Game Maker Games

Some time ago I ran across the fabulous Game Maker program by Mark Overmars, and decided that it was the perfect tool to create these games.

Introducing Dark Harvest, an adventure based on the writings of horror master H. P. Lovecraft. As an FBI agent, you journey to a small town in central Wisconsin in search of a missing person, and discover that behind the quiet front of this little community lies a very dark secret... Call Of Cthulhu RPG fans will love this!!

Notes on Demo release 1: This is the first release of the Demo for Dark Harvest. It is simple the introductory chapter of the game, and demonstrates the gameplay itself (the game isn't too scary at this point). I was inspired by a game for SNES in the 90's called Shadowrun, and based the game play on that game. The text box display is based on an old script by Joel Arnott (thank you), and all graphics are mine (Please note I still have character portraits to do for the dialogue boxes). Even though the game will be more of a puzzle-solving adventure, there will be action. I am currently writing the combat and magic scripts, and they should be out in the next demo. I will also be arranging the music and sound effects. I'm always open to suggestions and comments, so fire away. Have fun!

To play: Use the arrow keys to move. You can move in eight directions. approach objects and other characters until you see their names displayed and press space to interact (some items can only be interacted with when approached from a certain angle). When talking to a no-player character, use the arrow keys to select "Ask About" then use them again to scroll to the clue or subject you wish to discuss. Hint: talk to people more then once, especially after you have gathered other clues. Try everything and examine everything. When you are able to leave the motel, you have completed the demo.

Updates: I have updated the demo to correct several bugs as well as to implement some of the suggestions given to me on the Gamemaker forums. The room transitions are now quicker and smoother. You may now pass the opening dialogue. There are two new features that I think add to the game. The first is the addtion of a status screen, accessed by pressing "I". You may view your inventory and status on this screen, select items to use or equip, and get descriptions of your inventory items. You may also use an item by facing the object you want to affect and pressing "U", which will give you a menu of items to use. You may also now choose whether or not to pickup an item or not, which opens up new puzzle possibilities.

Instructions: Windows 98+ with DIRECTX 8 required. Unzip to a new directory and click on the file to play.

Download Dark Harvest

Remember your old Apple computer? If you had one, you most likely remember Silas Warner's incredible Castle Wolfenstein. The game featured ASCII looking graphics and was the world's first talking computer game.

In the game, your mission was to escape from the confines of a Nazi fortress. You could raid supply chests for useful (and not so useful) items like bullets, grenades, and uniforms to sneak past the guards with. The brown-shirted guards and deadly SS stormtroopers goosestepped around the castle, hollering at you in German and trying to catch you. The game was quite addictive, and spawned some of the 3d versions that you see today. I was told some years ago that Mr. Warner was inspired to write the game after seeing The Guns of Navarone...

I killed many, many hours playing that game. Now, over two decades later, I am an amateur game programmer (among other numerous hobbies). Though I originally began my hobby with Macromedia Flash. Some time ago I ran across the fabulous Gamemaker program by Mark Overmars, and decided that it was the perfect tool to create this game.

I have kept what I felt to be all of the best points about the original game, and have added some new ideas of my own, such as the trenchcoat-wearing GESTAPO agents. I am proud to say that all of the graphical elements in the game are mine and will be distributed freely after the final release.

Instructions: Windows 98/XP with DIRECTX 8 required. Unzip to a new directory and click on the file to play. Saved games must stay in the same folder as the .exe file!

Download Castle Wolfenstein Classic