GameMaker for Beginners
GameMaker is a friendly engine for making 2D games, and it is used by real indie studios. These free step-by-step workshops start with a game you can finish in one sitting, then build up to bigger projects. You install the free GameMaker once, then follow along. No account is needed to start.
Stardust says: start with one small game you can play today. Make My First GameMaker Game, press play, and you have made something real.
Free GameMaker workshops
My First GameMaker Game Start here
The gentlest start: install GameMaker once, then make your first game.
Open workshop →
Pong
The classic two-player game, rebuilt from scratch in GML.
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Breakout
Bounce a ball, smash bricks and learn about collision.
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Platformer
Jumping, gravity and levels in GameMaker.
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RPG
A top-down world with movement and interaction.
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GML Cheatsheet
Every GameMaker command you need, on one page.
Open workshop →What children learn
- Setting up the free GameMaker once, then reusing it
- GML basics: variables, events and code that runs every frame
- Sprites, collisions and scoring
- Rooms, objects and building a complete level
- Menus, sound and finishing a game you can share