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[Randy]

Hello tigsource

My name is Randy and I've been following the main page and playing all the wonderful indie games that get posted there for some time and have finally decided to get off my duff and try some game making myself.  That, of course, requires some learn'n first.

I went and got a copy of Game Maker and I'm currently going though the tutorials from the site but then I got a head of myself and looked at some of the tutorials here and some examples too.  I see that right away people don't use the "drag and drop" system they have set up in Game Maker.  Code seems to be the language of choice.  So my question is this?  Am I wasting my time learning the drag and drop system?  Will I be limiting my games or what I can do with them? Is the Game Maker code easier to learn after I know more about the drag and drop method?

Sorry about all the questions...  the code just caught me off guard.  See, I'm an artist/animator by trade (heck, I already work in the games industry) and I know beans about any kind of code.  I'm so not code minded    So yeah... just want to make sure that I'm not setting myself for a fall when I get to the end of the tutorial and find out that I should have been leaning the code all along.

Thank you ^_^

[skaldicpoet9]

Hello there Randy, welcome to Tigsoource

As for your question it is my understanding that the drag and drop interface, I think that it is best to stick with whatever you are comfortable with at first and then slowly try to work your way into using GML (Game Maker Language).

Personally, I still use the drag and drop because I am still a GM noob. However, the faster you learn GML the more things you can do, so yes, you are limited by the drag and drop interface somewhat.

Anyways, I hope you figure it out....oh, and you might want to post an introduction here

[ஒழுக்கின்மை (Paul Eres)]

Game Maker's drag and drop system is limited but you can still make pretty good games with it. Many of Mr. Chubigans' games, as well as games like Seiklus, are largely or entirely done in drag and drop.

I don't actually know if it's best not to use drag and drop at first and go right to code, I've never used drag and drop for anything myself in Game Maker, I've only used code in it. So I don't know what to advise you do.

Even if you make games primarily through drag and drop, you'll eventually come across something that can only be done through code. Game Maker has a lot of functionality, and much of that functionality is only accessible through code.

But yes, the vast majority of good Game Maker games do not use drag and drop, although a few very good ones do.

[JasonPickering]

I would suggest doing the tutorials with the drag and drop, because these give you an idea of coding, and setting variables and all that. but you are definetly going to want to learn GML. so once you understand how the game works I suggest taking up GML. another thing that is nice if you go on the gamemaker website they have a wiki which explains every GML, and there are spots on the net that basically break down every drag and drop into gml. basically think of it like this.

if your building a peice of furniture, your drag and drops are your saw, hammer, and nails. but when you start using GML, now you have different saw types, and all the crazy tools that lowe's is just filled with it. it is possible to make a game with the drag and drop, but GML allows you to be more intricate.

also do not make a 50 hour MMO in 3D as your first game. start small. try and make a version of pong, with your own twist or something like that.

[Randy]

Hello there Randy, welcome to Tigsoource

As for your question it is my understanding that the drag and drop interface, I think that it is best to stick with whatever you are comfortable with at first and then slowly try to work your way into using GML (Game Maker Language).

Personally, I still use the drag and drop because I am still a GM noob. However, the faster you learn GML the more things you can do, so yes, you are limited by the drag and drop interface somewhat.

Anyways, I hope you figure it out....oh, and you might want to post an introduction here

Thanks for the link.  I was looking for an obligatory introduction thread ^_^

I hope I figure it out too.  I don't think like a programmer and so I find that when I try to learn code my mind starts to wander.  I really sucks.

Thanks again.

[Randy]

Game Maker's drag and drop system is limited but you can still make pretty good games with it. Many of Mr. Chubigans' games, as well as games like Seiklus, are largely or entirely done in drag and drop.

I don't actually know if it's best not to use drag and drop at first and go right to code, I've never used drag and drop for anything myself in Game Maker, I've only used code in it. So I don't know what to advise you do.

Even if you make games primarily through drag and drop, you'll eventually come across something that can only be done through code. Game Maker has a lot of functionality, and much of that functionality is only accessible through code.

But yes, the vast majority of good Game Maker games do not use drag and drop, although a few very good ones do.

Well, I'm glad to know that there are others using the drag and drop method.  That makes me fell better.  To be honest, the code does scare me a bit, but I'll learn what I can (or ask for help ^_^).  I'm sure I'll get the hang of it.

[Randy]

I would suggest doing the tutorials with the drag and drop, because these give you an idea of coding, and setting variables and all that. but you are definetly going to want to learn GML. so once you understand how the game works I suggest taking up GML. another thing that is nice if you go on the gamemaker website they have a wiki which explains every GML, and there are spots on the net that basically break down every drag and drop into gml. basically think of it like this.

if your building a peice of furniture, your drag and drops are your saw, hammer, and nails. but when you start using GML, now you have different saw types, and all the crazy tools that lowe's is just filled with it. it is possible to make a game with the drag and drop, but GML allows you to be more intricate.

also do not make a 50 hour MMO in 3D as your first game. start small. try and make a version of pong, with your own twist or something like that.

Wow, that's a great way to explain the code vs drag and drop to an art head like me.  Thanks ^_^

Oh, and my first idea should be a simple one.  At least it's simple in my head.  We'll soon see.

[agj]

You could also try Construct, too. The games I've made in that use no code at all. It's still in beta, though.

[Don Andy]

You could also try Construct, too. The games I've made in that use no code at all. It's still in beta, though.

Yes, I second this. It takes a different approach at things than Game Maker, but once you got behind it, it's ultimately easier to manage without coding anything.