GameMakersToolkit posts
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Introducing the GMTK Patreon Jam!
Hello PatronsEvery year, I host the GMTK Game Jam - which always attracts thousands and thousands of game designers. But... perhaps you'd like something a little more low key?Well you're in luck! In December I'm hosting a tiny winter version of the jam that's exclusively for GMTK Patreon supporters. And you can join the jam now.It's a little different from the main jam. It's longer (though, just use as much of the allotted time as you like - perhaps working in the evening...
You made 7000 games about size and scale
Hello Patrons!I've finally picked my favourite games from GMTK Game Jam 2024. So, without further ado, here 20 amazingly clever games about size and scale.You can watch it on YouTube, read it on Substack, or watch it on Nebula(uploading now, coming soon!)Thanks!Mark
Ad Free - The Best Games from GMTK Game Jam 2024
Hey Patrons!I'm just about to release the GMTK Game Jam 2024 round up to the world - so here's your ad free version. Thanks for your continued support.
Mark's Month - August 2024
Hello Patrons! I'm here with a quick check in for August.What I Made This MonthAugust was almost completely and utterly taken over by GMTK Game Jam 2024! I'll do a proper post mortem soon but the main things to note were: this was, once again, our biggest jam ever with 32,000 sign ups and 7,700 games. People generally appreciated the extra 48 hours. And we saw some really creative and enjoyable games.I thought I would get more normal GMTK work done but ultimately my month was taken up wi...
GMTK Digest - August 2024
Hello GMTK supporters! Summer is still being summer, so it's a little light on new releases and announcements. But I've still got some stuff to read, watch, and play while enjoying these last few glimpses of sunlight. Speak soon!HeadlinesPlayStation’s ‘Concord’ Did Not Break 700 Players On Steam On Launch Day"I have never seen this before. Not to this extent. The $200 million-losing disaster, Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League, launched with 13,000 concurrent players". ...
A quick note on Patreon's new iOS pricing
Hey all!You might have seen some news / social media stuff about Patreon and iOS. So I thought I would quickly explain how this might impact you and GMTK.What's happening?Apple has a rule whereby any time someone signs up to a subscription through an iOS app, Apple will get a 30% cut.In November this will also apply to Patreon - meaning that Patreon creators will have to pay 30% of their donations to Apple (on top of the 5-8% they pay to Patreon) if that person signs up through the iOS app.T...
The hardest thing about finishing a game (Developing 15)
"Developing is an on-going YouTube series, where I share the step-by-step process of making my first video game: Mind Over Magnet!In this episode I finally finish my game and reveal Mind Over Magnet's release date."Edit: Forgot to add - it's also on Nebulaand SubstackThanks to all Patrons for supporting the game and this series! Speak soonMark
Early / Ad Free - The hardest thing about finishing a game
Hey Patrons!I'm back with a new episode of Developing - which you can watch early, and without ads, above. In this one I talk about finally finishing my game and even announce the release date! This one will be released to the world, on all the usual platforms, tomorrow. Cheers!Mark
Mark's Month - July 2024
Hello Patrons! How are you doing?What I Made Last MonthI want to kick off with the big news: Mind Over Magnet is done! Well, like 99.9% done. It needs a couple more songs and a bit more bug testing. But the game is content complete and almost ready to roll.I'll be announcing the release date really soon.And I want to really thank you for your patience during this time. I know this is not what everyone signed up for - a lot of you would rather I would just get on with the normal GMTK analysis...
GMTK Digest - July 2024
Hey there! Welcome to the GMTK Digest for July 2024.This one might be a little... light. And that's for two reasons. One is that I've been working almost non stop on getting Mind Over Magnet finished, leaving little time for other games. And two is that it's the summer! It's the dry season for games!Still, I've dug up some new releases, some headlines, and some must-watch videos. So get out the hammock and enjoy.New ReleasesZenless Zone ZeroA new free-to-play game from the Ge...
Was Steam Next Fest worth it as a game developer?
