The Game Creators facts for kids
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Formerly
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Dark Basic Software Limited (1999–2003) |
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| Industry | Software industry |
| Founded | 24 March 1999 in Ince-in-Makerfield, England |
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| Headquarters | , |
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The Game Creators Ltd, often called TGC, is a British company that makes software for creating video games. They are based in Macclesfield, England. TGC started in March 1999. It was founded by two programmers, Lee Bamber and Richard Vanner. Later, Meash Meakin joined in 2011 and Deborah Ascott-Jones in 2013. Their main goal is to help people make their own games, especially for computers running Microsoft Windows.
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Awesome Game Creation Tools
The Game Creators have made many different tools over the years. These tools help people of all skill levels create their own video games. Some tools are for beginners, while others are for more experienced programmers.
DarkBASIC: Learn to Code Games
DarkBASIC was released in 2000. It is a special programming language designed for making games. It comes with an IDE, which is like a workspace for coding. DarkBASIC helps new game developers create playable games easily. It uses Microsoft's DirectX technology.
This language lets you make both 2D and 3D games. It has special tools that reduce the amount of code you need to write. This makes game creation much simpler than using languages like C++. The software includes a debugger to find errors and an interpreter to run your code.
In 2002, an improved version called DarkBASIC Professional came out. This version could use newer DirectX features. The original DarkBASIC is now often called DarkBASIC Classic.
The last update for DarkBASIC was in 2008. Even though it is no longer updated, it is still available for purchase.
In 2015, Lee Bamber, a main developer at TGC, made DarkBASIC Professional open source. This means its source code is now free for anyone to use and change. This helps keep the software alive and supported by the community. The latest free version was released in December 2016. It included many features that used to cost money.
The 3D Gamemaker: Create Games Without Code
The 3D Gamemaker is a computer program from The Game Creators. It lets users make different kinds of 3D games for Microsoft Windows. This tool is great because you don't need to know how to program or be an artist.
The software has a simple point-and-click interface. It guides you through the game creation process. You can pick a scene from different types like "shooter" or "space." Then you choose characters, weapons, and enemies. The program comes with hundreds of ready-made scenes and 3D objects.
You can even have the software create a game for you by choosing random elements. The games you make can be saved as standalone programs. The 3D Gamemaker also has a built-in editor. This editor lets you decide where enemies and items go in your game. You can also add your own pictures and sounds.
FPS Creator Classic: Build Your Own Shooter Games
FPS Creator, also known as FPSC, was created in 2005. It has a 3D editor where you can drag and drop items. You can place walls, doors, enemies, and weapons easily. It also uses custom scripts to control how things work in the game. This includes how enemies behave or how doors open.
FPS Creator was very popular with users. Many people enjoyed making their own games with it. It had a big impact on independent game development in the 2000s.
In February 2016, The Game Creators made FPS Creator open source. It is now called "FPS Creator Classic" and is free for everyone. Many 3D model packs for it are also available for free.
AppGameKit Classic: Code Games for Many Devices
AppGameKit is a powerful coding tool that is easy for beginners. It uses a language called AGK Script, which is based on the DarkBASIC language. In July 2016, an AppGameKit Education Pack was released.
AppGameKit was listed as one of the top game engines in 2014. It helps create apps for many different devices. For example, the "Driving Theory Test Kit 4in1" app was built with AppGameKit. Apple named it their top paid app for three years in a row (2018, 2019, and 2020). The scripting language of AppGameKit is still one of the easiest to learn.
AppGameKit Studio: All-in-One Game Development
AppGameKit Studio was launched in July 2019. It is a complete game development tool. It offers an all-in-one workspace for creating games and apps. It works across different computer systems.
AppGameKit Studio gives users everything they need. You can take an idea from the very beginning to a finished game. The coding language is the same as AppGameKit Classic. However, the graphics and user interface have been updated.
GameGuru Classic: Easy 3D Game Maker
In 2012, The Game Creators started a Kickstarter project. They wanted to create a new game engine to replace FPS Creator. They called it FPS Creator Reloaded. Even though the Kickstarter didn't reach its goal, the project continued. It received funding from private donors and community members.
In 2013, before it came to Steam, FPS Creator Reloaded was renamed Game Guru. Game Guru is known as an "easy game maker." It says you don't need any coding experience. It has a built-in terrain editor to create landscapes. It also allows for multiplayer games using the Steam network. The engine was later renamed again to "GameGuru Classic."
GameGuru Max: The Next Generation
In 2019, The Game Creators launched an early version of GameGuru MAX. This is the next version after GameGuru Classic. GameGuru MAX was officially launched on March 25, 2022. However, it is still being improved and updated. Users on Steam have shared mixed opinions about GameGuru Max.
