We are pleased to announce Express Game Maker (EGM)!




Ever wanted to make games but you don't know how to program or draw? Wait no more! Express Game Maker is a 2D game making software that requires no programming or artistic knowledge to use. Make games for Windows, Xbox Live, and Silverlight.


What makes Express Game Maker different from the rest?

Intuitive user-interface… powerful C# engine… ease of use… loads of features… and multi-platform deployment.

EGM is designed from the ground up to be user friendly as well as powerful. Keeping in mind both beginner and advanced users, EGM has features to cater for all.

Beginner game developers will be able to take advantage of:

• Project templates that come with pre-setup data to quickly get them started.
• Resource packages that provide graphics, font and audio they can use in their games.
• The release version of EGM will also come with a built-in tutorial system to guide you through creating your first game.

Advanced users will be able to make their own project templates and take full advantage of:

• The custom databases.
• The powerful event editor.
• Multi-Variable System.
• The particle system.

Programmers can enhance their games by adding their own code to the fully open source C# engine written on top of XNA and even share the code with others.

ExpressGameMaker.com/Features
Check out the weeklies for more info.


ExpressGameMaker.com – Our main website
facebook.com/ExpressGameMaker - EGM on Facebook
twitter.com/EGMaker - Follow us on Twitter


Place one or more of these in your signature and spread EGM! (Link back to this thread or our website)








This is Virtual Impact Studios LLC's first project! The Release Candidate’s Release Date is planned to be sometime in May-June 2010.

All content is work in progress and is subject to change without notice.

From what you've described and by the looks of the graphics this basically looks no better than an Enterbain Engine. The presentation for you're game maker is nice however, I would like to see some more reasons why I would choose this engine, and on this site.


Edit: Why are you showing this, when you don't even have a beta out?

The purpose of this post to create awareness of EGM and introduce it. We didn't release a beta and won't because the application is almost complete and we don't want to spend time preparing a beta (which would take time). We will release a demo once the application is finished for the purpose of public testing and feedback.

As far as the engine, we didn't reveal anywhere enough information yet so I can understand the conclusion you came to but as I noted in the post we will try to do so every 3 days. We will also upload several videos, demo games and finally a demo of the program.

The first set of graphics will be for the Medival RPG Genre. We will try to release more graphic packages few months after the initial release of the program, such as arcade. These graphics are meant as starters for new users. Advanced users can use their own graphics or edit the ones we release of course. We encourage team work and sharing so we won't release new graphics often (but enough to make a good game), only as starters for new users.

I hope you will give EGM a chance once the demo is out.

The 'public testing demo' is essentially a beta.

Aside from the C# engine. You really need to state these "loads of features" in the thread, specifically what differentiates this from Rpg Maker.

Well for one there's particle animations, I can also see collision detections, just look at the screen shots.

Isn't this supposed to be in Ad Plaza? If there's no release of this engine I think it should be moved.

It can be argued either or, I suggest you leave it as is.

Agree. I enjoy reading about upcoming game engines.

I have a few questions:

1. Are animated tiles supported (autotile & regular)?

2. Is there a scripting area for advanced users? Or must we edit the C# source code to make deeper changes? Will there be an SDK if we have to dig through C#?

3. Is there mouse support for our games?

4. Is this freeware or shareware? If shareware, will it be available for commercial games?

Thanks guys and we are having some website problems (locally) at the time so we couldn't talk about about two more features Audio and Eventing, we will do so as soon as we solve the website problem.

kabuto202 (thanks ) pointed out some of the obvious and some more we revealed are multiple-tilesets per map, tile manipulation, layer effects, unlimited layers, animation editor (for use for both sprites and effects), ability to play videos, handling multiple audios at once (max 100) and custom workspace. These are just the few of what we released so far but we rather let the demos and videos do the talking (soon) For now, register the forums and stay up to date with latest updates!


1. Of course .

2. Open source engine (C#). The engine currently is node based (IE, Screen > Menu / Map > Event > (Some other processors)). Everything is made of Processors and Data. Processors process data and are updateble and/or drawable. Processors can also process other proecesses (ie. Map Processor > Event Processor ) There will be a documentation of the engine.

The reason there is no script functionality is because our main aim is for multi-platform engine. C# is a very easy and powerful language (I started from Ruby and went straight to C#). If we add scripting, the engine will not run on XBOX Live which would create an inconsistency. There are efforts to get Lua to work on Xbox Live and we are watching that closely.

3. There is keyboard, mouse and xbox controller support. The mouse support can be used in Event activation, variables, and conditions. You can also pick a mouse graphic through settings (the current screenshot of the settings is a bit old). Unfortunately we have some problems with the website development so we couldn't upload about the next feature on our list, Eventing. It would have made a few things much more clear.

4. Shareware and yes, we would love it if our tool is used in a commercial game.

If you have any questions, don't hesitate to ask. I will try to answer what I can.

nice features there! if i decided to use this i'll definitely learn C#...
EDIT:
i forgot that it's shareware. i don't want to buy!!!!!!

