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Behold the aspiring repository for all there is to know about [[Recreational Software Designs]]' '''[[Game-Maker]]''', the original game creation system for DOS-based PCs. Read of its use, its users, its surrounding culture, and -- of course -- the games themselves!  
 
Behold the aspiring repository for all there is to know about [[Recreational Software Designs]]' '''[[Game-Maker]]''', the original game creation system for DOS-based PCs. Read of its use, its users, its surrounding culture, and -- of course -- the games themselves!  
  
As of July 12 2014, '''Game-Maker is now [https://github.com/gandrewstone/GameMaker/blob/master/LICENSE open-source]!''' As a result of the new license it also is free to download and use. If you don't have a copy, go sign up at GitHub. If you have coding experience, consider contributing to the project. What do ''you'' want Game-Maker to be?
+
As of July 12 2014, '''Game-Maker is now [http://github.com/gandrewstone/GameMaker/blob/master/LICENSE open-source]!''' As a result of the new license it also is free to download and use. If you don't have a copy, go sign up at GitHub. If you have coding experience, consider contributing to the project. What do ''you'' want Game-Maker to be?
  
=== Game playing tips ===
+
=== Where To Begin ===
  
Game-Maker was created for MS-DOS, a command-line environment that is no longer supported under modern operating systems. You can still easily play DOS games, however, with the aid of '''DOSBox''', a cross-platform virtual machine available on every major operating system from Windows to Mac OS to Linux to Android, and even Sony PlayStation Portable.  
+
This site is pretty big. So, where do you look first? That's easy: start with the games. See our list of [[List of Game-Maker games|full articles]]. When you're done there, check our large backlog of [[:Category:Pending articles|work-in-progress listings]]. There even is a [[list of missing Game-Maker games]].
  
For new users especially, the easiest way to use DOSBox is with a frontend -- a graphical user interface that remembers your settings and takes care of all of the technical things for you. Point, click, and play.
+
Typically on each game page you can read an overview, plus a game's instructions, storyline, and credits (as available). You can view screenshots, study maps, and download the games themselves.
  
* For best results, turn the CPU cycles up to '''16,000'''. For superior sound emulation, we also suggest setting '''sbpro2''' and '''dualopl2''' in the Sound/SoundBlaster options.
+
When you find a game you enjoy, look into its author's broader [[List of Game-Maker authors|gameography]]; both other Game-Maker games and, in many cases, their later design career. You can also browse games by [[:Category:Genres|genre]] or [[:Category:Themes|theme]], or look through related [[List of Game-Maker tools|design tools]] or [[Music library|sound]] and [[:Category:Images|image]] resources.
* For users running Windows 2000 and higher (XP, Vista, Windows 7 and 8), we recommend Alexander Herzog's '''[http://dfendreloaded.sourceforge.net/ D-Fend Reloaded]'''. After installation just in a game's .EXE, tweak the settings, and you're ready to go.
 
<!-- * To create a comfortable confole-like play experience, Windows users may also do well with [http://www.electracode.com/4/joy2key/JoyToKey%20English%20Version.htm Joy2Key] and perhaps a [http://www.google.com/products?q=xbox+360+controller+wired&um=1&ie=UTF-8&ei=irIRTMy7C8Kclgfl593DBg&sa=X&oi=mode_link&ct=mode&ved=0CBsQ_AU wired Xbox 360 controller].
 
-->
 
* For Linux or Mac OS X users, try '''[http://members.quicknet.nl/blankendaalr/dbgl/ DBGL: DOSBox Game Launcher]'''.
 
<!--
 
* Mac users with condensed keyboards may want to look into utilities like '''[http://www.dev-labs.com/kr/keyboard.html Keyboard Remapper]''' or '''[http://pqrs.org/macosx/keyremap4macbook/ KeyRemap4MacBook]'''. -->
 
  
=== Where to begin? ===
+
=== How To Play ===
  
 
[[File:GMboxfront.png|thumb|200px|RSD Game-Maker]]
 
[[File:GMboxfront.png|thumb|200px|RSD Game-Maker]]
  
