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My First Game

TrianTrian
edited in Projects
Been working on this game for a while in between school or when I feel like it. It's a fast paced space shooter (kind of like Space Impact for the old Nokias) and I just want to know your thoughts opinions and criticisms especially when it comes to the art style and design of the game.

Bugs to debug:
*None (yay!)

Things that need adding:
*Enemies have special attacks
*Add death animations
*Add more sound
*Better looking GUI
*More levels
*Proper weapon changing system for later levels

Controls:
*Diagonal and/or "wasd" buttons are used to move
*Space to shoot

Download Link:
https://www.mediafire.com/?ke08i362n9zj9fw
Thanked by 1Mitch93

Comments

  • pieterpieter
    Hi @Trian, welcome to the forum, and well done on making your first game!

    I'm going to assume that you have only recently started learning GameMaker, as the game has very basic mechanics. With that in mind, may I suggest the following additions, as implementing them will help you explore some of GameMaker's other functions.

    * When your bullets kill an enemy, add a value of 100 to the player's score and display the total score on screen.
    * When an enemy dies, spawn a little explosion or spark at its location (people love it when things explode).
    * Have the blitz gun be a powerup that the player collects, and it's only active for 10 seconds before it goes back to the default gun again.
    * When and enemy hits the player, have the player die and show a "Game Over" screen.
    * When the player reaches the end of the stage, show a "Stage Cleared" message on the screen so the player knows that they've won :)
    * If want to be really fancy, have a title screen for your game. It's really nice as a player to land on a title screen before the action starts.

    And if you need some help with your coding, ask away and we'll help wherever we can :D

    Good luck!
    Thanked by 2Elyaradine dammit
  • TrianTrian
    pieter said:
    Hi @Trian, welcome to the forum, and well done on making your first game!

    I'm going to assume that you have only recently started learning GameMaker, as the game has very basic mechanics. With that in mind, may I suggest the following additions, as implementing them will help you explore some of GameMaker's other functions.

    * When your bullets kill an enemy, add a value of 100 to the player's score and display the total score on screen.
    * When an enemy dies, spawn a little explosion or spark at its location (people love it when things explode).
    * Have the blitz gun be a powerup that the player collects, and it's only active for 10 seconds before it goes back to the default gun again.
    * When and enemy hits the player, have the player die and show a "Game Over" screen.
    * When the player reaches the end of the stage, show a "Stage Cleared" message on the screen so the player knows that they've won :)
    * If want to be really fancy, have a title screen for your game. It's really nice as a player to land on a title screen before the action starts.

    And if you need some help with your coding, ask away and we'll help wherever we can :D

    Good luck!
    I have some background with using GameMaker (from a sibling) just never used the coding function before and I'm trying to use it as much as possible for this project. I should be able to do most of this, this afternoon but I might just study instead :,(

  • TrianTrian
    edited
    Hey @pieter, forgot to upload my work before going on holiday. I had just arrived yesterday and decided to upload before school starts again.

    https://www.mediafire.com/?fo1jp0qbpdtx9i6

    Controls are practically the same.

    *EDIT: Almost forgot the "Continue" and "Hints" options don't do anything at this stage.
    Thanked by 1pieter
  • FengolFengol
    edited
    Welcome to the forums! I gave your game a couple of plays and it's fairly solid, well done.

    I would recommend having more asteroids to avoid. In my first playthrough none appeared so I was surprised when one appeared in my next playthrough.

    You might get also get more feedback if you encourage people to look at your game by uploading screenshots and/or videos (see below). I can recommend LICEcap as a great and easy tool to use for capturing .GIFs

    image
    Thanked by 2Psyinx pieter
  • TrianTrian
    This is probably my biggest update I've done, mainly because I haven't been working as hard on this for the past few months as I should have. Anyway here it is.

