GameMaker was first developed in 1999 by Professor Mark Overmars to be used in education. This easy-to-learn 2D game-making tool with its GML visual system is ideal for teaching coding and game design. In this article, we will explore the benefits of teaching coding and game design, take a closer look at GameMaker, and learn about the free resources available for educators.

Benefits of Teaching Coding & Game Design

Far beyond improving computing skills, teaching game design affects students in many positive ways. For one, when teaching game design students’ learning engagement is seen at levels far higher than most other subjects. Class behavior improves as does the bond between students and the teacher. Learning to make a game is exciting and students are proud of the games they create improving their confidence. Plus, they are developing key skills to help them succeed in their futures such as teamwork, time management, problem-solving, and planning. In addition, they are getting familiar with programming languages and graphic design. Here are some insights that teachers have shared about their experiences teaching game design and coding with GameMaker.

“I see the positive results of being stuck because there aren’t clear answers to their design questions, which is a positive experience in the end, but at the time manifests as frustration. I simply remind them that it’s OK to be stuck, and help develop their problem-solving skills, such as properly using forums to find answers rather than immediately seeking me out.” -Mark Suter, High School Computer Science Teacher in Elida, Ohio

“Even if students don’t want to go into the video game industry, game design teaches both technical skills and the creativity students need to thrive in today’s global digital workplace.” -Nikki Navta of Carnegie Learning

GameMaker for Education

Perfect for education, GameMaker is an easy-to-use tool for 2D game making. It is ideal for teaching coding, game development, and game design. For middle and high school students, it is ideal for learning programming. As students progress to higher education, it allows students to explore their creativity in games media.

Classroom licensing options include Educator, Educator Plus, and Achiever. One-year and two-year licenses are available. There are differences in options that affect what platforms you can export to therefore we recommend contacting Studica to determine what option is right for you. We can also answer any questions or provide a quote.

Tools (Tutorials and Resources)

• Teach students how to program with Space Bubbles – view tutorials, lessons, worksheets, and more.
• Make a simple game with the Space Rocks tutorial.
• Continue your Space Rocks game with Space Mods which teaches more about items such as power-ups, cameras, and visual effects.
• Keep progressing with the Fire Jump- Full Game DND Tutorial Series.
• For more advanced students there is also the Welcome to Little Town, a Tutorial from GameMaker.