Can GameMaker create simulation games/management sims?

[Larry the Cacodemon]

I know GameMaker can create games like 2D platformers and the like, but what about games that are suppose to simulate things? For example, could the game create something that is like (though perhaps not as complex) Sim City where there is lots of stuff and number crunching going on in the background which the player doesn't notice?

The reason I ask is because I am really into politics and I am wondering if GameMaker can be used to create some kind of economic simulation game.

[Stylius]

With Game Maker you could make any 2D game (it has limited 3D support, but for 2D it is perfect). You should however know that this is just a tool it does not have a wizard that you click next to generate a game. With enough skills and time you could make all kinds of 2D games.

I would recommend starting with simple projects until you get yourself familiar with Game Maker and only then consider large and complicate projects such as Sim City. Jumping directly to large projects usually leads to frustration and abandoning the project.

[Larry the Cacodemon]

The fact I haven't used game maker before does not automatically means men I have no experience making things. Also, I am not sure if the stuff you said is a yes or a no. You said it is possible to make "all kinds of 2D games". Does this means that you can make this kind of a game then as long as your have the time and know-how?

That's all I really need to know, because I want to know if this software is only good for making platformers and RPG's or if it is more flexible then that. You are still correct that I probably won't go straight to making sims/managment games, but its a goal of mine to make it at some point.

[Stylius]

I apologize if I offended you in some way. Yes, you can make Sim City types of games with Game Maker, but it would require some programming knowledge. Game Maker has a scripting language (GML - Game Maker Language), which would enable to to make any 2D game. It would however be more complicate than simple platformers, which do not require much programming and could be done just with drag'n'drop.

[Sera]

Honestly a simple sim game wouldn't be hard to pull off at all. Building on that base once you have it is more a matter of knowing where you're going with it than anything else.

[Larry the Cacodemon]

Originally posted by Stylius:

I apologize if I offended you in some way. Yes, you can make Sim City types of games with Game Maker, but it would require some programming knowledge. Game Maker has a scripting language (GML - Game Maker Language), which would enable to to make any 2D game. It would however be more complicate than simple platformers, which do not require much programming and could be done just with drag'n'drop.

No, you did not offend me in anyway. I apoligize myself if I came of as angry. I am glad to hear that gamemaker can make these kinds of games. I will probably buy it and start getting familar with it.

Speaking of that though, which package should I buy anyways? There is the free version which I don't want because it looks too limited, there is the super expensive master collection which I won't buy, and then there are 2 other options: Pro and Professional. What is the difference between the 2? Which is better?

[Sera]

Standard and Pro are pretty similar, with the primary difference being modules. Pro can be expanded with anything in the Master Collection (which is literally Pro + all the modules), but you only really need it if you're planning to export to iOS or Android for the most part. If you're targetting desktops or just getting started, Standard is a fine option, but grab it through Yoyo directly; they'll give you a Steam key for the version you get, and their upgrade model is a lot nicer (and more frequently discounted) than Steam's.

[Larry the Cacodemon]

Originally posted by Zaron X:

Standard and Pro are pretty similar, with the primary difference being modules. Pro can be expanded with anything in the Master Collection (which is literally Pro + all the modules), but you only really need it if you're planning to export to iOS or Android for the most part. If you're targetting desktops or just getting started, Standard is a fine option, but grab it through Yoyo directly; they'll give you a Steam key for the version you get, and their upgrade model is a lot nicer (and more frequently discounted) than Steam's.

If I buy it from their site and I get a steam key, then can I still download or re-download the software from both their site and from STEAM? And how is their upgrade model different from steam's?

[Sera]

I'm not sure how Yoyo is handling the license directly because I'm the sod who bought it throught Steam directly, but Steam at the very least ties the license to your account, not your computer or install, so worst case the Steam version is there on any computer you're signed in on, but I've not heard many complaints about the stand-alone version so I can't imagine it's anything too outrageous on that end either.

The licensing difference is that via Yoyo, there is a price for upgrading from Standard to Pro, whereas on Steam there's not; Pro is treated like normal DLC, so the price is the same if you're going from Standard or going from Free. There's no discount if you have a lesser Steam version and want to upgrade, in other words, but through Yoyo there is, and when Studio's inevitable successor comes along the Steam version won't be seeing any upgrade deals there, either, I imagine.

[Larry the Cacodemon]

I see. But is there any reason to not buy from STEAM other than price difference?

[Sera]

So long as you don't mind needing to be logged in to run the software, not particularly. Some people have weird glitches with the PLAY/MAKE screen they added in to access Workshop items, but that seems relatively rare and I don't think anyone's ever been unable to find a solution for it.

[Larry the Cacodemon]

I see, I think will probably buy the STEAM version then since I don't have a problem with needing STEAM.

[Bruford]

Buy from YoYo and you get a steam key from them as well as a standalone. Buy from Steam and the reverse does not apply. Definitely buy from yoyo and get the best of both worlds.

[Larry the Cacodemon]

Sorry, I have already bought the STEAM version. I don't think it will matter, though.

[ruinedroast]

For the most part, if in 2D, yes. Remember, it's not what you use.. it's how you use it. However, there are a few differences between other development engines and this one.

[Larry the Cacodemon]

Originally posted by Jacob Szall:

For the most part, if in 2D, yes. Remember, it's not what you use.. it's how you use it. However, there are a few differences between other development engines and this one.

What would those differences be?