Game+Development


 * So you want to make the next cool game?**

=Getting started - GameMaker: =

In order to start working on your game, your first step is to download a free copy of "GameMaker Lite" from yoyogames at []. After a quick download, you're ready to make your first game!

What kind of games can you make?

Pretty much anything you can think of! GameMaker comes complete with all the resources and built-in tutorials that show you how to create virtually anything you have the time and imagination for. GameMaker comes with several built-in gaming templates that can be modified to create your own unique version of very popular games. But why limit yourself to templates? With the proper coding and endless access to create your own files, interactions, environments, and so forth, designing a video game is limited only by your imagination and ability to design simple codes and processes.

Possible future of game design:

With websites such as miniclip.com hosting thousands of user-submitted (and rather addicting!) browser-based games, game design isn't limited to companies with cutting edge technology and years of game development experience. With GameMaker, anyone with a computer can create and design video games. Most browser-based games started just like this! This is also a great place to build your portfolio if you ever wanted to land a job with the higher-tech game development companies. With GameMaker's teach-yourself capabilities, in addition to their advice and technical forums, along with tutorials and samples of other games, anyone can teach themselves the basics of game design.

 Overview of development process

The development process begins by creating "sprites," or the visual representation of the various characters or elements to be interacted with by the user in the game itself. Sprites can be found in resource databases, a simple Google search, or even created by-hand by the user! Next, these sprites need to be told to do something. Objects are then created and take the form of the sprites by assigning the sprite to the object. Objects are then given different behaviors and actions, such as what happens when objects collide, are clicked on, after a timer runs out, and limitless other conditions. Conditions are generally as any event that could possibly happen to your object. For example, you can create a zombie that will start oward a target object on the screen, and if the zombie touches it, well - anything you tell it to do can happen. Perhaps the zombie will destroy the other object, or maybe they'll fuse into some strange undead monstrosity. Like I said - it's all under your control. Developers can also add different stages and levels to game, and the conditions under which the player reaches them. A score can be created and tracked, objectives can be assigned to the player, and of course, failure conditions can come along with them. Each stage can be given a background, and music can be added to assist with the authenticity of the game and help players feel more in-tune with the setting of the game. Once you're satisfied with the outcome of your game, and you've played through it a few times to make sure it works without kinks and is "fun enough" for it to be an addictive hit, publish it as an executable and upload it to the internet or send it to your friends!

Here's a video representation of this overview and more! Check it out for a detailed walk-through of current trends, applications of games, and the basics of designing a basic (but still cool!) computer game: media type="file" key="Game Design.wmv"

For more information you can visit: []

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 ASU offers a Gaming Development Certificate (classes listed under "CPI") to provide more interested students with hands-on instruction. Check out the website below on some general information about the program: []