    Updates:

    *Added options window
    *Added Difficulty setting
    *Added sound
    *Updated Graphics
    *Made my code neater and took out all unnecessary bits

    Download Link:
    https://www.mediafire.com/?n75a8vuvcdpp032
    Space Shooter gif1 v1.0.5.gif
    1012 x 478 - 591K
  • pieterpieter
    @Trian Hey, things are coming along :)

    From here I think you can work on some gamefeel. JW from Vlambeer did a great talk on this called The Art of Screenshake. Some of the things he talks about are not directly relevant to your game, but the ones that stood out for me where:
    - Bigger bullets
    - Faster Player bullets
    - Screenshake (when enemies die for example)
    - Muzzle flash
    - Bigger explosions
    - Very basic sound

    A few of my own suggestions would be:
    - Slower, but more enemy bullets
    - A brief moment of invincibility when the player is hit (like halve a second), just so that a cluster of 4 enemy bullets can't kill you instantly.

    Also if you'd like some placeholder art, I posted a free shooter asset pack here on the forums. You can download it below:
    MGSA Shoot em Up Starter Pack
    Copy, paste and rotate to fit your game if you like :)
  • TrianTrian
    edited
    @pieter

    Thanks! I'll have a look at the video.

    I kept the bullets that size so that someone that's colour blind does not mistake the stars for bullets (Like my friend once did).
    I sped up the player bullets and I'll have a look at the rest of it some time in the future (have an IT project due on Monday).

    I'll also be sure to use some of your resources!
  • IceCliffIceCliff
    Nice work Trian!

    When I think back to when I first started making games I definitely didn't do anything of this calibre.
  • TrianTrian
    @pieter

    I looked at the video and I must say I'm pretty stunned at how many subtle things make a big difference.

    You might notice that I haven't added more sound and explosions. That's because I'm still compiling sound effects and I'm saving the explosions for later levels when you shoot at more 'mechanical' things.

    Other than that, I added some other neat things.

    Updates:
    *Better game feel
    *Health Bar
    *Clickable menus! :3
    *Enemies attack

    Download Link:
    https://www.mediafire.com/?7n2c2v87fozcaci
  • pieterpieter
    @Trian, good stuff. Glad to see that you're making progress. Like the new menu :)

    I just have a suggestion about the background. The closest layer of asteroids (the yellow rocks) are more or less the same size and move in the same direction as the enemy bullets. This got me hit quite a few times without me even realising it. Consider dropping that parallax layer, or making the enemy's bullets much bigger so they stand out from the scrolling background. At the moment it's hard to distinguish.
  • TrianTrian
    edited
    Hi @pieter, I've been having a lot of trouble with Game Maker Studio recently.
    All project files I work on do not compile. I've noticed on rare occasion it does compile after a while but does nothing other than that.
    This is what I get

    Compile started: 10:05:13 PM
"C:\Users\Tiaan\AppData\Roaming\GameMaker-Studio\GMAssetCompiler.exe" /c /m=win  /config="Default" /tgt=64 /obob=True /obpp=False /obru=True /obes=False /i=4 /j=1 /cvm /tp=2048 /mv=1 /iv=0 /rv=0 /bv=1763 /gn="Space (beta)" /td="C:\Users\Tiaan\AppData\Local" /cd="C:\Users\Tiaan\Documents\GameMaker\Cache" /sh=True /dbgp="6502" /hip="127.0.0.1" /hprt="51268" /o="C:\Users\Tiaan\AppData\Local\gm_ttt_69962\gm_ttt_86295" "G:\Space (beta).gmx\Space (beta).project.gmx" 

