Using game play & development to educate
The Games Factory 2 vs. Game Maker 8.1 Pro
I recently attended a TxDLA (Texas Distance Learning Association) session on Games Factory 2 called, Game Design in Your Pajamas by Pamela Dooley, and wanted to share, briefly, my opinion on TGF2 vs. GM8.1.
- Both can be downloaded from the Web and used for FREE
— TGF2: to create an .exe (executable file) you must have full version
+ GM8.1: an .exe file can be create from the Lite or Pro version - Both programs are fairly affordable:
— TGF2 = $59
+ GM8.1 = $25 (changing to $40 June 1, 2011) - Both incorporate a graphical user interface for programming
+ GM8.1: programming interface is more simplistic and organized in an
easy-to-understand, logical manner than that of TGF2 (*opinion1*) - Both contain an internal graphics library with minor editing features, simple animated graphics, as well as allows you to upload your own graphics
+ TGF2 has much higher quality graphics available in its internal library - TGF2 sells a converter to change your program executable files into flash/SWF files for posting and playing finished games on the Web (TGF2 + Converter = $123.37); GM8.1 does not
- GM8.1 is a flexible interface that allows users to program visually only, or add additional functionality through GML code-based programming when they are ready to move to the next level; TGF2 does not have coding capabilities
Please understand, these are facts from the software maker’s websites, as well as my opinions based on my experience (GM8.1), observations (TGF2 & GM8.1) and discussions (TGF2 & GM8.1). The TxDLA conference sessions I attended were only 50 minutes long, and not hands-on. Ms. Pamela Dooley did an exceptional job putting together a cohesive and successful DL game development curriculum using TGF2, in which I gained valuable knowledge regarding the software, best practices and course sequencing.
If you have opinions on these two pieces of software, or thoughtful/constructive comments on what I have posted, please share them as this can help others decide which software would be best for their students.
I use the games factory 2 (full version), and it is way better and more simple then game maker 8.1 lite or pro i mess around with lite and it takes longer to make simple movement then it takes me or anyone to make with the games factory, game maker is just a long process of coding and messing around for like 25 five minutes trying to find out all the stuff, games factory’s simpler to learn and much, much, faster then game maker. but its just my opinion.
Hi Sam,
Thank you for your feedback. I’m excited that I will be getting some hands-on time and the opportunity to see several game development software at a conference I will be attending very soon. TGF2, Game Maker, Scratch, Blue Mars, Gamestar Mechanic, Microsoft XNA, etc. What I like about Game Maker is that the user has a toolbar that includes all of the tools they would need, in simple mode, to create a game. The library mounted on the left of the screen is perfect for easy-access to the components added to the game. When you go to program your objects, it’s pretty much all visual programming…using drag and drop, drop-down menus and selecting buttons and clicking to create functionality and design a game.
Taking the discussion a little further, I prefer the logical flow of conditional statements (IF/THEN) to set-up how a game will function. For instance, there are 3 sections to the object window where you program:
<1> The left side is to identify your OBJECT.
<2> The middle section is to indicate the EVENT.
<3> The right section add in the ACTIONS.
Like reading from left to right….
<1> IF the ball (object) <2> collides with the wall (event) <3> THEN bounce (action).
In addition to object-oriented (visual) programming, for education, this is a perfect tool to reinforce math, science and English language arts through the utilization of conditional statement building. It makes students think about WHY something is and HOW it occurs.
The major differentiator, for me, between any game create tool, is the practical application for real-life. Basically, Game Maker’s simple and flexible interface allows for game creators to build a foundational skill set that is valuable to anyone looking to pursue a career in game design.
Use what works best for you right now, and continue to test out other products, like you did with Game Maker. It sounds as if you’re a self-motivated individual who enjoys exploring technology. Those are both valuable skill sets to have and will help you to successfully accomplish whatever you set out to do. :o)
Jocuri…
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I use game maker 8.1 pro
I like game maker more than game factory.
I can’t understand about game factory!
I can use game maker to make 3d games.
So I like game maker.:)
I love game maker
it is better than tgf
TGF : easy and powerful for all people and any work.
I made a game by that and soon uplouad for your preview.
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