[Answered] Is GameMaker good for game development?

Answer

GameMaker Studio by YoYo Games is a popular engine for game development, particularly well-suited for beginners and indie developers due to its user-friendly interface and simple scripting language, GML (GameMaker Language). It's designed to be accessible to those without an extensive programming background while still providing enough depth for more experienced coders.

Pros:

Ease of use: Its drag-and-drop interface allows for quick prototyping and can be a great way to learn the basics of game logic and design.
GML: While simple, GML is a powerful scripting language that allows more advanced users to create complex games.
Cross-platform: GameMaker supports export to various platforms including Windows, macOS, HTML5, Android, iOS, PlayStation, and Xbox.
Community and Resources: There's a strong community of developers and a wealth of tutorials, forums, and third-party assets to help with learning and development.

Cons:

Performance: For very resource-intensive games, GameMaker may not perform as well as engines like Unity or Unreal.
3D capabilities: GameMaker's 3D capabilities are limited when compared to other engines. It's primarily designed for 2D games.
License costs: To export to multiple platforms, it requires purchasing different licenses which may add up.

Overall, GameMaker is good for indie developers and beginners looking to make primarily 2D games. Its simplicity allows new developers to jump in without being overwhelmed, while its scripting language provides depth for creating more sophisticated projects. For larger scale or 3D intensive projects, you might want to consider other engines.

// Example of a simple GameMaker Language (GML) code for moving an object

if (keyboard_check(vk_left)) {
    x -= 4; // Move left
}
if (keyboard_check(vk_right)) {
    x += 4; // Move right
}