Reading project file....finished.
Compile Constants...finished.
Remove DnD...finished.
Compile Scripts...finished.
Compile Objects...finished.
Compile Timelines...finished.
Compile Triggers...finished.
Compile Rooms...finished.
Compile Extensions...finished.
Global scripts...finished.
Final Compile...finished.
Saving IFF file... C:\Users\Tiaan\AppData\Local\gm_ttt_69962\gm_ttt_86295\Space (beta).win
Writing Chunk... GEN8
Writing Chunk... OPTN
Writing Chunk... LANG
Writing Chunk... EXTN
Writing Chunk... SOND
*writing audio file C:\Users\Tiaan\AppData\Local\gm_ttt_69962\gm_ttt_86295\snd_shoot.ogg...
*writing audio file C:\Users\Tiaan\AppData\Local\gm_ttt_69962\gm_ttt_86295\snd_menu.ogg...
*writing audio file C:\Users\Tiaan\AppData\Local\gm_ttt_69962\gm_ttt_86295\snd_space1.ogg...
Writing Chunk... AGRP
Writing Chunk... SPRT
Writing Chunk... BGND
Writing Chunk... PATH
Writing Chunk... SCPT
Writing Chunk... GLOB
Writing Chunk... SHDR
Writing Chunk... FONT
Writing Chunk... TMLN
Writing Chunk... OBJT
Writing Chunk... ROOM
Writing Chunk... DAFL
Writing Chunk... TPAGE
Writing Chunk... CODE
Writing Chunk... VARI
Writing Chunk... FUNC
Writing Chunk... STRG
Writing Chunk... TXTR
0 Compressing texture... writing texture texture_0.png... 
1 Compressing texture... writing texture texture_1.png... 
Writing Chunk... AUDO
Writing Chunk... SCPT
Writing Chunk... DBGI
Writing Chunk... INST
Writing Chunk... LOCL
Writing Chunk... STRG
Stats : GMA : Elapsed=2036.1164
Stats : GMA : sp=27,au=7,bk=7,pt=1,sc=3,sh=0,fo=3,tl=0,ob=32,ro=5,da=0,ex=0,ma=14,fm=0x48E80060
Asset Compile finished: 10:05:17 PM
-----------------------------------------------------------
executing C:\Users\Tiaan\AppData\Local\gm_ttt_69962\gm_ttt_86295\Space (beta).win
-----------------------------------------------------------
"C:\Users\Tiaan\AppData\Roaming\GameMaker-Studio\Runner.exe"  -game "C:\Users\Tiaan\AppData\Local\gm_ttt_69962\gm_ttt_86295\Space (beta).win"


