Learn GameMaker Studio 2
Explore a focused collection of community-created tutorials, guides, and learning resources. Learn how to make a video game from scratch in GameMaker Studio 2 — from your first small prototype to advanced 48‑hour game jam strategies — all gathered here to help you progress as a GameMaker developer.
How to Make Your First Video Game
Start your game development journey with community tutorials and getting‑started guides selected to help complete beginners learn how to make their first GameMaker Studio 2 project.
Getting Started
Download & Setup GameMaker Studio 2
Learn how to download, install, and configure GameMaker Studio 2 for your first game development project.
- ✓ System requirements
- ✓ Installation guide
- ✓ Interface overview
- ✓ Project setup
Core Concepts
GameMaker Studio 2 Fundamentals
Master the essential concepts of GameMaker Studio 2 including objects, sprites, rooms, and events.
- ✓ Objects and instances
- ✓ Sprites and animation
- ✓ Rooms and levels
- ✓ Events and actions
First Game
Build Your First Complete Game
Create a simple but complete game from start to finish, learning essential game development workflows.
- ✓ Game design basics
- ✓ Player movement
- ✓ Collision detection
- ✓ Score and UI
Level Up Through the gm(48) Game Jam
The gm(48) is a focused 48‑hour GameMaker game jam that accelerates learning: you practice scoping, feature triage, collaboration, and shipping a playable build on a real deadline — then get structured peer feedback to improve.
Practice makes perfect
Core execution patterns sharpened every gm(48) weekend.
- ✓ Slice ideas into a minimal fun loop
- ✓ Prioritize must‑have vs nice‑to‑have
- ✓ Build vertical slices early
- ✓ Reuse & adapt existing snippets ethically
- ✓ Stabilize & package on deadline
Feedback & Progress
What sets the gm(48) apart is structured peer review and iteration.
- ✓ Rating categories highlight strengths
- ✓ Required feedback builds critique habits
- ✓ Learn pacing from past high scorers
- ✓ Track personal improvement over jams
- ✓ Inspiration from diverse participant styles
GameMaker Studio 2 Tutorials
View All Tutorials
Sine Waves make your game prettier
Spice up the visuals in your game using sine wave motion.
Expandable Collision System (with slopes)
Create a robust collision system for your platformer (or other types of games).
Unlock Your Creativity with Game Jams
Do you find yourself struggling to come up with fresh ideas for your creative projects? Look no further than game jams!
BGM48 | Music for gm48 entries
72 pieces of background music for use in your gm48 entries
Guides to Game Development
View All Guides
How to make better games (99.9% success rate)
Guide to making better games. Works just about as well as most hand sanitizers.
Make your game better in 5 seconds
Seriously, do this 🙏🙏🙏
Presenting your game: Icon + Description
Aim to stand out from the crowd with a great icon and description
how to make a Metroidvania in 48-hours!
A guide on how I made some competent full feeling Metroidvania's in only 48 hours!
The Most Complicated Camera Code
Pretty self explanatory.
How to survive your first Jam - Mentally & Physically
A Game Jam, like any competition, takes some level of mental and physical preparation. These are my tips to prepare for a jam.
Why Learn GameMaker Studio 2?
GameMaker Studio 2 supports rapid iteration, accessible learning, and production‑ready features — making it suitable for newcomers and seasoned developers alike.
Easy to Start
Drag-and-drop interface makes GameMaker Studio 2 for beginners the perfect choice when learning how to make video games.
Powerful Features
GML scripting language provides unlimited possibilities for advanced game development.
Strong Community
Join thousands of GameMaker developers sharing knowledge and creating amazing games.
Multi-Platform
Deploy your games to PC, Mac, mobile, consoles, and web with one codebase.
Rapid Development
Perfect for game jams - create complete games in 48 hours with efficient workflows.
Commercial Success
Many successful indie games on Steam were created with GameMaker Studio 2.
Free GameMaker Resources
Download project files, sprites, code snippets, and examples from past gm(48) participants to accelerate your learning.