Gamemaker-like front end programming GUI?

[Tornadoboy]

No doubt this has been considered before and I know it's an easy suggestion to make from somebody whom doesn't really know how to program , but has anybody looked into the idea of making a Gamemaker-like game building GUI for the Uzebox/Uzebox JAMMA?

It would certainly tear open wide the market for these boards amongst non-programmers!

[JRoatch]

The only GUI thing we have, as far as I remember, is LePlatz.

The thing about gamemaker is that you are programing a game, even though you don't think that you are. You have to lay down the game logic just like with any other toolset and programing language, but instead of typing it as words, you drag a bunch of icons around. Especially dealing with micro-controllers, the moment you get a game with zero programing is the moment you didn't make the game at all. If you know how to program with gamemaker, you can also learn how to program C. If after you work a bit at learning programing, and you get stuck, you can always ask people and google for help.

Granted our current toolset, outside of AVR Studio and avr-gcc, are a bit hackish, because we make most of the tools ourselves. Which is fine because this is one big experiment after all.

[Tornadoboy]

The only GUI thing we have, as far as I remember, is LePlatz.

The thing about gamemaker is that you are programing a game, even though you don't think that you are. You have to lay down the game logic just like with any other toolset and programing language, but instead of typing it as words, you drag a bunch of icons around. Especially dealing with micro-controllers, the moment you get a game with zero programing is the moment you didn't make the game at all. If you know how to program with gamemaker, you can also learn how to program C. If after you work a bit at learning programing, and you get stuck, you can always ask people and google for help.

Granted our current toolset, outside of AVR Studio and avr-gcc, are a bit hackish, because we make most of the tools ourselves. Which is fine because this is one big experiment after all.

True, but it's a lot less cryptic than code and thus a lot easier for a newb to wrap their brains around.

[JRoatch]

A fun idea that just crossed my mind is a "WarioWare DYI" like game that allows you to make small games that is stored in the EEPROM, SD card, and or a password system.

[paul]

I would really like to participate in this if someone wants to manage the project. If not, then I will consider starting it at some point down the line when I have more free time. I'm not making any time commitments at this point, though

[uze6666]

I also really like the "WarioWare" idea. Mini-games have a much better chance to be finished and many peoples can contribute to the final game. Each mini game could have 2-3k allocated allowing for 20+ challenges. I'll open a new thread to gather mini games ideas and test interest.

[D3thAdd3r]

I love that idea, count me in!

[Harty123]

I love that idea, count me in!

me too!

[Tornadoboy]

I don't know how it works with this being open source, but if it came out very user friendly, used all the Uzebox's capabilities and wasn't too expensive I don't doubt people (including myself) would probably be willing to pay for it. Personally I've always wanted to make my own original coin operated arcade game from scratch, I'm more than capable of making all the physical parts including making the cabinet from scratch, but doing actual coding is a little above me.

[D3thAdd3r]

actual coding is a little above me.

You could of course disprove that to yourself in a short time, with enough desire to do so If I can figure it out, well..