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.

[Stonth]

Bottom line (Or my story as it kind of ended up being): Game Maker is pretty flexible, and you can do more with it as you get better at it. I started when I was 7, didn't think of YouTube tutorials, and randomly tried to make a game about a secret agent. At this point, I could make something that loosely resembled a platform engine. A year later, I started learning from YouTube, and discovered the list of built in functions and variables. I created a working platform engine from this, as well as some RPGs, a dance game, and a pokemonish game. Towards the end of this stage I took the leap into GML (Game Maker Language) and never looked back at drag and drop. A few years after that I discovered the Game Maker Community (GMC) and then broke free of any final restrictions I had (other than making 3d models which I am still awful at). Now I'm #pro (Unitl I see some of the games on GMC, then I kind of feel #novice-intermediate). Anyways, my suggestion if you are new is go on the Game Maker Community, introduce yourself, watch Shaun Spalding's (I think it was him) platform tutorial, and before you know it, you'll be #almostpro. I wish I had known these resources when I first started out.

In-Depth Platformer:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9w4wOCNEa1c

GMC:
http://gmc.yoyogames.com/

Oh, and the GMCJam is going on right now. I HIGHLY suggest that you check it out, maybe participate.

GMCJam:
http://gmc.yoyogames.com/index.php?showtopic=606847