Resources
Stencyl Resources
- Stencyl Site
- Download Stencyl here. The free version is what we used in class.
- Stencylpedia Crash Courses
- A great starting place for learning the fundamentals of Stencyl (by making a space invaders clone).
- Stencyl Forums
- A friendly place to ask questions if you get stuck or need some help.
- Learning Stencyl 3.x Game Development: Beginner's Guide
- A book that covers all the fundamentals of Stencyl. If you do some googling, you can find an online version.
- Stencyl TV
- Video tutorials from a series of Stencyl community members.
Other Free Game Engines
- Twine
- If you want to make interactive stories, definitely take a look at Twine. Coding in Twine is as simple as writing your interactive story in a flow chart. If you are more interested in visual novels, check out Ren'Py.
- Unity3D
- A fantasic place to start if you want to make 3D games. A popular engine, so there are plenty of learning resources available, and the Unity website's tutorials are a good place to start.
- GameMaker
- A beginner friendly 2D game engine. Similar to Stencyl, but GameMaker is more popular engine. The tutorials on the site are a good place to start learning.
- Others
- There are so many different game making tools out there. If you are trying to decide, keep in mind that the more popular a particular game making engine/tool, the more likely it is to have good learning materials.
Game Jams
A game jam is an online or in-person gathering of people who commit to making a game in an extremely short period of time. The goal isn't to produce a final product, but rather to work with what you know and experiment with turning ideas into prototypes. Game jams are a great way to help focus you on getting to the core of an idea. They are also a great way to meet people who make games and share your game with them.
- Ludum Dare
- 48- (or 72-) hour game jam held every four months. Work alone or form a team with friends.
- Global Game Jam
- 48-hour game jame held once a year. Locations that host the jams are listed on the site. You form teams in-person on the day of the event.
- Experimental Gameplay Project
- Monthly, online game jam. Make a game in 7 days.