Have you ever wanted to create a video game? Creating video games is fun and very rewarding. Learning how to create video games is also very easy with some of the game development software available today. I teach an ROP Video Game Design class and my students are learning that the video games are and should be very entertaining and fun. With video games we move from watching (movies) to engaging and interacting with the game characters. Left 4 Dead, Halo, Counter Strike, Plants vs. Zombies, War Craft, Super Mario, Grand Theft Auto, Gears of War, and many others are the latest forms of intense entertainment. The video game industry is out producing and out selling all other forms of entertainment combined, with over 21 billion dollars in sales with no signs of slowing down. Video gaming has been pushing computer technology to new levels and continues to be the major driving force for better and faster computers. The technology continues to improve and the pricing continues to drop. A thousand dollars today can buy you a computer that runs over 100 times better and faster than one 20 years ago at 10 times the cost. AI (artificial intelligence) has improved so that game opponents can be extremely challenging with no limits for exciting game play. Learning how to create video games can is fun and challenging.

Plants vs Zombies

Plants vs Zombies is a newly released game that is very addictive to play. It is similar to other tower defense games where players have to place different types of plants that have offensive or defensive abilities to keep back the approaching zombies. Plants vs Zombies is a great example of successful games can still be created outside of the more advanced 3D gaming platforms being so popular today. My students have been inspired to create their own similar games that could become the next Plants vs Zombie block buster.

Game Maker

Game Maker is a game development application created by Mark Overmars. The application uses a drag-and-drop system that allows users to easily create games having no programming experience. Game Maker also has its own accessible Game Maker Language with over 1000 functions that can be accessed using code that can be inserted in the game along with the over 100 drag-and-drop functions. This makes Game Maker a very powerful game development platform that is able to create games in any game genre including 3D functions. Since Game Maker uses Delphi a high level interpreted language the program does have its limits, but with the newer faster computers available today it still makes some very exciting interactive games. YoYo Games was created to host and further develop Game Maker which now has a considerable following around the world. Learning how to make video games can be easy now with tools like Game Maker.

Game Maker Lite and Pro Editions

Game Maker has a free lite version that is suitable for creating most games. There is also a pro version, which has some extended capabilities for creating network LAN games with some 3D functions. The pro version also removes the Game Maker Banners and the purchase price is only 25 dollars. This makes Game Maker an excellent application for learning how to create videogames.

First and Third Person Shooter Games

The first person shooter games, like halo, have become very popular because the player has the view point of the game character instead of a third person view that sees the game more like a movie. First person is more intense because you cannot see approaching characters or coming hazards like you can in third person view. War Craft is an example of a third person game that allows the player to have a view of the game character and the characters surroundings. Third person does have some strategy advantages since you have a better overall view and understanding of approaching hazards and enemies.

Creating games is a fun hobby that can turn profitable. Many game companies will purchase game design documents from creative individuals. But leaning how to create video games on your own is still the best.