This site is pretty big. So, where do you look first? Easy answer: start with the games. See our list of [[List of Game-Maker games|full articles]]. When you're done there, check our large backlog of [[:Category:Pending articles|work-in-progress listings]]. There even is a [[list of missing Game-Maker games]].
+
<!-- For most complete entries, an online, [http://www.aderack.com/game-maker/java JAVA-emulated version] of the game is available. Downsides: there's no saving, and modern browsers are starting to phase out JAVA support. What you really want is to download you own copy. -->
 +
Game-Maker was created for MS-DOS, a command-line environment that is no longer supported under modern operating systems. The best way to play DOS games is with the aid of '''DOSBox''', a cross-platform virtual machine available on every major operating system from Windows to Mac OS to Linux to Android, and even Sony PlayStation Portable.  
 +
 
 +
DOSBox is highly configurable, which may seem daunting; all you need to know is:
  
Typically on each game page you can read an overview, plus a game's instructions, storyline, and credits (as available). You can view screenshots, study maps, and download the games themselves. In most cases an online, [http://www.aderack.com/game-maker/java JAVA-emulated version] of the game is available.  
+
* For best performance, turn the CPU cycles up to '''16,000''' (or MAX, in some cases).  
 +
* For superior music, SoundBlaster options: '''sbpro2''' / '''dualopl2''' / '''compat''' / '''44100'''.
  
When you find a game you enjoy, look into its author's broader [[List of Game-Maker authors|gameography]]; both other Game-Maker games and, in many cases, their later design career. You can also browse games by [[:Category:Genres|genre]] or [[:Category:Themes|theme]], or look through related [[List of Game-Maker tools|design tools]] or [[Music library|sound]] and [[:Category:Images|image]] resources.
+
For new users especially, the easiest way to use DOSBox is with a frontend -- a graphical user interface that remembers your settings and takes care of all of the technical things for you. Just drop in a game's .EXE, tweak the settings, and you're ready to go. Point, click, play.
  
=== Join the community! ===
+
* For Windows, we recommend Alexander Herzog's '''[http://dfendreloaded.sourceforge.net/ D-Fend Reloaded]'''.
 +
<!-- * To create a comfortable confole-like play experience, Windows users may also do well with [http://www.electracode.com/4/joy2key/JoyToKey%20English%20Version.htm Joy2Key] and perhaps a [http://www.google.com/products?q=xbox+360+controller+wired&um=1&ie=UTF-8&ei=irIRTMy7C8Kclgfl593DBg&sa=X&oi=mode_link&ct=mode&ved=0CBsQ_AU wired Xbox 360 controller].
 +
-->
 +
* For Linux or Mac OS X users, try '''[http://members.quicknet.nl/blankendaalr/dbgl/ DBGL: DOSBox Game Launcher]'''.
 +
<!--
 +
* Mac users with condensed keyboards may want to look into utilities like '''[http://www.dev-labs.com/kr/keyboard.html Keyboard Remapper]''' or '''[http://pqrs.org/macosx/keyremap4macbook/ KeyRemap4MacBook]'''. -->
  
Please feel free to contribute. Anything you can add or enhance, however incidental it may seem, will just increase the wealth of knowledge about RSD Game-Maker. In updating, do use some common sense and courtesy; this wiki is for everyone, not just you or me. Otherwise, kick around. Break the place in.
+
=== Join the Community! ===
  
Look up in the far-right corner to sign up, and contribute to the knowledge base. You can browse a [[Special:ListUsers|list]] of other contributors, including several Game-Maker users past and present, or follow current Game-Maker events on [http://twitter.com/RSDGameMaker Twitter], [http://facebook.com/RSD.Game.Maker Facebook], or [http://plus.google.com/105218244663345233260/posts Google Plus].
+
Please feel free to contribute. Anything you can add or enhance, however minor, will help to fill in a gap in the narrative about RSD Game-Maker. In updating, do use some common sense and courtesy; this wiki is for everyone, not just you or me. Otherwise, kick around. Break the place in.
  