Read the rest here:
http://www.expressgamemaker.com/Community/...March-2010.aspx

Nope, it's not tile based. It has two easily switchable/usable ways to map which is tiled and free. The movement and collision is completely pixel based.

That's good.

To bad it's not available for me to test it.

Hello everyone,

This week on EGM we will release the first video on EGM and tell you about our progress.
You can watch the video on our youtube page http://www.youtube.com/user/ExpressGameMaker.

Don't forget to rate the video!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nqnXRAF7gSE&fmt=22.

This video is for those who are already familiar with EGM or any other game maker and game development. Our next video will be for those who are unfamiliar with it .


So far, the development on EGM is going smooth and we have already started the first phase of the private beta testing.

The battle system and the menu maker are also almost complete. We’ve tweaked the UI and added some new UI elements to make EGM easier to use some of which can be seen in the video.

We have only a few more features to complete and EGM will be ready for the second phase of testing.

Remember to tell others about us!
Express Game Maker Team, http://www.expressgamemaker.com

Hello everyone,

We know that many of you come from tile-based mapping game makers. So this week we are going to cover the mapping system in EGM and why it's better than the traditional tiled mapping systems. I've used tile-based game makers before and using EGM may feel like the same at first but the more you use it you will notice the key differences.

EGM's mapping system is a layer based free/pixel mapping system. This means you can freely place tiles in a map and each tile is an object with its own properties (scale, rotation, and tint). In short, you don'™t have to follow a grid or be stuck with 3 or less layers.

Since there is no preset grid in EGM, you can have as many layers as you want. Even though there is no preset limit to the amount of tiles, because each tile is an object you'll have to be careful about the amount of tiles you use. In the current version, we haven't come up with a way to use unlimited tiles… yet.

That's the map editor. It's made up of several components, which are:
1. The map - where you place the tiles and events to.
2. The maps explorer - where you manage your maps.
3. The layers - where you manage the layers.
4. The map's events explorer - an extra simple way to access the events on the selected map.
5. The tiles explorer - contains the graphics you can place on to the map.
6. The tileset editor - where you add the graphics to be used for the map.


Although you don't have to use a grid based mapping system in EGM, it's still best to use tilesets because they are easier to manage then loads of single sprites. However, if you do not wish to use tilesets, you can just easily match the sprite's grid to its size, making it a single sprite like so:


Now, in order to map, we need to create a map which can done by clicking the gridded map icon with the small green plus sign. You can edit the map settings by clicking the gray cog icon.


You can edit the map size, the grid size, the gravity (optional), the effects (BGM, BGS, Tint, and Fog), dim the layers, and snap to grid.
Snap to grid can be used for tile based mapping and can be turned off to pixel map and add details to the map. This is actually my favorite feature in the whole map editor simply because it lets me add the small details and layer tiles on top of each other without using different layers.


Notice that the swords and the shields are on the same layer (named “Events�). With snap to grid off, you can place tiles anyway you want. Also, one of the swords is tilted (rotated) by 17 degrees thanks to the edit tile dialog. There are other tiles in the screenshot that are placed by pixel mapping such as the chairs and the torch.

So, why exactly is this an important feature for mapping? In short, tile/grid based maps don't look very natural and pleasing to the eye because everything is neat, squared, and extremely symmetrical. Even if you wanted to make small changes such as a simple rotation or layer/group tiles, you would have to edit the whole tileset in an image editing software (ie. Photoshop, paint) and re-import the tileset. Which is very inconvenient, time-taking and limiting.
Tha's it for now, once the demo is released, we will be posting video tutorials on how to use many of EGM's features.

Remember to tell others about us!
Express Game Maker Team, www.expressgamemaker.com

Awesome, this is what I wanted to see in an upcoming rpg maker. Easy and simplicity as of VX but more powerful than VX. The only thing I would suggest is the items in another layer need shadows so they can be looking realistic in the map. I wonder if you guys have worked on Shadows? I am sold with your makers.

But where can I download the program?

What will be cost of EGM? And more important question - will you plan Linux port or *at least* compatibility with Wine?

//EDIT: Using Mono instead of .NET would improve compatibility with Wine.

I expect it will not exceed $50 bucks. A million production games of Capcom cost around 50 bucks. Think of the popularity, and economy curve.Sell less for more, sell more for less.

What... Why would you use Wine with a C# application.

Good, good. From what I see this has quite a few hands over an Enterbrain engine . . .Enterbrain could use some competition. I've used a lotta RPG Makers over the years . . . RMXP, Verge, the RPG Toolkit, Sphere etc and none of them are 100% satisfactory . . always a stupid feature in there somewhere. When this comes out, I'm definitely going to fire it up. The tile system looks simple and impressive.
A few questions and a few suggestions, though.
Questions:
1) Scripting? Is there a custom scripting language, or have you entirely eliminated the need for it?
2) Licensing?

Suggestions:
A while back I worked on a game using the RPG Toolkit. While the project was abandoned simply because the Toolkit sucked, I got used to some incredible features in the Toolkit - such as 16 layers support and lighting effects (yes, built-in tile shading). All in all, this led to some incredible maps. You guys should include such features. They might be difficult, but believe me, they'll blow away your competition. And at the end of the day it's the end user who gets the most benefits, as developers get some incredible out-of-the-box effects to add to their games.

