The Raycasting Game Maker is a free easy to use game editor that creates simple raycasting games in the style of Wolf3D. The finished game needs only two files to run, an executable and a pak file with the game data. The game runs in Windowed- or Fullscreen Mode and supports 16 and 32 bit color.
ok it ain't perfect but still wonderfull to start with
There's a lot of untapped potential left in this engine.
I was one of the main testers back when the developer was building this engine over a decade ago, since RGM v1.0, back when bithandler was active with its message boards. I supported him to create the subsequent iterations that include the multitude of weapons and bullet features. Sadly, he stopped working on it due to time constraints in his life, and I wish to re-connect him and even fund him to continue putting in more features.
That being said, I've picked this engine up and put it down several times over the past 10+ years. I fell in love with the idea of single-handedly being able to create a game that doesn't take in insurmountable hours to make. However, as I've created a couple of games that I never published (and regrettably deleted), I became more and more familiar with exploits of its limited features to push for pseudo-features that could make our games more interesting. I'm very familiar with every facet of the engine, but I digress. I realize that making a solid game on here, albeit with its limitations, still would take hundreds of hours of work.
I think this is a wonderful engine for anyone who has always grown up interested in making up games when playing as kids. It's a good creative exercise, and brings a factor of nostalgia with its Wolf3D-style gameplay. And, because it doesn't require rigorous coding like literally any other engine out there, it enables us to create full-length games by ourselves over the course of several months, or a couple of years.
Merger3D was the most impressive game created with RGM, and has inspired me to create my own game that is just as extensive, if not more! Seeing the creator push boundaries, including the creative use of Cut Scenes and even pushing dimension limitations on weapons has opened a refreshing avenue for what the engine creator left behind. I've been working on a game of my own for about 300+ hours now, but wish there was a community to inspire each other. I wish to connect with anyone who's actively utilizing this engine so we may share ideas.
Now, I give this a 9 because there are quite some limitations with the engine from what the creator left off. If he had just added a couple more things, we'd have a whole lot more to work with. For example, if there was even 2 keys available for each level, we could create more interesting levels. I've been planning to create a .gamepak for each individual level in my game, so that each level can have its own set of 40 wall textures, its own key design, and its own 5 unique enemies. That I can live with, but I wonder how different of a game it could be with a limitation of 6 enemies? Or 7 weapons? Or 50 walls? Or 20 sprites? Or 2 different ammo/health pickups that give different amounts? Or different types of ammo specific to weapons? Or different sounds when "Treasures" are collected? (I'm using Treasures as invisible sprites that trigger a certain sound in the level) Or, imagine v5 allowed for us to change the sprites on enemy bullets/bullet impacts/bullet speed, like v4 does? Or, if height could be doubled so as to create a more dynamic looking environment (and make outdoor levels look more realistic)? From what I remember, the creator of RGM implemented all the features that we see in today's latest versions within a matter of days. It was just up to people like me and stickman64 and a few others to suggest them as we tested the versions. But again, I digress.
I suppose this is a half-review and half trying to connect with a community. But yeah. There's a lot that can be done with this engine and I have yet to see a game that uses it to its absolute full potential! Hoping for anyone on here to reach out so we can connect.
its easy and cool :P
I've used this engine for a long time now, so I think it's right I review it.
Raycasting Game Maker comes with 3 programs: The Editor, a Menu Maker, and a Color Adjuster.
The color adjuster allows you change the Hue of textures and Menu screens you use for your game, so it's nothing special.
The Menu Maker allows you to edit your menu text and select a background image. You can also change the text font and color. Makes Menu Making really easy.
The important thing is the editor itself. Drawing the level is very easy to do. You can easily edit game setting with the toolbars at the top and change images for weapons, enemies, etc. The editor also supports MIDI music files. However, the MIDI player is kinda bugged and sometimes might glitch out during gameplay.
The actual game runs fine, but theres no option to change the resolution. Even if you run fullscreen or resize the window, the game runs at I think 640x480 resolution. Not a big deal, but it would be nice to have the games look a little nicer.
Gameplay is fun and feels like Wolfenstein or Blake Stone.
Overall, it's an easy editor to use. However, it has it's flaws. Certain images like the weapons have different background colors than the sprites for enemies. Weapon sprites need to have a black background while enemy and pickup item sprites need a white background. Really annoying and you have to edit your sprites if the image uses those colors.
Also, the enemies always face the player, and they dont walk straight, they move in a side-to-side manner. It hardly effects gameplay though.
Raycasting Game Maker is something people new to game creation can use. Those with experience have better options, but the editors easy interface and level design make this engine a winner in my book. There are also great games I've played with it. Highly recommended.
A really easy and advanced game maker.
Great engine for newbie's and experienced ones(if bored ;P)
It is easy to use and the outcome is great gameplay wise.
Simple old'school graphics.
But i still only give it a 7 because of the limitations of this engine(5 enemies and only a few weapons.)
Anyways, it's a great engine!
its pretty good
So, this game creator is not professional, but in it you can make a full game with enemies, levels and your graphics! For beginning game developers like me, this is a good tool despite its limitations.
This is the best engine for making wolf 3d clones! These guys should be charging for this maker! Amazing work guys thanks for all your hard work!
Baggy an laggy, but very simple to use.