// Wrap screen edges if (x < 0) x = room_width; if (x > room_width) x = 0; Recently, GameMaker introduced Feather , an intelligent code checker. To use it effectively, you should add JSDoc annotations . This helps autocomplete and catches bugs.
GML is unique because it grows with you. It can be as simple as x+=5 for a teenager's first game, or as complex as a multi-threaded 2.5D renderer for a Steam hit (like Undertale or Hyper Light Drifter ). gamemaker studio 2 gml
// Create a function variable function calculate_damage(attacker, defender) { var base = attacker.damage; var reduction = defender.armor / 100; return base - (base * reduction); } // Usage in Step Event var dmg = calculate_damage(obj_player, obj_boss); This is incredibly useful for arrays. // Wrap screen edges if (x < 0)
// In obj_enemy_parent (Create Event) hp = 50; speed = 2; // In obj_goblin (Child) // Inherits hp and speed, but we override: hp = 30; speed = 3; // Call parent event using event_inherited(); Before 2020, GML was notoriously basic. The 2.3 update changed everything. To write modern code, you must use Functions and Structs . Script Functions (First-Class Citizens) You can now store functions in variables and pass them around. GML is unique because it grows with you
/// @function calculate_damage(attacker, defender) /// @param {Struct.Player} attacker /// @param {Struct.Enemy} defender /// @returns {Real} function calculate_damage(attacker, defender) { return attacker.dmg - defender.def; } Now, when you type calculate_damage( , the editor tells you exactly what parameters to use. Learning GameMaker Studio 2 GML is a journey. Start by replacing Drag-and-Drop with simple Step events. Then, adopt Structs and Functions. Finally, master optimization and Feather annotations.
// SLOW (looks up sprite_width 60 times per second) repeat(100) { draw_sprite(spr_player, 0, x + sprite_width, y); } // FAST var sw = sprite_width; repeat(100) { draw_sprite(spr_player, 0, x + sw, y); } If you have a huge open world, deactivate objects off-screen.
// Player stats hp_max = 100; hp = hp_max; move_speed = 4; sprite = spr_player_idle; // Input booleans key_left = false; key_right = false;