Game Maker Games (2004 - )

This project started when Mark Overmars, creator of Game Maker, announced he would no longer accept games submitted by users to be showcased on his website. A band of idealistic programmers came together to create a comprehensive database of free Game Maker games that also offered reviews, competitions, and a closer-knit community apart from the official Game Maker forums.

I was recruited to help develop this website during its infancy, in 2004, and it was my first exposure to several web technologies I now use on a daily basis. The website grew from a small, scrappy collection of games to a vast, action-packed personality containing thousands of games and over 10,000 members. At its peak, it contained hundreds of high-quality reviews, and its "official opinion" had merit among the general independent gaming community. It used revenue from advertisements to fund large-scale contests.

Lately, since the Game Maker product has drastically changed its marketing and business strategy, this community has fallen a bit by the wayside. I maintain it, along with a few of the founders, but none of us have the time to really revitalize it. However, I do own a sweatshirt with the GMG Square on the back, which I still wear regularly and is probably the only in existence.