***************************************
*     YoYo Games Runner v1.0(999)[r32908]    *
***************************************	 
RunnerLoadGame: C:\Users\Tiaan\AppData\Local\gm_ttt_69962\gm_ttt_86295\Space (beta).win
#########################################################################
####!!!!$$$$$$ pwd - C:\Users\Tiaan\AppData\Local\gm_ttt_69962\gm_ttt_86295\
#########################################################################
RunnerLoadGame() - C:\Users\Tiaan\AppData\Local\gm_ttt_69962\gm_ttt_86295\Space (beta).win
Checking if INIFile C:\Users\Tiaan\AppData\Local\gm_ttt_69962\gm_ttt_86295/options.ini Exists
C:\Users\Tiaan\AppData\Local\gm_ttt_69962\gm_ttt_86295/options.ini file contents: [Windows] CreateTexturesOnDemand=0 AlternateSyncMethod=0 VertexBufferMethod=2 SleepMargin=1 
Process Chunk: SCPT   804
Process Chunk: DBGI   12316
Process Chunk: INST   4
Process Chunk: LOCL   2076
Process Chunk: STRG   38225
Reading File C:\Users\Tiaan\AppData\Local\gm_ttt_69962\gm_ttt_86295\Space (beta).win
Loaded File C:\Users\Tiaan\AppData\Local\gm_ttt_69962\gm_ttt_86295\Space (beta).win(734042)
IFF wad found
Get Resolution
Get Header Information
InitGMLFunctions
HighScore..SavePrePend = C:\Users\Tiaan\AppData\Local\Space__beta_\
Game..Math..Graphic..Action..File..Resource..Interaction..3D..Particle..Misc..DS..Sound..Physics..Gamepad..Buffers..Networking..Shaders..InitPushFunctions...YoYo..Fini
Code_Load()
VARI_Load()
got 10 global variables
got 40 instance variables
got 3 local variables
ID_STRG
Create Window
AdjustWindowRectEx
RegisterClassEx
CreateWindowEx
GAMEPAD: 40 axis values (last) at 0x1a0ff38
GAMEPAD: 40 axis values (last) at 0x1975768
GAMEPAD: 40 axis values (last) at 0x19758d8
GAMEPAD: 40 axis values (last) at 0x19c81a0
GAMEPAD: 40 axis values (last) at 0x19c8978
GAMEPAD: 40 axis values (last) at 0x19c9150
GAMEPAD: 40 axis values (last) at 0x19c9928
GAMEPAD: 40 axis values (last) at 0x19ca100
GAMEPAD: 4 axis values (last) at 0x196fb80
GAMEPAD: 4 axis values (last) at 0x196fb60
GAMEPAD: 4 axis values (last) at 0x196fb40
GAMEPAD: 4 axis values (last) at 0x196fb20
Init Graphics
GR_D3D_Init()
Enable DwmEnableMMCSS
Create D3D9Ex interface
Enumerate Adapters
Switching to manual clears
Selected Resolution: 1080x620
Prepare to create device
Creating D3D device - ARGB=32bit, D24S8, SwapEffect=Copy, Hardware vertex processing
Creating screen render target
Get Device Caps
Graphics initialisation end...
Background_InitTextures()
Sprite_InitTextures()
Font_InitTextures()
IO Init
Process Messages
Splash!
Start Frame
Part Create Textures
Debug Init Remote Interface
VM Init
Create Score Form
Create Load Form
Create Error Form
Do The Work
LoadGameData()
initialise everything!
Process Chunk: GEN8   152
Process Chunk: OPTN   64
Process Chunk: LANG   12
Process Chunk: EXTN   4
Process Chunk: SOND   284
Audio_Load()
Process Chunk: AGRP   4
AudioGroup_Load()
Process Chunk: SPRT   116684
Process Chunk: BGND   172
Process Chunk: PATH   184
Process Chunk: SCPT   40
Process Chunk: GLOB   4
Process Chunk: SHDR   4
Process Chunk: FONT   6420
Process Chunk: TMLN   4
Process Chunk: OBJT   12516
Process Chunk: ROOM   5264
Process Chunk: DAFL   0
Process Chunk: TPAG   3516
Process Chunk: CODE   20596
Process Chunk: VARI   3532
Process Chunk: FUNC   2304
Process Chunk: STRG   8792
Process Chunk: TXTR   345940
Process Chunk: AUDO   207350
Audio_WAVs()
PrepareGame()
Extension_Prepare() 
Code_Constant_Prepare() 
Script_Prepare() 
TimeLine_Prepare() 
Object_Prepare() 
Preparing 32 objects:
	Objects 0: obj_menu
	Objects 1: obj_options
	Objects 2: obj_difficult
	Objects 3: obj_click
	Objects 4: obj_jetman
	Objects 5: obj_enemybullet
	Objects 6: obj_enemybullet_spiral
	Objects 7: obj_meteor
	Objects 8: obj_boss
	Objects 9: obj_rock
	Objects 10: obj_score
	Objects 11: obj_spawner
	Objects 12: obj__
	Objects 13: obj_gameover
	Objects 14: obj_health
	Objects 15: obj_lives
	Objects 16: obj_win
	Objects 17: obj_shakeplayer
	Objects 18: obj_shakeenemy
	Objects 19: obj_rocket
	Objects 20: obj_bullet
	Objects 21: obj_blitz_pup
	Objects 22: obj_muzzleflash
	Objects 23: obj_blood
	Objects 24: obj_explosion
	Objects 25: obj_blitz_stream
	Objects 26: obj_roc
	Objects 27: obj_star_stream
	Objects 28: obj_SFX
	Objects 29: obj_music
	Objects 30: obj_move
	Objects 31: obj_dashboard
Room_Prepare() 
Sound_Prepare()


    At first I thought that it was my antivirus (Avira), so I uninstalled it but to no avail
    I tried clearing cache
    I've checked my code
    I've tried reinstalling Game Maker Studio multiple times
    I've tried starting a new project with just a room

    I'm running v1.4.1763
    I really want to start working again so I would like to hear from you soon.

    *EDIT*

    I tried starting up previous versions, they either didn't start or started up but went unresponsive.
    Then tried starting up Undertale and the same thing happened...
    Seems like it's only Game Maker applications
  • pieterpieter
    Firstly, well done on providing such detailed debug information. It's a delight to help someone who has done the leg work and has put in the effort to try and resolve the problem themselves :)

    You've eliminated most all of the common issues, so let's follow the clues we have.

    1.) If you have another PC at home, or a friend has one to help you test, install GameMaker on that PC, load up your game and compile it to see if the same issue persists. Then we will know if the issue is isolated to your PC, or something else in general. (Go to "Export Project" in the File Menu to make your game nice and portable. Then just choose "Import Project" on a different machine.)

