Game Maker

Got Game?Platforms

Consoles/Cell PhonesPC

ClassificationsCore Halo, Call of DutyCasual Chess, TetrisSerious Medical, Educational, Military

Gaming PlatformsConsole

Standard OSGame Pad InterfaceLicensing, Royalties

PCMinimum RequirementsKeyboard, Mouse, Game PadFreeware, Shareware, Independent License

Gaming GenresAction Quake, Halo, Wii Sport“Twitch” games often rely on eye/hand coordination. They are usually fast paced and winning is based on the player’s reflexes.

Strategy Starcraft, Age of Empires, PandemicEmphasizes logical thinking and strategic resource planning. Winning is based on critical decision making. Many are played by taking turns.

Gaming GenresAdventure Mist, Raven, Final FantasyAction with a story-line and puzzle solving. Winning takes action and inventory management.

Role Playing Games (RPGS) WoW, Guildwars Adventure with more reliance on character growth and development. There is Strategy because of some combat and management of reported statistics. Huge epic quests and fantasy with non-playing characters (NPC) are common.

Gaming GenresSports NFL, Links, NascarAlthough realism is the goal of the game, fantasy is no exception. Single or team players (networked) give instructions or direct manipulation.

Simulations Sim City, The Sims“God-games” where gamers build and manage cities, civilizations, traffic, etc. through realistic recreations of processes in the civil, animal or mechanical world

Gaming GenresMusic/Aerobic Dance RevolutionPlayed using one’s feet stomping options on a dance mat.

Puzzle/Classis Solitaire, Chess, Tetris

Casual games of leisure derived mostly from board, cards, trivia or tile games. Very profitable on cell phones.

Playing PerspectivesFirst PersonDeer Hunter, Halo(1st person shooter)

Third Person Tomb Raider

Facade

Playing PerspectivesTop Down Solitaire

Isometric Sim City

Flat, Side View Mario, Sonic

Text-based Zork

Game Development DisciplinesProgrammer AI, Physics, Engine, etc.

Art and Animation Character, Scene, etc.

Game Design Game, Level, Writer

Production Managers, Directors

Quality Assurance non-tech Beta-testers

Audio Engineers, Composers, Musicians

Business and Legal Accountants, Lawyers

Making the GamePre-production

Begin with a storyStory boardingWorld, Levels, Outcomes

Creating the CharacterPutting the Character in motion/UIDesigning ScenesCodePost ProductionMarketing

Sage Advice for “Indies”Remember: Game Play, Game Play, Game PlayBe a devoted gamer.Study games. Innovate.Learn to write, learn to draw, otherwise, hire someone who does.Learn the process. Write lots of small games to start with. No bugs!

Sage Advice for “Indies”Have fun doing it. Get excited about your work.Get inspiration from everywhere, novels, movies, books, history, etc.Make levels rich in possibilities.Get the player lost in the game.Try to retain ownership of your work.

Sage Advice for “Indies”Make crystal clear specs/design document.Know the limits of your platform.Never give up, patience is the key.Pay for professional voice talent.Excite everyone to your game with a 5 minute talk and a 1 page sell sheet.Work with a tight well-balanced team.

Incentives$16.7 Billion Video Game sales for 2005Emerging Market: Cell Phones

180,000,000 units sold in 2005.Tetris and Bejeweled are in 30+% of all cell phones. Each earns over $60,000,000 a year in royalties.Casual 2D. Addicting game play is the key.Create your demo using Game Maker.

2000-2014 U.S. Sales

IncentivesUntapped Market: “Chick” Games

Estimated at 2x the Death and Destruction market. $32 Billion per year.

Unlimited Market: Serious GamesCustom order. Client advances capital.Expanded definition of “gaming” in architectural, medical, military, educational, legal, commerce, etc.

Got Game?GENRES PERSPECTIVESAction First PersonStrategy Third PersonAdventure Top DownRole Playing IsometricSports Flat, Side ViewSimulations Text BasedMusic AerobicPuzzle/Classic

What is Gamemaker?Game EngineFree game engine available at yoyogamesSimple interfaceObject orientedGraphical user interface (menu driven)Primarily 2D with 3D extensions

Other Free Game EnginesAlicePanda 3DRPG ToolkitAdventure Game Studio