Recommendations

• Git LFS
• Aseprite
• Git LFS
• Aseprite's source code

• GameMaker Manual
• GameMaker Release Notes
• GameMaker Marketplace
• Beginner GameMaker Tutorials - Tutorials from Shaun Spalding. A comprehensive introduction to basic features of the IDE. Highly recommended to check out the full playlist if you're a complete beginner. 
• Advanced GameMaker Tutorials - Tutorials from DragoniteSpam that dive into more advanced topics related to the GML language. They also have comprehensive 3D and shader introduction videos. 
• Beginner GameMaker Tutorials - Tutorials from Shaun Spalding. A comprehensive introduction to basic features of the IDE. Highly recommended to check out the full playlist if you're a complete beginner. 
• Advanced GameMaker Tutorials - Tutorials from DragoniteSpam that dive into more advanced topics related to the GML language. They also have comprehensive 3D and shader introduction videos. 

Recommendations

• gm-core - Foundational utility suite and a great starting point for new GameMaker projects. Comes with quality of life methods, networking tools, testing framework, delta timing, and more.
• Stitch - Pipeline Development Kit. Includes cross-project imports, batch-creating/updating sprites and sounds, texture page management, and more. Tested on Windows only.
• wTimer - Robust alternative for alarms.
• EventGML - Lightweight and fast Node.js style Events Library.
• Twerp - Easing function similar to lerp().
• Trixscript - Juices up your game with useful functions.
• Motion Scripts - Provides replacement methods for built-in motion variables.
• zlib functions - Simple compression/decompression functions.
• Window Taskbar - Windows only. Flash the game window border and/or its taskbar button.
• Extension Collection - A suite of various extensions.
• YYP Maker - Makes `.yyp` files for you.
• FAST - Flexible Assistant Toolkit. Similar to gm-core but comes with input and resolution handling.
• DDDEditor - General purpose game editor.
• handytools - A collection of Juju's libraries in one convenient project.
• GameMaker Scaffolding - Another cool all-encompassing template with a focus on building low-res, tile-based games.
• Iota - Lightweight timestep library.
• Stopwatch - GameMaker alarm replacement.
• FrogAlarm - Another easy alternative to GameMaker alarms.
• fuwafuwa - Easy-to-use timer system.
• Timer - Timer methods based on setTimeout and setInterval from JS.
• Broadcast - Event handling library.
• Polarca - Interpolation functions.
• Coroutines - Asynchronous functions for GameMaker.
• GML-OOP - A constructor library for operating the primary functionalities of GameMaker.
• GML-Classes - Another project that adds OOP functionality to GameMaker.
• Map - Hash table implementations.
• Matrices - A collection of matrix handling scripts.
• gm-stream - Data structure manipulation.
• Promises - An adaptation of JavaScript Promises.
• Destructors - Allows you to use ds_* types such as lists and maps inside of structs.
• SNAP - Easy data format saving and loading. Please note that newer versions of GameMaker contain `json_parse` and `json_stringify`. However, if you are converting csv, ini, xml, etc, you may find this very useful.
• Dynamo - Dynamic data loader.
• LWO - Lightweight objects using structs.
• Gumshoe - Simple deep file search function.
• Lock And Key - String and file encryption.
• Mathematical Scripts - A collection of math scripts.
• Seedpod - A collection of scripts to improve the GML programming experience.
• CoreExtension - A collection of CC0 programming libraries. (archived)
• Voxeledphoton's FreeGMScripts - Additional GML helper functions. Some may be out of date with 2.3+ syntax.
• ForEach - Adds a foreach implementation for arrays, ds_lists, ds_maps, ds_stacks, ds_queues, ds_priorities and structs.
• DeepCopy - Deep clone class instances / constructed structs, anonymous structs and arrays nested in any order!
• Cottonwool - Safe surfaces without memory leaks.
• Canvas - Another great solution for surface management.
• GMSDLL - A template project for building DLLs for GameMaker.
• GMLodash - Functional programming in GML.
• Autoframer - Automatically handles resizing the game view across different display and window sizes.
• gameframe - Custom window caption and border for Windows.
• GMEdit - Code editor to use in conjunction with GameMaker.
• Rubber - Compile GameMaker projects via the command line. Here's a [great guide](https://www.patreon.com/posts/how-to-build-36556955) on how to use it.
• gml-highscorer - Highscore and trophy system.
• SSave - Simple file saving system.
• GMD3D11 - A DLL for interfacing with Windows Direct3D.
• GMTimeLine - A pure code alternative to GameMaker timelines.
• Catspeak - Cross-platform programming language for modding support.
• GMBenchmark - A tool to benchmark GML code.
• Agenda - Schedule and delay the execution of callbacks.
• Airkiver - Game file archive tool.
• OKColor - An okay color manager for implementing OKLab/OKLCH colors.
• Exception - A base class for custom exceptions.
• ArrayList - The most complete list class. Garbage collected, fast sort function, [] accessor and referencing as an array.
• GM Sysinfo - Cross-platform extension for getting system information and resource usage.
• GML+ - A script collection with a goal to "fill the gaps" in GML. 💸
• GMSnip - Experimental tool to define unlimited code snippets in the IDE.
• GMLive - Livecoding / interactive programming. 💸

