Tag Archives: Game Maker

Animated Texture Water Example

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I was recently Looking over my old water example, and I decided I could make something that looks a little better.  So I dove into Game Maker (and Photoshop of course) and produced, what I feel, is a much nicer and more realistic water effect.

This water still doesn’t use any other geometry other than planes to create the effect (ie, no actual wave effects), but the new animated texture adds a new level of detail that my previous example just couldn’t pull off with only a few layers of static textures.  I used a similar texture in my old fishing game demo, and I am planning on posting a full tutorial on how to create the effect in Photoshop soon.

The 3D example also includes code for a skybox (courtesy of Yourself), and I will post a tutorial in the future on how to create compatible skybox textures with Terragen as well, too.

Anyway, the zip includes a 2D and 3D version of the example, for both GM6 and GM7.  I’d appreciate that you use this for learning only – so don’t use the artwork (animations / skybox) without obtaining permission from me first, please!

Download here (3.68 Mb) and enjoy!

An Entertaining Weekend

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Though it still feels like I got the required amount of relaxation this weekend, I look back on all the stuff I did (or played and watched, to be more specific) and almost feel like I couldn’t have.  Throughout the weekend I’ve watched two movies, beaten one game, played through a good amount of another, spent a good portion of time with my girlfriend, and even got some work done on some web / game stuff I’ve been meaning to do.

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Wanderlust: Rebirth Demo Available!

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I’m pleased to announce that Team Wanderlust has finally unveiled a ‘public’ demo of Wanderlust: Rebirth, a game that many (myself included) feel is already one of the richest experiences crafted with Game Maker to date.

The game, a solo / online action RPG, represents a re-imagining of the original Wanderlust game, of sorts.  Upon starting, players can choose from a handful of classes, and can level up their character with points as they progress through the game’s chapters.  Each chapter that is completed unlocks the next, and can be repeated again in order to obtain a higher rating, and earn more points.

Rebirth also features an intuitive dialog system, killer retro 16-bit style graphics, customizable controls, and of course, online play.  Using the Reflect account system, or by connecting directly, players can join up with each other and play through chapters as a party of up to 4 players.  The co-op gameplay is actually encouraged, as the game awards alternate scores for different group sizes, so if you want to complete the game in its entirety (and have some fun to boot), gather up some buddies and have at it!

I’ve really enjoyed watching this game as it is developed, and it’s great to see it finally released to the public, and finding a warm reception therein.  A lot of work has been put into this game by just a handful of talented people, and I hope to see it finished in the time to come.

Matt, Rebirth’s chief programmer, has also given me some great ideas to expand the functionality of Reflect as well – you’ll see some of his suggestions come to fruition in future updates.

Anyway, I highly recommend you take the game for a test drive.  I’m sure you’ll agree with the growing consensus that the new Wanderlust is truly an epic game, with lots to do, and lots of rewards for both the casual and the dedicated alike.

Wanderlust: Rebirth’s topic at the GMC can be found here, or you can download the game directly here.  Discussion about Wanderlust is available at the GMC link above, or at the Reflect Games forums, here.

Good show Team Wanderlust!

Reflect Games – 6000+ Members Strong

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I’m proud to announce that Reflect Games has gained its 6000th member!

It’s been a long journey for me, starting up Reflect, and working through a lot of ups and downs, fast times, and slow times.  It’s been a lot of fun, and I hope that it continues to be so as we push on into the future.

I’ve not had as much time to work on games recently, but I have worked on things slowly over the last few months.  I’ve got a game in the works for the next YYG competition, and I still plan on finishing up some of my more undercooked projects at some point, and getting the site update for Reflect out eventually, too.  I usually find time to visit the Reflect Games forums, to interact with the community and help people with their work, and I’m always interested in previewing projects people may want to utilize the Reflect system as well.  As time goes on, I will have more time for creating things myself as well – I’m just doing a lot of commuting for work right now, and that has a habit of making my free time scarce.

In any case, this is a very happy time for the Reflect community and myself, and I hope that if you have not yet checked out Reflect Games, you will take this opportunity to do so.  Many people have put a lot of hard work into making Reflect what it is today.  It’s a fun place to be, and I thank everyone for helping it continue to be that way.

I might be working on a special giveaway to commemorate this milestone as well – more on that later though.  Thanks for reading!

Game Maker Games at GDC08

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GDC08

Last Thursday, I was finally able to take off from work a few hours early and head over to San Francisco to check out GDC08!

My only prior exposure to GDC was the heavy media coverage through sites like IGN and Joystiq, and even though they usually deliver a pretty comprehensive record of the event, it’s a completely different experience to actually be there. It was positively overwhelming, in all the right ways.

By now if you’ve followed GDC08 at all, you’ve probably already read about most of the crazy stuff there, like the headset that (theoretically) allows you to control games via thought power, the various presentations of motion capture software and hardware, and of course, all the game announcements. So I won’t write too much about that stuff. What I do want to share is the acclaim two Game Maker games had achieved via the Independent Games Festival.

Clean Asia Battleships Forever Crazy Motorized Driving Game Setup

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