Downloads
Version 4 of Game Maker is a major rewrite. All aspects of the software have been reconsidered and improved. The user interface has been changed completely. The file structure has been changed into a single file. Sprites have been decoupled from objects, image maker and background maker have been incoporated, the built-in language has been extended and improved, and so on. For a more extended list see the Changes.
Due to all these changes, version 4 is not compatible with previous versions. That would limit the possibilities too much. So you should keep on using version 3.3 for your current games. Version 3.3 is still available from the Old Version Page.
Download
The program is available for free for the Windows platform (95, 98, 2000, ME). Simply download it here, and execute gmaker.exe. This will install the Game Maker on your machine. (It will use a different folder than previous versions so you old games will remain intact.) If you have problems with the installer, you can also download a zip file containing the program. Simply unzip it to a place you like.
More resources
Sprites, backgrounds, sounds, etc. are always in high demand. Here I will put some resource packs created or collected by others. The responsibility for the contents rests with the creators. Simply unzip the file in the Game Maker folder. It should place the files in the correct folders.
These downloads contain a few example games and a small collection of sprites, backgrounds, sounds, etc. If you want more example games and resource download the following:
You should install it in the same folder as Game Maker. You can also donwload the zip file instead:Dung Truong has composed 10 looping midi files that can be used as background music:
Alasdair Forsythe has written some scripts that can be used to add database support in your games.
Support for other music formats
Martin Rijks has made a DLL that extends the functionality of Game Maker such that it can play MOD music files. It is very simple to use and opens many new possibibilities for music in your games. The package can be used for free although there are some licence issues if you want to sell your games. The package includes a great demonstration program that is a MOD file player. Download the package here. Don't forget to read the doc.
Support for playing CD's
Xception has made a DLL that extends the functionality of Game Maker such that it can play CD's. It is simple to use and comes with documentation and an example program. Download the package here. Don't forget to read the doc.
Game Maker is always being developed further. Please report any problems or suggestions you have to gamemaker@wanadoo.nl. Describe the problem carefully and, if possible, incluse an example game that exhibits the problematic behavior.