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[laserghost]

I get interested when I hear about some new program that really simplifies the game creation process so anyone can do it. I'm excited about Kodu- it's built for anyone to understand. And it's fun, too. There's a lot of other apps like that popping up these days, I especially like the browser-based ones. They don't often allow for much innovation exactly, but I like the idea that any kid can mess around for ten minutes and make a neat game, all their own. I'd like to get together a good list of these things.

[I'd say there's probably two types of these tools, the higher-functionality types like GM and Multimedia Fusion, and the more toy-like ones like Mockingbird or Sploder. I mostly want to discuss the toy-like kind listed below, but I'll list some of the others separately as a distinction.]


http://scratch.mit.edu/ - Neat learning tool aimed at kids.
http://www.simscarnival.com/view/create/gamecreator - there's a front page article on this one.
http://www.playcrafter.com/html/index2.php - pretty slick interface on this one, in browser.
http://www.sploder.com/ - Platform games or shooters with premade graphics, also in browser.
http://playmockingbird.com/ - You can take existing games and re-mix them. In browser, and you can upload custom art.
http://www.fyrebug.com/ - pre-made genres, custom art, in browser
http://zarat.us/olc - you'll know this one. It's like a game mash-up thingy.
http://marketplace.xbox.com/en-US/games/media/66acd000-77fe-1000-9115-d8025855024c/ - Kodu!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UdnI9T1ZeVY - A preview of Warioware DIY for DS.
http://batmangamecreator.cartoonnetwork.com/ - Wanna make a Batman game? Here you go.
http://gameweaver.com/ - log in to make some games online.
http://www.mygamebuilder.com/ - build games.
http://www.nintendo.com/games/detail/ZIhL8DajewM6w7pMaFOVrFYkcAh9T0dn - Customize shooters on the Wii.




Here are some of the more high-functioning types that can be more versatile but a bit harder to jump into.

Here's a comprehensive list of these kind of programs: http://www.ambrosine.com/resource.php
http://www.yoyogames.com - GM
http://www.clickteam.com/eng/mmf2.php - MMF
http://www.scirra.com/ - Construct
http://unity3d.com/ - Unity 3D
http://www.bigbluecup.com/ - Adventure Game Studio
http://gamesalad.com/ - For all you Mac people out there!
http://www.crankeye.com/index.php?page=downloads - Some various incarnations of RPGmaker.
http://www.gamebrix.com/ - Subscription based, in-browser creation tool.
http://www.byond.com/ - Make some online *multiplayer* games for free!
http://www.zgameeditor.org/ - makes 64kb games, even 3d ones.

You guys know of any others? I'll add here if there's more I see.

[laserghost]

Oh yeah! There's that new Warioware game coming out soon where you can make your own microgames too:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UdnI9T1ZeVY

[Mipe]

You'll find Construct pretty powerful in that regard.

[Stegersaurus]

XBox indie games has Kodu Game Lab
http://marketplace.xbox.com/en-US/games/media/66acd000-77fe-1000-9115-d8025855024c/

[AdamAtomic]

http://unity3d.com/ (teh bests)
http://gamesalad.com/ (made right here in austin)

[laserghost]

XBox indie games has Kodu Game Lab
http://marketplace.xbox.com/en-US/games/media/66acd000-77fe-1000-9115-d8025855024c/

I'm stoked for Kodu! Maybe I should get me a 360...

Also: added all those others to the main list above, plus some others like this: http://batmangamecreator.cartoonnetwork.com/

[DjangoDurango]

I use RPG Maker 2000, but there's been three versions released since then. 2003, XP, and VX. The last two aren't cheap, but 2000 and 2003 are free. They all come with assets included so you can start right in on the game making, but you can also upload your own stuff too.

[Zest]

Sounds interesting- how do you get 200 or 2003 for free?

[laserghost]

Added RPGmaker to the list, and some others.

There's this one I saw years ago, but I can't remember the url or name of the site. All I remember is it featured some pre-existing characters that were parodies of video game archetypes like "The Plumber" or "The Princess." It also boasted a game being created for it by someone well-known or famous, but I can't remember who. Does that ring a bell for anyone?

[c--b]

ZGameEditor: Has a demo scene kind of look to it, I haven't tried it myself.

[falsion]

Sounds interesting- how do you get 200 or 2003 for free?

I don't think it's actually "free" just that it's been fan translated to the extent where people don't even know it's a commercial application anymore. Enterbrain used to say that they'd never bring the PC versions of RPG Maker outside Japan due to piracy during the RPG Maker 2000 days, but eventually they began to localize and sell their own products to English starting with XP and VX.

[laserghost]

added ZGameEditor. Looks pretty cool, I think it said music can even be made in it. I'll have to look into it more.

I'm also kind of thinking of including certain games that let you 'play designer' as part of the gameplay in this list. Here's the two I was thinking about:

http://www.kloonigames.com/blog/games/m3 - Molesting the Match 3 Market
http://www.yoyogames.com/games/show/45671 - BlockOn!

[laserghost]

Added http://www.mygamebuilder.com/

I'm going to include this game too, Blast Works. Heard it's really fun.

[PaleFox]

Sounds interesting- how do you get 200 or 2003 for free?

I should point out the reason 2k and 2k3 are "free" in English is due to piracy at the time and the lack of a true English version. RPGMaker 2000 was translated by a college student and tossed onto the internet back in the day, and it is widespread, but nonetheless an unofficial and illegal thing. The later programs (XP and VX) have actual, proper English versions for licensing - in the case that you want to sell your game, you need to pay for and use these, I believe.