GameMaker Programming By Example |last1=Christian |first1=Brian |last2=Isaacs |first2=Steven |date=28 December 2015 |publisher=Packt Publishing Ltd |isbn=978-1-78588-847-2}}{{Cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=-5OFAwAAQBAJ&pg=PA9 |title=Getting Started with Game Maker |last=Ford |first=Jerry Lee Jr. |date=1 June 2009 |publisher=Cengage Learning |isbn=978-1435455214 |language=en}}{{Cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=PLdsEjKnt5AC&pg=PA225|title=The Game Maker's Apprentice: Game Development for Beginners |last1=Habgood |first1=Jacob |last2=Overmars |first2=Mark |date=31 December 2006 |publisher=Apress |isbn=978-1-4302-0159-5}}

The language's default mode of operation on native platforms is via a stack machine; it can also be source-to-source compiled to C++ via LLVM for higher performance.{{Cite news |url=http://www.adweek.com/digital/gamemaker-studio-introduces-yoyo-compiler-and-cross-platform-shader-support/ |title=GameMaker: Studio introduces YoYo Compiler and cross-platform Shader support|access-date=9 May 2018 |language=en-US}} On HTML5, GML is source-to-source compiled to JavaScript with optimizations and minification applied in non-debug builds.{{Cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=uDWG1gYWxokC|title=HTML5 Game Development with GameMaker |last=Elliott |first=Jason Lee |date=22 April 2013 |publisher=Packt Publishing Ltd |isbn=978-1-84969-411-7}}

GML Visual (originally called "Drag and Drop"{{cite web |title=What New Features Are Included In GameMaker Version 2022.3? |url=https://gamemaker.io/en/blog/release-2022-3 |website=GameMaker |language=en}}) is GameMaker's visual scripting tool.

GML Visual allows developers to perform common tasks (like instantiating objects, calling functions, or working with files and data structures) without having to write a single line of code. It is largely aimed at novice users.{{Cite news|url=http://www.thisisxbox.com/interview-james-cox-yoyo-games-gamemaker-studio-2/|title=Interview: James Cox of YoYo Games about GameMaker Studio 2 {{!}} This Is Xbox|work=This Is Xbox|access-date=9 May 2018|language=en-US|archive-date=6 January 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200106074455/http://www.thisisxbox.com/interview-james-cox-yoyo-games-gamemaker-studio-2/|url-status=dead}}

While historically GML Visual remained fairly limited in what can be comfortably done with it,{{Cite web |url=https://www.packtpub.com/sites/default/files/downloads/4100OT_Appendix_Drag_and_drop_Icons_to_GameMaker_Language_Reference.pdf |title=Drag-and-Drop icons to GameMaker Language reference }}{{Cite news |url=http://www.pcgamer.com/no-coding-required-how-new-designers-are-using-gamemaker-to-create-indie-smash-hits/ |title=No coding required: How new designers are using GameMaker to create indie smash hits |work=pcgamer|access-date=9 May 2018 |language=en}} GameMaker Studio 2 had seen an overhaul to the system, allowing more tasks to be done with GML Visual, and having it translate directly to code{{Cite news |url=https://venturebeat.com/2017/09/03/gamemaker-studio-creators-look-back-at-17-years-of-development/ |title=GameMaker Studio creators look back at 17 years of development |date=4 September 2017 |work=VentureBeat|access-date=9 May 2018 |language=en-US}} (with an in-IDE preview for users interested in migrating to code).

GameMaker was originally developed by Mark Overmars. The program was first released on 15 November 1999 under the name of Animo (at the time, it was just a graphics tool with limited visual scripting capabilities).{{Cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=-5OFAwAAQBAJ&pg=PA5|title=Getting Started with Game Maker |last=Ford |first=Jerry Lee Jr. |date=1 June 2009 |publisher=Cengage Learning |isbn=978-1435455214 |language=en}} The first versions of the program were being developed in Delphi.{{cite web |url=http://www.desura.com/engines/game-maker |title=Game Maker Studio engine |publisher=Desura |access-date=29 May 2013}}

Subsequent releases saw the name changed to Game Maker and software moving towards more general-purpose 2D game development.

Versions 5.0 and below were freeware; version 5.1 introduced an optional registration fee; version 5.3 (January 2004) introduced a number of new features for registered users, including particle systems, networking, and possibility to extend games using DLLs.{{Cite web |url=http://www.gamemaker.nl:80/registration.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20040110215821/http://www.gamemaker.nl:80/registration.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=10 January 2004 |title=Game Maker Pages |date=10 January 2004|access-date=8 May 2018}}

Version 6.0 (October 2004) introduced limited functionality for use of 3D graphics, as well as migrating the runtime's drawing pipeline from VCL to DirectX.{{cite book |title=Getting Started with Game Maker|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=0cs4Jv7ik5gC&pg=PA11 |last=Ford |first=Jerry |publisher=Course Technology, a part of Cengage Learning |year=2010 |isbn=978-1-59863-882-0 }}