Recommendations

• DeerLog - Small log writer.
• FPS Speedometer - Pretty framerate display.
• rt-shell - Easy to use in-game shell. Create your own commands, command meta data, command suggestions, history, etc.
• Olympus - Testing Framework.
• Crispy - Unit testing in GameMaker.
• Snitch - Crash and logging system.
• gms2-test - Unit testing framework.
• Meta - Runtime asset inspector.
• Duck - A fast GML analyzer to enforce code styling and detect errors.
• Gobo - An opinionated code formatter for GML.
• Inspectron - A fluent API for easily creating GameMaker debug views.

Recommendations

• XeroInput - Another library to handle multiple inputs for a single action.
• Input - No nonsense gamepad/keyboard library.
• InputCandy - Similar to Input as it acts as a wrapper for SDL, but also provides testing, on-screen diagnostics, and some other UI components related to peripherals.
• Good Vibes - Device vibration.
• Mouse Queue - Tracks the Windows mouse pointer with high precision.
• Native Cursors - System-level custom cursors. 💸

Recommendations

• Scripture - Another easy to use, highly compatible text renderer.
• Easy And Fast Menu - Simple implementation to have a menu up and running in seconds. Seems like a great fit if you're not looking for a bigger solution like GMUI.
• Pause Menu - Another smaller implementation but has a cool animation between menu options.
• Magpie - Generic Inventory System.
• ImGuiGML - DLL/GML wrapper of Dear ImGui.
• GUI Framework - GUI implementation from Niris Games.
• Menu Tutorial - FriendlyCosmonaut. 
• Smart Clickable GUI - Pixelated Pope. 
• RTS Selection Tool - Mouse dragging feature to select pawns in an real-time strategy game.
• gooey - Sprite-based UI Library for GameMaker LTS.
• Menu Tutorial - FriendlyCosmonaut. 
• Scribble - Efficient multi-effects text renderer.
• Chatterbox - Narrative scripting tool.
• Textboxy - Simple textboxes.
• Crochet - An interactive dialogue editor for writers and programmers.
• NotificationSystem - Notifications in GameMaker.
• YUI - A UI system with live reloading, template system, data binding, and a drag and drop feature.
• Guido - Simple immediate mode GUI framework.
• GMUI-Framework - A pure GML solution to structure and control your menus, drawing parallels to .NET UI.
• GMS2-UI-Library - A Library Full of useful scripts for implementing your UI designs in GameMaker.
• Emu UI - Common UI elements (text input, checkboxes, radio buttons, dialog boxes, etc).
• zitk - Another interesting, Dear ImGui-inspired GUI toolkit. In development, but worth keeping an eye on.
• SimpleUI - Minimalistic UI framework.

Recommendations

• On Slopes and Grids - A tutorial to implement 45° slopes.
• GMS2 Platforming System - GameMaker implementation by Ben Allen and an expansion on Shaun Spalding's original 1.4 platformer tutorial.
• Verlet Integration Library - Verlet integration by Sarek Lambert.
• Top-Down Movement & Collision - Robust object-based collision system from Pixelated Pope.
• On Slopes and Grids - A tutorial to implement 45° slopes.
• Loj Hadron Collider - A robust, pixel-perfect collision engine.
• Inverse Kinematics Extension - A library for working with inverse kinematics.
• GMVerlet-Integration - Verlet integration example used for visuals.

