Tools

This page provides links to additional information about the tools you will use for your projects. The basic version of Game Maker can be freely downloaded. Most students prefer to use the advanced version of GameMaker ($20, purchase registration key from YoYo Games web site).

Students working on a role playing game (RPG) project are strongly advised to use RPG Maker, which is also easy to learn, and is tailored to this genre ($60 license). Game Maker is not nearly as well suited for creating RPGs as RPG Maker, though it is possible.

Students who want to make their game on a Macintosh may wish to consider Power Game Factory, which can be used to make side-scrolling action games (platformers). This game was successfully used by one student team in CS 80K in Winter 2006. Another interesting Mac-based tool is Unity. Note that we are unable to provide technical support for teams creating games with Power Game Factory or Unity, so choosing these tools will involve more work in learning the tool, and greater levels of initiative in seeking help with problems from public forums or the company that creates the tool.

Advanced teams might want to consider using SlugForge, a web-based project management web site that provides version control, mailing lists, a project web site, and more.