Growing public interest led Overmars to seek help in expanding the program, which led to partnership with YoYo Games in 2007.{{Cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=NUFIBQAAQBAJ&pg=PA341|title=A Brief History Of Video Games: From Atari to Virtual Reality |last=Stanton |first=Rich |date=23 July 2015 |publisher=Little, Brown Book Group |isbn=9781472118813 |language=en}} From this point onward, development was handled by YoYo Games while Overmars retained a position as one of the company's directors.{{Cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=PLdsEjKnt5AC&pg=PR16|title=The Game Maker's Apprentice: Game Development for Beginners |last1=Habgood |first1=Jacob |last2=Overmars |first2=Mark |date=31 December 2006 |publisher=Apress |isbn=978-1-4302-0159-5}} Version 7.0 was the first to emerge under this partnership.

The first macOS compatible version of program was released in 2009,{{Cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=-5OFAwAAQBAJ&pg=PR14|title=Getting Started with Game Maker |last=Ford |first=Jerry Lee Jr. |date=1 June 2009 |publisher=Cengage Learning |isbn=978-1435455214 |language=en}} allowing games to be made for two operating systems with minimal changes.

Version 8.1 (April 2011) saw the name changed to GameMaker (lacking a space) to avoid any confusion{{cite web |url=http://www.diygamer.com/2010/04/original-gamemaker/ |title=The Original Game-Maker |last1=Eric-Jon Rössel |first1=Tairne |date=30 April 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140301005957/http://www.diygamer.com/2010/04/original-gamemaker/ |archive-date=1 March 2014 |access-date=15 January 2015}} with the 1991 software Game-Maker. This version also had the runtime rewritten in C++ to address performance concerns{{cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=5UAIAAAAQBAJ|title=Getting Started with Game Maker |last=Ford |first=Jerry |date=2009 |publisher=Cengage Learning |isbn=978-1133168966 |page=333}}{{failed verification|date=July 2020}}{{contradictory inline|reason=It's impossible that a 2009 book said what 8.1, which came out in 2011, did.|date=July 2020}} with previous versions.

September 2011 saw the initial release of "GameMaker: HTML5" - a new version of software with capability to export games for web browsers along with desktop.{{Cite news |url=https://www.gamedeveloper.com/business/yoyo-games-releases-gamemaker-html5-tools |title=YoYo Games Releases GameMaker: HTML5 Tools |last=Rose |first=Mike|access-date=8 May 2018 |language=en}}

GameMaker: Studio entered public beta in March 2012 and enjoyed a full release in May 2012.{{Cite news |url=https://venturebeat.com/2012/05/22/yoyo-games-unveils-gamemaker-studio-for-cross-platform-development/ |title=YoYo Games unveils GameMaker: Studio for cross-platform development |date=22 May 2012 |work=VentureBeat|access-date=8 May 2018 |language=en-US}} Initial supported platforms included Windows, Mac, HTML5, Android, and iOS. Additional platforms and features were introduced over the years following;{{Cite news |url=https://csanyk.com/2012/09/game-maker-studio-1-1-released/ |title=Game Maker Studio 1.1 released - csanyk.com |date=6 September 2012 |work=csanyk.com|access-date=8 May 2018 |language=en-US}}{{Cite news |url=https://venturebeat.com/2013/08/27/yoyo-games-updates-its-game-tools-to-speed-development-time/ |title=YoYo Games updates GameMaker: Studio to speed development time |date=27 August 2013 |work=VentureBeat|access-date=8 May 2018 |language=en-US}}{{Cite news |url=https://jeux.developpez.com/actu/71823/GameMaker-est-disponible-en-version-1-3-et-apporte-un-nouveau-debogueur-et-le-support-des-consoles-de-Sony/ |title=GameMaker est disponible en version 1.3 et apporte un nouveau débogueur et le support des consoles de Sony |work=Developpez.com|access-date=8 May 2018 |language=fr-FR}}{{Cite web |url=http://www.gamemakerblog.net/welcome-to-gamemaker-studio-1-4/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160618133327/http://www.gamemakerblog.net/welcome-to-gamemaker-studio-1-4/ |url-status=dead |archive-date=18 June 2016 |title=Welcome to GameMaker: Studio 1.4 {{!}} GameMaker Blog|date=18 June 2016|access-date=8 May 2018}} Late 2012 there was an accident with anti-piracy measures misfiring for some legitimate users.{{cite web|url=http://www.develop-online.net/news/42651/GameMaker-fixes-anti-piracy-bug-afflicting-users|title=Gamemaker anti-piracy bug destroys developer assets | Game Development | News by Develop|last=Chapple|first=Craig|date=29 November 2012|website=Develop|publisher=Intent Media|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130127181539/http://www.develop-online.net/news/42651/GameMaker-fixes-anti-piracy-bug-afflicting-users|archive-date=27 January 2013|url-status=dead|access-date=28 April 2019}}