Recommendations

• ASESync - Automatically syncs aesprite files in GameMaker.
• AESnips - A sprite playback system.
• phgen - Placeholder asset generation.
• Disarm - A spriter skeletal animation at runtime.
• PixelUpscaler - Pixel art upscaling shader for awkward resolutions for GameMaker.
• conveyorbelt - Similar to ASESync. Export Aesprite files to GameMaker sprites.
• Collage - Texture page builder and image manager. Mimics GameMaker's texture page packing while offering higher flexibility.
• Spritely - Image correction and cleanup for 2D video game sprites.

Recommendations

• Echo/Delay Effect - Optimized delay effect. 💸
• FML - GameMaker bindings for the FMOD Studio API.
• FMODGMS - This doesn't support everything FMOD has to offer and the project itself has been put on-hold.
• wavload - Demonstrates how to externally load .wav files.
• audioExt - Sound External Loader/Unloader Manager.
• ExternalAudio - Load external .wav files at runtime.
• Phonix - Compact audio system. Great for dynamic music!
• Vinyl - Live updating audio system.
• LineAudio - Audio helper functions.
• Bard - An engine for desiging and implementing good audio in GameMaker. Updated to make use of the more recent GameMaker audio effects.

Recommendations

• LDtk to GMS - LDtk Importer.
• Wave Function Collapse - Generates a random tile map but not production ready in its current state.
• Draw A Dungeon - Converts your room layouts into a randomized dungeon.
• Cellular Automata Caves - Generates huge caves in a few hundred milliseconds.
• LDtkParser - Advanced LDtk Importer.
• Room Data Inspector - Collects room data and stores it into a JSON for later use.
• Random Dungeon Generator - Combines user-defined chambers to create a dungeon.
• Random Level Generator - A random level generation example (similar to Nuclear Throne) using GameMaker.
• Destructible Terrain - An example of collidable, destructible terrain in GameMaker Studio using surfaces and grids.

Recommendations

• Particle Editor - Create particles with an easy UI and export into GML code.
• Advanced Particles - A particle implementation that comes with it's own delta timing methods.
• Particles Wrapper - A simplistic particle system wrapper that is designed to make creating particles fun and easy.
• Pulse - A library to create more complex particle emitters, systems and particles.
• Burrn - Built-in particle system that uses the particle asset built into the IDE.

Recommendations

• Lighting Systems - Very fast dynamic 2D lighting implementation from GrizzliusMaximus using shadow casting. 
• Bulb - 2D lighting and shadows.
• Lighting System 2D - Requires GameMaker 2.2+ according to the repo.
• GameMaker Lighting Engine - Tile-based Lighting Engine that projects shadows.
• Lighting Systems - Very fast dynamic 2D lighting implementation from GrizzliusMaximus using shadow casting. 

Recommendations

• TransFX - Transition Library.
• BJRTFX - Zik's CRT Utility Shader.
• bktGlitch - Glitch shader.
• H O R R I - F I - VHS Shader.
• Cyberpunk Hologram Effect - Create and customize your own holographic effect using this easy-to-implement asset.
• Depth Sorted Sillouettes - Example project to demonstrate shader-based depth sorting sillouettes. Tested on PC, Mac, HTML5, and Android.
• GMShaders.com - Shader tutorials from Xor. Originally hosted at "xorshaders.com".
• 1PassBlur - Blur Shader with adjustable radius.
• Bokeh Blur - Extension of the 1PassBlur which provides a different look. Similar to a real lens blur. Although it's much slower than 1Pass or Dual-Kawase.
• Dual-Kawase - Blur Shader that limits radius but is very efficient.
• Xor's Halftone - A wonderful, versitile halftone shader. Lots of tweakable settings.
• Fire-Fun - Some fun magic fireballs.
• Jump Flooding - Jump Flooding Algorithm for GameMaker made with shaders.
• Shader Tutorials - Gaming Reverends. 
• Shader Tutorials - DragoniteSpam. 
• Shader Tutorials - Gaming Reverends. 
• Shader Tutorials - DragoniteSpam. 
• Voronoi - Sampled pixels on a Voronoi diagram.
• Outline Shader - Outline shader.
• Chameleon - Palette Swapper.
• Xpanda - Include code from external files in your shaders.
• Shadertoy to GameMaker - Convert shadertoy.com GLSL shaders to run in GameMaker.
• Post-Processing FX - 50+ high-quality, customizable effects. 💸