Keep rollin'

I don't think the toolkit sucks, and I think that they should definitely implement those features.

Another feature I would like to see is tile hue change, such as adding more blue to the colour values, or red, etc. etc.

According to the recent announcement the Open beta is in July.

Hello everyone,

Signing up for beta testing Express Game Maker is now open! This is your chance to test out Express Game Maker and help make it one of the best out there.

Register now:
http://www.expressgamemaker.com/BetaSignup/

The testing will start in just a few weeks. We are currently fixing bugs, making templates, making sample games, and writing tutorials.

Invite your friends to sign up for the testing!
Express Game Maker Team

Any news on the price the software will eventually cost?

Well, first flaw i've noticed is that Anyone outside of America cant register. since the only option to register is for Americans. that kinda sucks since im British.

Canadians can't sign up for the beta

I'll be doing video logs of the editor when I get it, I mean you'll see everything in rich detail.
I'll even be doing a small zelda project with the beta/video logs to show how GOOD this engine is over RPG Maker. I may even code a FFIX battle system or Chrono Trigger to show how versatile your battle choices are.. Course this isn't a RPG Maker it's like Game Maker only better..seriously better.

This could also help me spot bugs quicker with youtube comments! For those that will be beta testing I'd suggest doing the same as we want the full release as soon as possible, or before late august!

few months after the first version of the program as the porch. These graphics are intended as a starting point for new users. Advanced users can use their own graphics or change, of course, we communicated.

wow that's really excellent idea love this forum..

Curious, is anyone a beta tester here? Maybe we could collaborate some tutorials for EGM for the mass public beta?

This looks impressive, and competes with Enterbrain. I've tried a good number of game making programs, and RM has always come out on top. There are some good features in this, but not too many that I would actually utilize, or really care about. When a demo game is released with the program, I will consider using it if I am really impressed.

*edit*
I think you may have already, but since the program is still in development, please look around the web at what people are saying they dislike or want to have in RPG Maker or other game makers. Though it may be an extra challenge, including those wanted features could make a huge difference in your program and make it come out on top.

It can handle games like chrono trigger, tales of, zelda, seiken densetsu for example without breaking a sweat and they're easy and fun to code! (without use of C#) For advanced users there's C# to use, there's also going to be a code editor or you can use visual C#.

This also works on unbuntu and Linux(I've tested it)

Right now the beta isn't that usable atm, I did learn a few things but some of the things were not working and that's because they're on a new binder/loader or whatever. Though MR.MO has said the problem has been fixed and I should be able to test the working version tonight.

Express game maker will be in public testing the beginning of October, October 1st!

Public Beta released, go and download!

Version 0.9.2 has been released after a long 3 month wait! Many bugs have been fixed, the next version includes.
- XNA 4.0 Framework
- Weather and Particle Effects(finally)
- and template modifications for xna 4.0

http://expressgamemaker.com/Community/Foru...posts&t=427

Know what else RPG Maker doesn't really have? Support for TBS games. Turn Based Strategy is something that I feel should be possible with any tile-based game maker and I wish developers would start including it as well.

And also, will this program support noteboxes in the character/item/whatever editors?

Edit: Okay, I have one teeny tiny insignificant little problem so far... It takes like a whole fking hour to get DL'd and installed. That's a bit ridiculous to me.

HOWEVER, the interface is slick looking. The ability to have tabs and such smoothly pop out is very Windows 7ish. The overall smoothness of it is great too. Having a particle maker is one of the biggest things I'm looking for so I'm looking forward to the next release.

One other logical complaint would obviously be the lack of resources. Lol I don't have a shit ton to work with haha

For anyone reading this who has not DL'ed it yet, THIS IS NOT A LAME RIPOFF OF RMXP/VX OR ANY OTHER GAME MAKER. This is quite different and it'll take me a while to get used to it. I suspect with more time it could easily be mainstream however.

The download speed is based off your ISPs DNS and your internet speed, yes EGM is capable of a TBS game and so is RPG Maker through RGSS scripting. EGM can do this right out of the box with event scripting or depending how advanced you wanna go there's C#.

EGM will eventually surpass RPG Maker in just about every way once version 1.0 hit's however I'm thinking it will receive a $99 price tag. Which is about the same as torque 2D however both of these engines are capable of the exact same things.

Please tell me that wording was accidental... >.>

yes, wording error.

Hahaha after having it crash on me like 20 times I'm not so sure

I can't even create an account to download. Won't take any of my emails, says they are all invalid.

Your Computer must be able to run Xna if it can't you can't use EGM.

Magic sentya a PM at Rpgw.

Ah, I'll head over now

What does a PC need to have to run Xna?

Your GPU need's to have shader model 1.1 but 2.0 is recommended, almost anything from 2005+ has this.

Well, I can run CS5 and a few other things, so here's hoping...My mother can tell me what card I have, as my stupid PC doesn't have that information...

Can't use the software until ExpressGameMaker helps me out with my account and help me make one. This sucks man, won't even let me create an account >.>