Developing is an on-going YouTube series, where I share the step-by-step process of making my first video game: Mind Over Magnet!In this episode I get my game ready for the Steam Next Fest. How did I go about hiring people to help make the game? And how many people wishlisted the game during the event?This video is available on YouTube, Nebula, and Substack. (Links might take a second to process...)Cheers!Mark
Early / Ad Free - Was Steam Next Fest worth it?
Hey Patrons!I'm back with a big update for Developing. In this episode I talk about hiring a composer and an artist, and submitting my game to Valve's Steam Next Fest showcase. I also talk about the feedback I received and what's next for the game!Thanks for the patience while I work away at the game. I'm hoping to have it all finished and released in the next few months. And then I can focus on normal GMTK stuff again. But it's exciting to be almost finished!Oh yeah - from n...
Mark's Month - June 2024
Hello! Welcome back to Mark's Month - my monthly newsletter on me and my work. This a month all about magnets and teeth. So lemme get into it...What I Made Last MonthUh... nothing! Oops, sorry about that. I've been so focused on game development that I didn't get around to making a video.I did, however, release a demo! For a video game! Woah! Valve held its latest "Next Fest" in June, which is a digital festival for upcoming indie games. Anyone can submit their demo to show u...
GMTK Digest - June 2024
Hello!Welcome back to the GMTK Digest. This is my monthly catch-up session for all-things gaming. You'll get to hear about some new releases, the biggest headlines, and loads of articles and videos that I think you'll enjoy.June marks E3-ish season, so all three platforms had a showcase of upcoming games. Let's start with those conference breakdowns...HeadlinesNintendo Direct June 2024: Everything Announced- Nintendo gave us a look at its first Zelda-led Zelda game. The Princess can ...
Mark's Month - May 2024
Hey! Welcome back to Mark's Month, my newsletter about what I've been working on in the last 30 days. Let's get into it!What I Made Last MonthSo my big project for May was a massive video on "the 100 games that taught me game design".Lemme explain where the idea came from. One of my current consulting gigs is for a big AAA game at one of the major publishers, and the whole thing started with a pitch deck to explain what the game will be like. And as part of this presentation ...
Weekender - Isles of Sea and Sky
Hello Patrons! Me again!I ended up ahead of schedule and with a free day on my hands. So I thought I'd take the time to make a new episode of Weekender. I really enjoyed a new puzzle game called Isles of Sea and Sky and wanted to make sure everyone knew about it - so here we are! The video explains what the game is and what makes it cool.You can watch it above, ad-free, on Patreon. Or check it out on YouTube, Nebula, or Substack!Speak soon,Mark
GMTK Game Jam returns!
Hello PatronsA quick heads up that the GMTK Game Jam is back this year. It's happening in August and you're getting twice as long to make your game.I've never been particularly comfortable with the fact that the 48 hour jam encourages harmful, crunch-like working conditions. So this year I'm giving you 96 hours - time to make an awesome game AND take breaks, live your life, and go to sleep.Hopefully that will work out - we'll see how people react to the new format and then ch...
GMTK Digest - May 2024
Hello!Welcome to the first issue of the GMTK Digest. This is my expanded and improved 'Reading List', now for the $3 tier.So you still get a whole bunch of article and video recommendations, but now you also get the month's big industry headlines and info on the month's new games - both the major releases and some under-the-radar recommendations.I'm still figuring out the best way to present this so please do leave any and all feedback in the comments - I'll be happy to h...
Early Access: 100 Games That Every Designer Should Play
Hello Patrons!I went and did a very silly thing! I made a two hour video featuring 100 different games. And it took me FOREVER to make.But it's finally done, and I think it's pretty cool. Taking us from Space Invaders and Pac-Man to Tunic and Vampire Survivors, this is a rapid-fire whirlwind tour of game design history. Each game has something to share or teach about design - and so I'll tell you why the game's important and tell you how to play it today.I'll share more about...
