On November 15, 1999, Mark Overmars released his program called Game Maker to the public. Ironically, when Mark Overmars was a kid, there were no computer games to play, but he invented a program which allows children to create their own computer games (mark.glog.yoyogames.com). Designing, programming, and interfacing are three important aspects of creating an appealing and entertaining computer game.
First of all, to design a game on the computer a person needs an active imagination in order to create different game levels, characters, and backgrounds. Level designing is the creation or mapping of game levels in a video or computer game. Especially it is important that the levels not boring or too difficult or the player will not enjoy playing, and thus the game will be a failure. A good game has levels in which the difficulty increases as you move forward and the tasks or enemies are not way too easy or hard to defeat. Also, the game should be original. Additionally, each level must have a unique environment. All levels must be winnable.
After all the levels are finished, a set of characters need to be put together. The person putting the game together must think of the characters that he or she wants in the game. It is best to sketch these characters on a piece of paper and then draw it using a computer painting program called Microsoft Paint or Adobe Photoshop. After that, the characters can then have clothing, equipment, or other items such as weapons added on top.
After designing the levels and characters, the background needs to be added. When making backgrounds, designers must ask themselves, “Does the background move or light up?” If the background moves, then a layer of frames is put together. To make a background look bright, add shading to parts of the frame. According to a computer game judge, Karrie Jacobs, “a rule of thumb about designing: a great designer is one who gets his or her inspiration from anything other than the work of his or her contemporaries” (Hiebert 9). So it is important that when you make a game you create something original. After putting levels, characters, and backgrounds together, you will have the basic look of your game.
The next step in making a game is programming. In order to make the levels, characters, and background move, game creators can program using Game Maker Language (GML). The special term for coding in GML is called “scripting.” “In a computer program, a script is a small program or sequence of instructions that is interpreted or carried out by another program rather than by the computer processor” (searchenterpriselinux.com). An example, from GML is a code which makes a character jump, is as follows:
If not(place_free(x,y,,) then
{
Gravity = 0;
}
Else
{
Gravity = 0.4
}
The two main parts of scripting are unit coding and encounter coding. Amazingly, unit coding is used for moving animals or people. When coding units it is important to remember the game user will need to push buttons in order to move the characters. This means that the unit code must be related to certain buttons on the keyboard or mouse. Fantastically, unit coding is also used when a character interacts with other characters or moves across the screen. For example, x and y coordinates can be coded into maps for a character to move in.
In order for a character to use objects such as swords or balls, you will need to script using encounter codes. If a character met another character, for example, the script code may give the options for fighting, talking, or passing by. Programming your game with unit and encounter scripts which are interesting and full of action will make the game fantastic.
Finally, sounds and music are important for creating mood in your game. One type of sound is action noise. These sound effects might happen when a character shoots a gun and at that exact moment a loud “BANG” occurs over the computer's speakers. Equally important to these sound effects are sounds which repeat over and over. Background music needs to be happening during the whole game. For example, if it was a shooting game, rock or metal music might be playing, while a game like Mario Brothers has upbeat, funny music.
After further learning and practicing, designers, programmers, and interfacers can begin to understand more and more about game making with Game Maker. There are many advantages to learning about computer technology, such as; better understanding of regular school and getting more experience in computer technology. Game Maker helps you learn math, language arts, art, and working in a team. If you want to make a more detailed game, then you should make it in a team. Kids should try making games with Game Maker.