In February 2015, GameMaker was acquired by Playtech together with YoYo Games. Announcement reassured that GameMaker will be further improved and states plans to appeal to broader demographic, including more advanced developers.{{Cite web |url=http://www.yoyogames.com/playtech |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150326191637/http://www.yoyogames.com/playtech |url-status=dead |archive-date=26 March 2015 |title=YoYo Games is Acquired by Playtech plc {{!}} YoYo Games|date=26 March 2015|access-date=8 May 2018}}

November 2016 saw the initial release of GameMaker Studio 2 beta,{{Cite news |url=https://www.pcgamesn.com/gamemaker-studio-2-beta |title=GameMaker Studio 2 enters beta |work=PCGamesN|access-date=8 May 2018}} with full release in March 2017.{{Cite web |url=http://www.gamefromscratch.com/post/2017/03/09/GameMaker-Studio-2-Released.aspx |title=GameMaker Studio 2 Released |last=GameFromScratch.com |first=Copyright |website=www.gamefromscratch.com|date=9 March 2017 |access-date=8 May 2018}} This version sports a completely redesigned IDE (rewritten in C#{{Cite web |url=http://www.gamesauce.biz/2017/04/05/gamemaker-studio-2-remade-stay-date/ |title=GameMaker Studio 2: Remade to Stay Up-to-date - Gamesauce: Global Inspiration for Game Developers |website=www.gamesauce.biz |language=en-US|access-date=8 May 2018}}) and a number of new editor and runtime features.

In August 2020, major update 2.3 was released, bringing a host of new features to IDE, runtime, and the scripting language.{{cite web |last1=Miller |first1=George |title=YoYo Games launches GameMaker Studio 2 version 2.3 |url=https://europeangaming.eu/portal/latest-news/2020/08/20/76397/yoyo-games-launches-gamemaker-studio-2-version-2-3/ |website=European Gaming Industry News |date=20 August 2020}}

In January 2021, YoYo Games was sold to Opera Software for roughly 10 million USD. The development team of GameMaker remains the same, and has not caused any major development changes to GameMaker Studio.{{cite web| url = https://www.destructoid.com/stories/opera-bought-the-owner-of-gamemaker-for-its-new-gaming-division-617344.phtml| title = Opera bought the owner of GameMaker for its new gaming division – Destructoid| date = 20 January 2021}}{{cite web| url = https://venturebeat.com/2021/01/20/opera-acquires-yoyo-games-for-10-million-and-launches-opera-gaming-division/| title = Opera acquires YoYo Games for $10 million and launches Opera Gaming division {{!}} VentureBeat| date = 20 January 2021}}{{cite press release| url = https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/opera-acquires-yoyo-games-launches-opera-gaming-301211728.html| title = Opera Acquires YoYo Games, Launches Opera Gaming}}

In August 2021, YoYo Games announced that they would be changing their licenses to offer a free version of the GameMaker engine.{{cite web |last1=Dealessandri |first1=Marie |title=oYo Games streamlines GameMaker licenses, offers new free version |url=https://www.gamesindustry.biz/articles/2021-08-10-yoyo-games-streamlines-gamemaker-licenses-offers-new-free-version |website=gamesindustry.biz |date=10 August 2021 |publisher=Gamer Network Limited, a ReedPop company}}

In January 2022, YoYo Games changed GameMaker Studio 2's numbering scheme so the version corresponds to the year and the month it was released (For example, 2022.1 for January 2022).{{Cite web |title=Version 2022.1 Release & "Feather" Reveal |url=https://gamemaker.io/en/blog/release-2022-1 |access-date=2022-07-29 |website=GameMaker |language=en}}

In April 2022, YoYo Games dropped the GameMaker Studio 2 name in order to match its new version numbering scheme, changing it to simply GameMaker.{{Cite web |title=GameMaker Brand Guidelines {{!}} Download The PDF |url=https://gamemaker.io/en/legal/brand |access-date=2022-07-29 |website=GameMaker |language=en}}

Douglas Clements of Indie Game Magazine wrote that the program "[s]implifies and streamlines game development" and is "easy for beginners yet powerful enough to grow as you develop", though noting that "resource objects have to be gathered if unable to create" and that licensing between Steam and the YoYo Games website is "convoluted".{{cite web |url=http://indiegamemag.com/gamemaker-studio-lord-over-the-pixels/ |title='GameMaker: Studio' – Lord Over The Pixels |author=Douglas Clements |website=Indie Games Magazine |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171222224901/http://indiegamemag.com/gamemaker-studio-lord-over-the-pixels/ |archive-date=22 December 2017 |access-date=19 January 2017}}

{{Reflist|30em}}

• {{Wikibooks inline|Programming:Game Maker}}
• {{Commons category-inline|GameMaker Studio}}

{{Video game engines}}

Category:Video game IDE

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Category:IOS video game engines

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