    2.) From the compile information, it looks like it may be a sound issue, so we can start by making sure the drivers for your audio device is up to date. A Google search for the model of your motherboard or sound card should get you the newest drivers.

    Question: Which version of Windows do you have running? I'm assuming it's 7 or up (GameMaker is not supported for Win Xp or lower).

    3.) Since it's affecting all GameMaker applications it might be that there's something missing or corrupt in Windows itself that GameMaker applications are expecting to find. So going through the process of reinstalling Windows might help resolve any of those issues if they exists. Just remember to backup everything :)

    Question: How old is the machine you're working on.

    4.) As machines approach the 6-8 year line things can become weird, with random components failing, but as a whole it still manages to stand. For instance, I had a faulty PC that would inject random magenta pixels into Photoshop while I drew.
  • TrianTrian
    edited
    Thank you for the response @pieter.

    1.) I've gone ahead and checked a new exported version of my game today. It works perfectly on other PCs so the problem is isolated to my laptop

    2.) Have to check that out

    3.) It suddenly stopped working the day after, so I'm not sure if anything is missing but if all else fails I'll give it a try.

    4.) The laptop that I'm using is about 8 years of age, so that's probably the main issue. I'm only in gr11 so that's all I have for now. Spent the past 2 years buying parts for a new PC and should have it up and running by the holidays.

    *EDIT*

    One more thing, I got Undertale running but the sound seems to lag so that should definitely be the problem.
    Thanked by 1pieter
  • TrianTrian
    @pieter

    Just installed the new sound driver and it's working like new.

    Thanks for the help!
    Thanked by 1pieter
  • TrianTrian
    edited
    So after having left this project for a couple months due to personal reasons. I finally picked it up and made a bit of progress.
    There are some aesthetics missing like explosions, proper graphics and whatnot, but I'll get to that at some stage. All the sound added was done by me.

    Changes:
    *Added a second level (with a poor transition)
    *Added an enemy
    *Replaced/Added some sounds
    *Redid menu
    *Adjusted resolution

    Download Link:
    https://www.mediafire.com/?ke08i362n9zj9fw

    *EDIT*

    Forgot to mention, I'm trying to make a particle effect in the menu that makes it look like you're drifting in space but every time I make the particle it stays even when I start the game. I would like to know how to get rid of it
  • JayJay
    Hey trian just played the game I must say you did a good job for your first game.
    The boss is just a white box on the screen written "jpeg boss" I'm not sure, is that what it is suppose to look like?
  • FaraiV1FaraiV1
    Ola, @Trian. Have to say, it's a pretty awesome start. Never used Game Maker Studio (Unity is my baby), but this game makes me want to check it out. All the best! Hopefully, though, YoYo Games made something easy to understand.
  • TrianTrian
    Jay said:
    Hey trian just played the game I must say you did a good job for your first game.
    The boss is just a white box on the screen written "jpeg boss" I'm not sure, is that what it is suppose to look like?
    All the assets I've used in this game were made by me and I couldn't come up with a design for the boss so I made a placeholder.
    FaraiV1 said:
    Ola, @Trian. Have to say, it's a pretty awesome start. Never used Game Maker Studio (Unity is my baby), but this game makes me want to check it out. All the best! Hopefully, though, YoYo Games made something easy to understand.
    Glad you guys like it!
  • CrissOleCrissOle
    Hi Trian,

    Well done on your first game! I really enjoyed the sound and music and how you're getting into attention to detail.

    Good job on also doing all the sprites yourself!

    What if each level you added more detail to the enemy and player sprites? Like started to shade them more and stuff like that. Could create a great sense of progress and incentive to get further. If you're looking for tutorials on making great pixel art then this channel has really helped me:
    https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCGOJ92rTGadpUha61KrqrLQ

    Enjoy :)
  • TrianTrian
    edited
    @CrissOle

    Wow, thanks

    I'm always happy to see someone enjoy my work! I had a looked at some of the content and it looks really good. I'm working on a new project and will definitely implement something similar into it.

    Thanks again :D
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