The Many Benefits of Game Maker

Posted by frank34443 on Feb. 5, 2007, 10:27 p.m.

So if you read my previous blog entry, I started my new semester today… It was aight, if you know what I mean (lol). I think Im gonna make a lot of new friends and everything, but the main highlight of the day was what happened in computer class. The computer teacher sort of introduced himself, whatever, whatever, and then sort of wanted to see where the class stood in terms of computer skills. He said, "Who has turned on a computer before?" *Everyone Raised Hands*, then he said, "Okay good, who has ever brought software for their computer?" *Most of the class raises their hands*, then he said, "Who can make a website using a web page editor?" *Most people raise their hands*, then he says, "Who can make a website with just HTML?" *Some people and me raise their hands*, okay now comes the cool part… Next he said, "Who has done a bit of programming before?", and wouldn't you know it, I RAISED MY HAND, No one else did=D!!! Then I could see the teacher was impressed (Not that I wanna impress the teacher, but I just felt really special from all those people knowing I was the only one who actually had any idea about programming. The teacher asked me what programming language I used and I said.. "GML, its not very well known, but its a programming language non the less." Did this make me look stupid? I don't think so, I mean GML is a programming language with a similar syntax to C. Well anyways, I think Im the best with computers in this class, and also think that Im gonna Ace it no problem, which is more than what I did last semester.

Oh, if your wondering from my last blog, my marks were horrible, I won't even post them, but Ill say that I got all four credits, and that my new semester is gonna be great.

Ok before I close this entry, I just wanna fit in some stuff about GM… First thing is first… My TDS, which is getting so big that it takes about 1 min to load, is coming along, but I need to find a way to speed it up so I won't get bored while making it. I also need to organize it so that I can actually work out what to work on next. It should have some real progress in the next few weeks. Here's a pic, I think graphics wise its above average, and in gameplay its about average, if not above average, I mean it has some pretty nice AI, the only problem is that mp_potential_step doesn't seem to work and so the soldiers keep getting stuck in walls..hmm… Okay I'm done for the day, what do you think about my day today?

Oh a major edit, heres a screen of the first mission in my TDS. This is a pretty weird level so the graphics aren't really top notch, but I have another pic somewhere lying around which has about 3 or 4 times better graphics.

<img src="http://img112.imageshack.us/img112/7351/pic28es.png" alt="Image Hosted by ImageShack.us"/>

Comments

Rob 17 years, 9 months ago

Quote:

aight

Yay! a new word! I knew you mean alright though..

frank34443 17 years, 9 months ago

Yeah, I was being sarcastic by saying Aight, instead of alright, because it sounds way more slangy <– Look a new word…

ultim8p00 17 years, 9 months ago

you know what everyone thought? They weren't like "Ooh he's so smart"

They prolly were like "Omg uber nerd hahaha", u know, classic haterade

also rob, new word: prolly and haterade

Kaz 17 years, 9 months ago

Quote:
Well anyways, I think Im the best with computers in this class, and also think that Im gonna Ace it no problem, which is more than what I did last semester.
Considering I taught you some of what you know, of course you will ace it! I got a 4.0 in my college programming class [:D]

frank34443 17 years, 9 months ago

What do you mean uber-nerd? This is the 21st century man, it doesn't make you a nerd if your good at computers. I mean.. most of the people in that class I already knew, and Im not one of those broken glasses kind of guys, so its all cool.

frank34443 17 years, 9 months ago

@Kaz: sorry just missed your post… Well anyways, I wonder if I could convince my teacher to get GM for the class??? That would be cool… I wonder if java is different from GML.. probably harder, but Iv'e seen some of it and it doesnt look hard.

Kenon 17 years, 9 months ago

Java is harder than GML, yes, but it is much faster. You have to delcare classes, import in packages, and other stuff that is just tedious. Best idea to learn Java is not in a class, but by the same way you learn GML. RTFM!!!!!!!

Theodore III 17 years, 9 months ago

We use GM in class occaisionally, me and my friends just sit there and do nothing, cause the teacher knows we are already good at it, and we help others if we feel like it.

XD

Dom 17 years, 9 months ago

hmm computers sounds fun

that looks alright nice HUD

um load fster i know load the reasources externaly into the game and also kill the ones your not using anymore to make it run faster

eg a image of a guy that in the first level only so after the level ends delete the image to make it go faster

Coffee 17 years, 9 months ago

I love sharing my games with my friends, it makes me feel so smart and cool sometimes, but it can also make you feel a bit "nerdy" too. Also, an idea on how to make your game a little faster, is to make is that if a certain object, lets say the wall, is a certain distance away from the main guy, most likely the distance will be farther than you can see, then the wall is not visible, this allows the computer to draw less instances, including the ones you can't see in the screen view. Just an idea, works for me somethings. ^_^