Mark's Month - April 2024
Hello GMTK Patrons! It's time to shake things up a bit... so I'm introducing a couple changes to the rewards on this page.So this is "Mark's Month", which is for Patrons on the $1 (or equivalent) tier. It's a new monthly newsletter where I'll share absolutely everything I've been up to in the last 30 days. What I've been working on, where I've been, what I'm playing and watching, and anything else that seems relevant. I have sporadically posted bits of...
Reading List (April 2024)
Hello Patrons!April has been a month for travel, recovery, and working on a ridiculous list with 100 games. It's taking a little longer than expected so thanks for your patience! Until then, articles, videos, and podcasts! Enjoy!Design[Read] How Super Mario Bros. Wonder's devs narrowed down 2000 ideas for its effects- "Can't you make this so instead of going to another area, the environment itself changes?"[Watch | 14 mins] The Economics of Monster Encounters- SOMA developer ...
What I'm Up To
Hey PatronsJust wanted to check in and let you know what I'm up to.So, as I stated before I'm taking a little time away from Mind Over Magnet to rest, recover, and make sure I'm okay to get the game done. Things are really coming along now - I just got my first piece of music from my composer! And I'm excited to get back in there and finish the game.But right now I'm working on a different project. It's a video called 100 Games Every Designer Should Play. And, as the name...
GMTK Mini - Balatro's 'Cursed' Design Problem
Hey Patrons!I'm having a nice relaxing break from game dev, and so I wanted to make a quick video to unpick one of the curious bits of design in Balatro. It's about information, player psychology, and listening to your audience. Hope you dig it!Mark
Bonus Video: My Recent Retro Gaming Pick-ups
Hey Patrons!For your bonus video this month, I thought it might be fun to hang out and look at some of the retro games I've added to my collection in the last few months. While I talked about being a lapsed game collector in a previous vlog... I think I've gotten the bug again! Eek!
Reading List (March 2024)
Hey all! Thanks for your words of support yesterday. Right now I’m just playing Dragon’s Dogma 2 to refresh and reset. But I’ll back to making GMTK videos soon!For now, here’s a whole bunch of brilliant articles and videos I think you’ll appreciate.Design[Read] Ten Tips For A Better Game City - “I compiled this list of the ten most important aspects of city design that you should keep in mind when creating a video game urban environment.” Requires a (free) Medium account.[Watch | C...
Hitting my limit
Hey all! Mark hereBack in late January I had a plan - to work on Mind Over Magnet, pretty much non stop, until the game was done. This went really well for a while! I made a lot of the game. I overhauled the entire art style. I made two dev logs. I submitted the game to Steam. Gave it a name. Hired a composer and an artist (for marketing art). And settled in to a productive weekly schedule of creation, playtesting, and feedback.If I kept going at this pace I would easily be done by around May or...
New video - I just changed my entire game
Hey Patrons!I am still hard at work on Mind Over Magnet. Thank you for your patience at this time! Things are going well - I write this update from a restaurant in London, after taking my game to a university where it was playtested by an entire class of game dev students!In this new video I discuss submitting the game to Steam Next Fest - and all the stuff I had to do to get the game ready for the digital convention in June.As Patrons, you can play the latest build here - though please note tha...
Patreon Preview: I just changed my entire game
Hey Patrons!Next week I'll be releasing the next episode of Developing - my series about making my very own indie game. And you can watch it right now, above!Cheers!Mark
Bonus Video - My Favourite Productivity Tip
Thanks Patrons!Mark
Mind Over Magnet Devlog - February 27
Hey Patrons!I’m sorry about the radio silence as of late. I am deep, deep, deep within game dev and am really committed to getting this game finished. So everything else is getting sidelined! But I thought it would be a good time to check in and talk about what I’ve been working on since we last spoke.The big vector overhaulOkay. So in the previous devlog, I talked about how I took the UI - which was all drawn in pixel art - and remade it as vector art. Well in January… I did the same thin...
