Getting started with free Gamemaker software for schools CB303 / E40
Summary
Who is it for?
Get your students excited about being programmers and games designers with the new, easy to use, powerful, Gamemaker software which now has a completely free version for schools.
What topics are covered?
In this session David Batty will be demonstrating getting started in Gamemaker while answering questions from attendees as we build a simple game.
We will also cover getting Gamemaker, system requirements, features, workflow, graphics and sound editors and the community surrounding this excellent piece of software.
Gamemaker is really one piece of software that can quickly get your students into being solo games developers working from their bedroom, and best of all, now has a free version for schools and a free version for students. These free versions also give students the ability to upload their games to their own browser based games store page to share with family, friends and the general public by exporting their game to GX.games and publish their game to the fast growing Opera GX audience of more than 10 million gamers.
77.3% of teachers questioned who teach game design said Gamemaker was either 'extremely effective' or 'very effective' at engaging with students.
Gamemaker has been used to create hugely successful games such as Spelunky, Undertale, Hyper Light Drifter, Cook Serve Delicious, The Swords of Ditto an many games your students may have played.
How will you learn?
There is no need to install Gamemaker yourself, simply follow and ask questions as we go along in this live demonstration.
David was a bedroom programmer in the 1980s running his own very successful software house (now it's trendy to call it a 'Studio') and has been a freelance solo developer since 1982. He was a beta tester for Gamemaker Studio 2 for a year prior to its release and has worked with Yo Yo Games (the creators of Gamemaker) in the past at education shows in England and Scotland. For seven years, prior to Covid, David delivered four weeks of Gamemaker games design sessions to residential students (8 to 17 years old) at Techcamp in Winchester during the summer holidays and regularly delivers online and in-school sessions throughout the year.
How long is this course?
This is a 90 minute introduction to Gamemaker, its IDE, workflow and features.
Who is the course leader?
-
David Batty
I am a software developer, qualified teacher, course designer, trainer and digital content developer. I have delivered thousands of hours through...
-
Outcomes
Sessions
| Date | Time | Location | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 Teach computing reach and engagement event (bespoke support) | 11 January 2023 | 15:30-17:00 | Virtual |
Actions
Fees & Subsidies
Included in your CPD subscription
Are you a state-funded Special School or PRU unit? You may be eligible for reduced course fees and even subsidies. Get in touch to check your eligibility and book your place directly. You can see our fees and subsidy information here.
Interested in this course?
Sign up to receive our emails to hear about the latest CPD available