Review

October 30, 2003

Developed by Makslane Araujo Rodrigues

Collaboration: S. Toledo Productions Ltda,
Odilon Nelson Grisi Dantas

www.game-editor.com

Reviewed item (Product ID Game Editor professional Retail Price $49.95 USD)

Products

Recently I had the opportunity to try a program for the desktop computer that allows the creation of stand alone games for the Pocket PC. The program is called “Game Editor” and is available from

 http://www.game-editor.com 

First off, I was not impressed with the IDE (Interactive Development Environment). According to the developer, this program was designed for the non-programmers out there. Upon initial launch of the program, I am greeted with a grid screen and non standard menu options. The IDE is very intimidating for the novice game designer. Basically you are given a blank screen and told to create a game.

While looking deeper under the surface, I find many features that have the potential of allowing you to create a very powerful game if you have some game creation background.

There are terminologies used like “Z-depth” and “create timer” which a novice would not comprehend to any degree.

The package does come with some real basic demos but access to them and the quality is lacking in the tutorial or help which is not directly accessible through the program itself.

No support for the creation of sprites or sound files which this game creator uses extensively to create a game and is essential in creating any good game.  

At this stage, instead of doing a standard review of this product, I am going to make suggestions for future releases that can really make this product a winner for all those Pocket PC users that would like to create their own games in their spare time.

First, I would like the addition in the menu option a standard Windows HELP with search capabilities. Then the file load/save menu to also be in the standard Windows format. If this is to be promoted with the beginner in mind, the developers should start with functions and features beginners are comfortable with and recognize. Like standard Windows menu options and a detailed HELP.

Second, is really a laundry list of changes that I feel as a developer, game creator and gaming enthusiast that should be implemented to really take this game creator to the next level.

Basic Version: 

1. Provide more details in the html HELP files with the novice user in mind.
2. Create a multi window editor that groups tools into specific areas.
3. Addition of a level editor.
4. A distinct separation between creating a desktop game and a Pocket PC game should be made to allow for screen and other differences.
5. Sample board game layouts should be included for easy modifications.
6. Collision detection is not very accurate.
7. A collection of royalty free images and sounds in various categories.

Professional Version: 

1. RPG type game creation support
2. Support for the insertion of various video formats to create intro and ending sequences would be a real treat.
3. Allow for multi-players
4. Ability to save the game and also save high scores.
5. The ability to create your own custom installations.
6. Default about box with a registration prompt plus the ability for the designer to add their own algorithm for registration codes.
7. A simple install program for the finished product for distribution.
8. Support in the future for networked game play creation.
9. Support for plug-ins.
10. A professional quality multi-level game should be included to showcase the potential of the Game-creator.

In regards to the included sample games:

The sample shoot-em-up was compiled and tested on a 1 GHZ PC. The game ran very, very slow and seemed like I was on a old 33 MHZ PC.

The Breakout example has great speed and movement. The only issue is that with all the demo games, no instructions were visible. I was able to locate the ball launch button by searching through all the keys. On my laptop, that was the CTRL and the FN keys. Strange combination of keys.

The asteroids demo I was not able to run at all. Screen indicates CTRL key to start but this did not function for me. None of the keys worked.

As for the professional version, it is not worth the $50 USD asking price.

This program does not have the necessary instruction set or user friendliness that beginners require. For the seasoned game designer, this program lacks the details to create anything that resembles a professional product. A seasoned professional may find the program useful in demonstrating “proof of concept” very quickly once many of the suggestions I have made are included in the future release.

As for creating a game that you can sell at any price is a real pipe dream at this stage.

For this program to truly allow a game designer to be successful in the commercial marketplace should contain professional quality features. At least the program should contain functionalities to allow the creation of a game having the potential of recovering the original purchase price.  Originality and creativity not included.

Added Notes

Bob Katayama - October 2003

Copyright 2003 www.technobrains.com

bkatayama@technobrains.com