Recommendations

• ColMesh - 3D Collision Library from TheSnidr.
• BSP 4 GMS - Import BSP files into GameMaker. Currently just a demo but worth keeping an eye on.
• Camera3D - Simple 3D camera setup.
• Blender to GameMaker - A collection of scripts to export and import Blender models to and from GameMaker.
• Penguin - 3D model conversion tool.
• sPart - 3D Particle System from TheSnidr.
• Terrain Editor - Terrain editor. Exports to gm models, obj, or vertex buffers.
• Snowy Snow - 3D Snow Shader.
• 3D GameMaker Playlist - DragoniteSpam. 
• 3D Collisions Playlist - DragoniteSpam. 
• 3D Optimization Playlist - DragoniteSpam. 
• ColMesh - 3D Collision Library from TheSnidr.
• 3D GameMaker Playlist - DragoniteSpam. 
• 3D Collisions Playlist - DragoniteSpam. 
• 3D Optimization Playlist - DragoniteSpam. 
• 3D-2D - Official tool to turn 3D models into 2D sprites.
• BBMOD - 3D Rendering Solution. Comes with several modules to import obj, 3D camera setup, integration with ColMesh, and more.
• dotobj - Lightweight .obj/.mtl 3D model loader written in native GML.
• Bronze Box - Example of how to build 3D world models from a 2D grid.
• DmrVBM - Import/Export tools to load vertex buffer data out of Blender and into GMS.
• Three Mice In a Trench Coat - Source for a GameMaker 3D game.
• Cardboard - Isometric 3D Renderer.
• 3D Fragment Point Lights - 3D point lights using shaders. 💸

Recommendations

• Beginners Guide to Sprite Stacking - A primer on sprite stacking from Avis. Check out part 2 from dev_dwarf as well.
• Fauxton3D - Sprite stacking engine.
• Sprite Stacking Tutorials - Gizmo199. 
• Sprite Stacking Tutorials - Gizmo199. 

Recommendations

• EZ Networking - Host/client implementation with a chat feature.
• GMHandshake - A Gist demonstrating a network handshake.
• Multiplayer Networking Tutorial - Wizirdi. 
• Good GameMaker Rollback - Rollback netcode library.
• Multiplayer Networking Tutorial - Wizirdi. 
• Warp - A feature-rich framework for multiplayer games, written in GameMaker and Node.js.
• Patchwire-GM - The network library from gm-core if you want to use this implementation without the entire gm-core suite.
• HTTP GML - Recieve GET requests and upload files in GML.
• GMNest - Socket.IO extension for HTML5 games.
• MultiClient - Non-dll, multiple client launcher for network development.
• GM Networking - Very simple network code demonstration.
• Boomers Networking - Network library which mimics pre-GM:Studio favorite networking extension 39dll using GM native functions.

Recommendations

• NekoPresence - Oops, all Discord integration.
• DHook - Discord integration.
• GMS2_RPC - Another Discord integration.
• Steamworks.gml - Various expansions to Steamworks SDK support in GameMaker: Studio.
• Parworks - Additional functionality for the YYG Steamworks extension.
• GOG.gml - A native extension for GOG.com SDK support.
• GMTwitch - Twitch integration.

Recommendations

• GameMaker Cameras: As Simple as Possible - Pixelated Pope's guide on GameMaker's camera system. 
• Camera System Guide - Getting started with cameras in GameMaker.
• Dynamic Splitscreen - Local multiplayer split screen implementation that merges the camera when players are close.
• Camera All-In-One - Editor, screenshake, view-resizing, follow modes, screen effects, etc. 💸
• Pixel Perfect Smooth Camera - An example of pixel-perfect yet smooth camera.
• STANNcam - Camera and resolution manager.

Recommendations

• Sequences Tutorial - Shaun Spalding. 
• Making Splash Screen Sequences - Mash Arcade. 
• DuplicateSequence - Make a deep copy of sequence assets/structs for editing at runtime.

Recommendations

• wFSM - Another Easy-to-use Finite State Machine library.
• True State - Feature-rich finite state machine to handle complex objects.
• SnowState - Robust finite state machine.
• FastSM - Lightweight alternative to SnowState.
• Pinocchio - State-based animation system.
• BehaviorTree - A simple behavior tree system.
• FSM AI - Finite state machine for NPC AI.

Recommendations

• Aquila - A* Pathfinding implementation.
• Grid-based Pathfinding Scripts - Flexible pathfinding system with 3 different algorithms.
• A-Star-Pathing - Another A* pathfinding implementation.
• Pathfinding in graph - Shortest pathfinding system in (weighted) graph, using Dijkstra algorithm.