Other destinations include [http://www.reddit.com/r/RSDGameMaker/ reddit], [http://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL8681A3C1F0851CF2 YouTube], and [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Game-Maker Wikipedia]. For a (very incomplete) list of user created games, you can also visit [http://www.mobygames.com/game-group/game-engine-rsd-game-maker MobyGames], the Internet's (otherwise) comprehensive game database. Feel free to contribute to any of these resources as well.
+
Look up in the far-right corner to sign up<!-- <span style="color:#aaaaaa;">[currently disabled]</span>-->, and contribute to the knowledge base. You can browse a [[Special:ListUsers|list]] of other contributors, including several Game-Maker users past and present, or follow current Game-Maker events on [http://twitter.com/RSDGameMaker Twitter] or [http://facebook.com/RSD.Game.Maker Facebook].
  
 +
<!-- Other destinations include [http://www.reddit.com/r/RSDGameMaker/ reddit], [http://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL8681A3C1F0851CF2 YouTube], and [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Game-Maker Wikipedia]. For a (very incomplete) list of user created games, you can also visit [http://www.mobygames.com/game-group/game-engine-rsd-game-maker MobyGames], the Internet's (otherwise) comprehensive game database. Feel free to contribute to any of these resources as well.
 +
-->
 
'''If you know of any unlisted games''' or design materials, we urge you to join or to make contact at one of the above resources, to aid in recording and preserving the materials for future interest.
 
'''If you know of any unlisted games''' or design materials, we urge you to join or to make contact at one of the above resources, to aid in recording and preserving the materials for future interest.
  
Line 49: Line 54:
 
** Fill in and improve body text for most '''categories,''' '''"information" articles''', and non-game pages.
 
** Fill in and improve body text for most '''categories,''' '''"information" articles''', and non-game pages.
 
** Upload '''[[:Category: Games needing maps|game maps]] and sprites''' where they're missing; update corrupted ones.  
 
** Upload '''[[:Category: Games needing maps|game maps]] and sprites''' where they're missing; update corrupted ones.  
** Record, edit, and post '''improved YouTube videos''' for all games plagued by incorrect CPU rate.
+
** Record, edit, and post '''[[:Category:Games needing improved videos|improved YouTube videos]]''' for all games plagued by incorrect CPU rate.
  
 
* '''''Enhancement:'''''
 
* '''''Enhancement:'''''
<!--** Research and fill in '''[[:Category: Needed_-_Availability|availability]]''' (i.e., where they could be found) for all games in the archive.-->
+
<!--** Research and fill in '''[[:Category: Needed_-_Availability|availability]]''' (i.e., where they could be found) for all games in the archive.
** Research and fill in '''[[:Category: Needed_-_Archive_History|archive history]]''' (i.e., how they were found) for all games in the archive.
+
** Research and fill in '''[[:Category: Needed_-_Archive_History|archive history]]''' (i.e., how they were found) for all games in the archive.-->
 
** Add '''"resources" section''' for all relevant games (to track the borrowing and use of gameware in other projects).
 
** Add '''"resources" section''' for all relevant games (to track the borrowing and use of gameware in other projects).
 
** Add '''"soundtrack" section''' to each game page, focusing particularly on stock track use and naming. Cross-reference everything.
 
** Add '''"soundtrack" section''' to each game page, focusing particularly on stock track use and naming. Cross-reference everything.
 +
** Add links to all relevant archive.org [https://archive.org/search.php?query=subject%3A%22Game-Maker+games%22&page=2 Software Library] entries
  
 
* '''''Expansion:'''''
 
* '''''Expansion:'''''
** Fill in all '''pending articles''' (mostly, finish the overview sections).
+
** Fill in all '''[[:Category: Pending articles|pending articles]]''' (mostly, finish the overview sections).
** Research and make entries for '''known lost games''', and authors of lost games, not represented in archive.
+
** Research and make entries for '''[[:Category: Games considered lost|known lost games]]''', and authors of lost games, not represented in archive.
 
** Write '''tutorial on running games in DOSBox'''.
 
** Write '''tutorial on running games in DOSBox'''.
 
** Create new '''"Advanced Techniques" section''', with all of the new terms ('''Monster Buffering''', etc.).
 
** Create new '''"Advanced Techniques" section''', with all of the new terms ('''Monster Buffering''', etc.).

Revision as of 16:09, 20 June 2020

Behold the aspiring repository for all there is to know about Recreational Software Designs' Game-Maker, the original game creation system for DOS-based PCs. Read of its use, its users, its surrounding culture, and -- of course -- the games themselves!

