Creating a Platformer Game in GameMaker Studio 2

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This tutorial will guide you through creating a basic platformer game using GameMaker Studio 2. This series of articles assumes no prior knowledge of programming or game development.

Setting up your IDE and Project Structure

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1. Download the latest version of GameMaker Studio 2 from the official website: 'GameMaker Studio 2 download'(https://www.gamemaker.com/download/beta/)

Once installed, launch GameMaker Studio 2:

* On Windows, double-click on 'game maker studio.exe' in your 'Program Files (x86)/Game Maker Studio 2' or 'ProgramData/Game Maker Studio 2' directory depending on whether you have a x64 or x86 version of windows.

After launching the IDE, follow these steps to create a new project:

1. Go to File > New Project...

!''(https://raw.githubusercontent.com/ShaunSpalded/complete-platformer/master/images/new_project.png)

2. Select 2D in the 'Template' dropdown.

3. Name your game and select a location for it.

Creating Sprites

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Sprites are images that can be used multiple times within GameMaker Studio 2. They're crucial components of any platformer game as they'll make up everything from platforms to enemies.

1. In the left-hand sidebar, double-click on 'Objects'.

!''(https://raw.githubusercontent.com/ ShaunSpalded/complete-platformx64-master/images/objects.png)

2. Double-click again in the new object window and name it `platform`.

3. With your newly created sprite selected, click on the small paintbrush icon at the top-left of GameMaker Studio 2's workspace.

Draw a platform onto this new layer:

* Use the 'Line' tool to draw two parallel lines that make up our platforms.

* You can change their color by double-clicking anywhere within them and selecting from the colour palette.

Creating Sprites Continued

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Now let's create another sprite for our player character.

1. Follow steps 2-3 above, but name this new object `player`.

Draw a simple circle onto this layer:

* Select the 'Circle' tool.

* Click-drag to draw out your player character.

Creating an Instance of a Sprite

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Instances are copies or instances of sprites that can be used multiple times within GameMaker Studio 2. They're essential for creating platforms and enemies in any platformer game.

1. Double-click on the 'Objects' folder again.

!''(https://raw.githubusercontent.com/ShaunSpalded/complete-platformx64-master/images/double_click_objects.png)

2. Name this new object `platform_instance`.

With your new instance selected, double click it and then go to the properties window.

In the Properties Window

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Within GameMaker Studio 2's IDE there is a small icon with three dots next to each of its objects in the left-hand sidebar:

* Clicking on any one will bring up that object's 'Properties' window.

* Within this window, you can change properties like whether or not an instance can be visible.

To make our platforms invisible when we want them to disappear off-screen (e.g., during a level transition), follow these steps:

1. With your `platform_instance` selected in the left-hand sidebar, double-click on it.

2. In the 'Properties' window that appears, under the 'General' tab:

* Untick 'Visible'.

3. Repeat this process for each instance of `platform`.

Adding a Step Event

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A step event is called once per frame and can be used to update variables or check whether certain conditions are met.

1. With your new object selected in the left-hand sidebar, double-click on it.

2. In the 'Event Sheet' that appears:

!''(https://raw.githubusercontent.com/ShaunSpalded/running-the-game-master/images/event_sheet.png)

3. Click on '+' and select 'Step'.

4. Double click inside of this new step event.

Here's where things get interesting! Here you can write code in GameMaker Studio 2's custom scripting language called GML (Game Maker Language).

In the above image, we've added a simple `if` statement that will change the x position of our player character by -10 pixels every frame if they're pressing the left arrow key.

Run Your First Platformer

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With all this set up and ready to go, let's run your very first platformer game!

1. Click on 'File' > 'Make...'.

!''(https://raw.githubusercontent.com/ShaunSpalded/running-the-game-master/images/make.png)

2. In the new window that appears:

* Select 'Windows Desktop'.

3. Name your game (e.g., `PlatformerTutorial`).

4. Click on 'OK'.

Your first platformer should now be running!

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And there you have it! You've just created a basic 2D platformer using GameMaker Studio 2.

Of course, this is only the tip of the iceberg when it comes to game development with GMS2 - but I hope these tutorials will give you a solid foundation upon which to build your next big hit!

Next up in our series:

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* 'Advanced Platforming Techniques'(https://www.gamedevelopment.net/graphics-and-sound/beginning-advanced-platformers)

I'll see you all back here soon!

Game maker studio 2 platformer tutorial