I've worked with so many game developing programs which work and don't work. Some have limitations, some worked all until once, some can't export to some platforms, some cost too much, …
So far, I've been using these:
Game Maker: outdated and detected by Norton
Game Maker Studio: too expensive for cross-platform! I bought the standard version, but then realized I need Professional and then Export Modules on top of that
Multimedia Fusion series: same
ENIGMA/LateralGM: awesome and promising, but some functions don't work, no enough tutorials, missing documentation on some functions, instance control functions not fully implemented, admin privileges required to compile
GameDevelop: can't export to Android and as much as I remember, it requires admin too as well.
XNA: requires Visual Studio which can't be portable, no Android or Linux.
Allegro: no Android, just coding
SFML: no Android, just coding, didn't get it to work on Visual Studio (and yes, I followed everything about the getting started tutorial thing)
Unreal Engine: I'm not good at modelling.
Unity: too difficult. Android apps allocate 100MB.
I mostly like Game Maker Studio because it's graphical, has Intellisense in coding, full offline documentation, always some updates. The only problem about it is that it costs $500!
So what I need to know is if there is a program with these specifications:
If it's about coding, it must be C++. If it's scripting, it must be C++ish. Example is Game Maker Studio.
Must have instance control, instance pointers, instance choice iteration, object inheritance …
Collision detection from up, down, left, right, must be specific!
This situation is hardly solvable in MMF2 series. Game Maker Studio can do it.Must have a detailed user-friendly documentation.
Must have a good community so I can ask a question or search for solutions.
Game Maker Studio's community is a great example.Must be portable! No admin rights should be required!
This means that I can put it on my USB stick and plug it into any school or library computer without administrator rights required for the compiler to work.If shareware, it must not be over $80 and must have trial version with full export features so I can see if it works for me.
Must not be detected as virus or trojan by Norton.
Because some of my friends have Norton, they couldn't run my Game Maker games. This can be a big problem if I would sell my games.Must be graphical and toolchained.
I don't want to make games by only typing code and nothing else. I need an IDE with a level/room editor. A click on the compile button should compile the game.Must be runnable on Windows 7 Home Premium, and ideally also on Slacko Puppy Linux and Raspberry Pi (if possible).
Must export for these platforms:
- Windows 7
- Puppy Linux
- Ubuntu
- Android 4.x
- Raspberry Pi (if possible)
- Mac and iOS (if possible)
Game's EXE must be able to load and save INI and binary files. Simple file I/O, file and folder management.
SDL is a perfect example on Android and Windows.Game's EXE must be able to load sprites (images) from external files while not losing the initial sprites or the previously loaded ones.
This is a problem in MMF2 and therefore it's impossible to make online avatar-customizing game.Game's EXE must be able to load WAV sounds.
Game's EXE must be able to recolor sprites.
Must compile one EXE with all its elements.
Can have DLLs in the same folder, but mustn't require anything from the system.
Every portable game is an example.Game's EXE must be able to remap keys/buttons and/or recognize the inputs.
All games have the feature where you can change your controls.Executable should be able to host/join a game for online play on a specific IP address and port (like Minecraft does in server.properties).
I might be nitpicking, but take a look at games like Super Mario Bros X or Super Mario War.
They're both portable, they both load everything externally while their code is compiled inside the EXE. Both games can remap keys and use joypads.
Is there a program that fits my needs?