Game maker studio how to make a platformer

If you’re looking to create your own platformer game using Game Maker Studio (GMS), then you’re in luck. In this article, we will provide a comprehensive guide on how to make a platformer in GMS, including tips and tricks for optimizing your game development process.

Setting Up Your Game Structure

Before you start building your platformer, it’s important to have a solid game structure in place. This will help ensure that your game is easy to navigate and understand. To set up your game structure, follow these steps:

1. Create a new project in GMS.
2. Set up the basic game layout by adding a background image, a sprite for the player character, and a sprite for any enemies or obstacles that will be present in your game.
3. Add some basic code to control the movement of your player character. This can include simple functions like moving left, moving right, and jumping.
4. Create a new layer for your game’s levels. This will allow you to easily organize and design each level as needed.
5. Begin designing your first level by placing obstacles and enemies on the ground, and adding platforms or other navigational elements.

Designing Engaging Levels

Now that you have a basic game structure in place, it’s time to start designing engaging levels for your platformer. Here are some tips for creating great levels:

6. Keep the design of each level simple and easy to understand. This will help players get quickly acclimated to the new environment.
7. Use a variety of different obstacles and enemies in each level to keep things interesting. This can include spikes, pits, enemies, and other hazards.
8. Incorporate power-ups or other bonuses into your levels to help players overcome challenges.
9. Use platforming mechanics like wall jumps and running on walls to add depth and complexity to your game.
10. Experiment with different layouts for each level to keep things fresh and exciting.

Optimizing Your Game Development Process

As you work on your platformer, it’s important to optimize your game development process as much as possible. Here are some tips for speeding up the development of your game:

11. Use pre-made assets and sprites wherever possible to save time and effort.
12. Break down each level into smaller, more manageable sections to make it easier to design and test.
13. Make use of GMS’s built-in debugging tools to catch any errors or bugs as they arise.



14. Experiment with different game modes and playstyles to keep your game fresh and engaging.
15. Get feedback from other developers and gamers to help you identify areas for improvement and new ideas.

Case Study: Super Mario Bros.

One of the most iconic platformers of all time is Super Mario Bros., which was developed by Nintendo in the 1980s. To see how some of these principles can be applied to modern game development, let’s take a look at some key features of Super Mario Bros.:

16. Simple, easy-to-understand controls. Players can easily move Mario left or right using the arrow keys or d-pad, and jump by pressing the A button.
17. Engaging levels with a variety of obstacles and enemies to overcome. From spikes and pits to Goombas and Koopas, each level presents new challenges for players to face.
18. Power-ups like mushrooms and fire flowers that help Mario defeat enemies and overcome obstacles.
19. Incorporation of platforming mechanics like running on walls and jumping between platforms.
20. Use of a simple yet effective color scheme and graphics style that has been replicated in countless other games.