As of July 12 2014, Game-Maker is now open-source! As a result of the new license it also is free to download and use. If you don't have a copy, go sign up at GitHub. If you have coding experience, consider contributing to the project. What do you want Game-Maker to be?

Where To Begin

This site is pretty big. So, where do you look first? That's easy: start with the games. See our list of full articles. When you're done there, check our large backlog of work-in-progress listings. There even is a list of missing Game-Maker games.

Typically on each game page you can read an overview, plus a game's instructions, storyline, and credits (as available). You can view screenshots, study maps, and download the games themselves.

When you find a game you enjoy, look into its author's broader gameography; both other Game-Maker games and, in many cases, their later design career. You can also browse games by genre or theme, or look through related design tools or sound and image resources.

How To Play

RSD Game-Maker

Game-Maker was created for MS-DOS, a command-line environment that is no longer supported under modern operating systems. The best way to play DOS games is with the aid of DOSBox, a cross-platform virtual machine available on every major operating system from Windows to Mac OS to Linux to Android, and even Sony PlayStation Portable.

DOSBox is highly configurable, which may seem daunting; all you need to know is:

  • For best performance, turn the CPU cycles up to 16,000 (or MAX, in some cases).
  • For superior music, SoundBlaster options: sbpro2 / dualopl2 / compat / 44100.

For new users especially, the easiest way to use DOSBox is with a frontend -- a graphical user interface that remembers your settings and takes care of all of the technical things for you. Just drop in a game's .EXE, tweak the settings, and you're ready to go. Point, click, play.

Join the Community!

Please feel free to contribute. Anything you can add or enhance, however minor, will help to fill in a gap in the narrative about RSD Game-Maker. In updating, do use some common sense and courtesy; this wiki is for everyone, not just you or me. Otherwise, kick around. Break the place in.

Look up in the far-right corner to sign up, and contribute to the knowledge base. You can browse a list of other contributors, including several Game-Maker users past and present, or follow current Game-Maker events on Twitter or Facebook.

If you know of any unlisted games or design materials, we urge you to join or to make contact at one of the above resources, to aid in recording and preserving the materials for future interest.

Current projects

This Wiki is a constant work-in-progress, with any number of cleanup, population, or general improvement missions running concurrently. Here are some of the major focal points as of 06/20/2020:

  • Improvement:
    • Write improved and expanded overviews for the more perfunctory game articles.
    • Write improved bios for all authors.
    • Fill in and improve body text for most categories, "information" articles, and non-game pages.
    • Upload game maps and sprites where they're missing; update corrupted ones.
    • Record, edit, and post improved YouTube videos for all games plagued by incorrect CPU rate.
  • Enhancement:
    • Add "resources" section for all relevant games (to track the borrowing and use of gameware in other projects).
    • Add "soundtrack" section to each game page, focusing particularly on stock track use and naming. Cross-reference everything.
    • Add links to all relevant archive.org Software Library entries
  • Expansion:
    • Fill in all pending articles (mostly, finish the overview sections).
    • Research and make entries for known lost games, and authors of lost games, not represented in archive.
    • Write tutorial on running games in DOSBox.
    • Create new "Advanced Techniques" section, with all of the new terms (Monster Buffering, etc.).
    • Add RSD release notes, official letters, and other documentation where applicable.
    • Finish editing and incorporating text of original Game-Maker manual.
  • Technical:
    • Add further MediaWiki plugins and templates: contact form; navframes and collapsible tables; improved quoting and game box.
      • Install ParserFunctions extension, to enable conditionals...
    • Update secondary wiki themes to fix layout problems.
    • Switch out jDOSBox for EM-DOSBox (as used on archive.org), to account for the great NPAPI purge.
    • Fix database glitch with new account creation.

If you want to help with any of these improvement goals, please feel free to chip in.

Credits

The Game-Maker Archive is not for profit; just for promulgation.

Game-Maker was developed and published by Recreational Software Designs. To contact lead programmer G. Andrew Stone, visit his blog: Effluvia of a Scattered Mind.

This site is an independent project, unaffiliated with Recreational Software Designs. To contact the administrator, please email RSDGM at this domain.

Thank you for visiting, and have fun!


It's as fun to make them... as it is to play them...
Game-Maker: the state-of-the-art in game design tools.