Recommendations

• Video Player Extension - Play videos. However, the latest version of GMS has video support.
• GMESCAPI - Webcam capture.
• Smile - Sentiment analysis.
• Mouse Trail Effect - Shows how to trace a line with primitives to create a colorful trail.
• GMLScripts.com - Dozens of helper scripts, organized similarly to the official documentation.
• GM48 Resources - Free resources from the community to become better at GameMaker Studio, game development and game jams.
• GameMakerHow - Another great site that acts as a GameMaker Q&A repository for various questions you might ask in GameMaker.
• obj_podcast - Gamedev-centered podcast featuring members of the GameMaker community.
• 2.3 Syntax in Detail - A full guide of the syntax features/changes in GML from Yal.
• GameMaker Garbage Collection - How garbage collection works in GML.
• GitHub Yacc to GML Fix - Tell GitHub your repo is all GML, not Yacc.
• GameMaker Discord Community GitHub - Have you made a gamemaker tool you want to share? Consider submitting it to the official Discord's GitHub.
• Source Control with Git & GameMaker - FriendlyCosmonaut. 
• Game Resolution & Aspect Ratio Management - Pixelated Pope. 
• Setting up a Virtual Machine for GameMaker - MicahTheManiac. 
• Making Attacks Feel Good - Blobfish. 
• List of GameMaker Games - A list of published Steam games using GameMaker.
• Rousr Release - Unmaintained projects from the Rousr team (in case anyone asks where OutsideTheBox/Dissonance went).
• Video Player Extension - Play videos. However, the latest version of GMS has video support.
• GM48 Resources - Free resources from the community to become better at GameMaker Studio, game development and game jams.
• Source Control with Git & GameMaker - FriendlyCosmonaut. 
• Game Resolution & Aspect Ratio Management - Pixelated Pope. 
• Animated Flag - Vertex-animated flag.
• Danmaku Project - Bullet hell engine.
• OrbinautFramework - Accurate framework to make classic Sonic games.
• Starfield Generator - A script to generate starfields in GameMaker's GML language.
• CleanShapes - Antialiased primitives library for GameMaker.
• Dracula Theme - A dark theme for the IDE.
• Gruvbox Theme - A retro groove theme for the IDE.
• GameMaker Repo Badges - Fancy badges to add to your README files.
• vim-GML - High quality Vim syntax highlighting for GameMaker.
• Tome - Automatically generate documentation sites from GameMaker projects.
• Piano example - Example of playing intrument notes by changing pitch, using only one audio file.
• Compatibility scripts - Scripts that are used by GM when importing GM:S 1.4 projects, taken directly from runtime files.
• Pause example - Simple example of a pause screen without using surfaces.
• GameMaker Kitchen - Another great resource for open source libraries, assets, and snippets.
• Build Automation, CI/CD - Tutorial on using GitHub Actions as a CI/CD pipeline to automate building games.

Recommendations

• RefresherTowel - Contains several posts on level generation.
• Tony Str - Some great articles on working with JSON, regular expressions *(regex)*, and drawing circles in GML.
• Katsaii - Some articles on more advanced GML topics.
• Meseta on Game Dev - Seasoned GameMaker dev's thoughts on GameMaker concepts and libraries.
• Thoughts On GameMaker - Not a traditional blog but has great info on different GML techniques.
• ApathyHill - Some articles on GameMaker 3D, noise, sprite trails, and a few others.
• Tony Str - Some great articles on working with JSON, regular expressions *(regex)*, and drawing circles in GML.

Recommendations

• Jordan Guillou - Hobbyist indie dev with a few GameMaker-related tutorials.
• DragoniteSpam - Covers highly technical elements of GameMaker with a focus on 3D.
• Shaun Spalding - Previous community manager at YoYo Games. Has a wide variety of beginner-friendly GameMaker tutorials and helpful updates on new GameMaker features.
• FriendlyCosmonaut - Great playlist on building a farming RPG in GameMaker with several other tutorials.
• Pixelated Pope - Guides on GameMaker resolution management, cameras, GUI, and more.
• Xor - Tons of shader demonstrations with a focus on 3D.
• GamingEngineer - A GameMaker developer that has been in the community for many years. They have a wide variety videos showcasing what GameMaker is capable of, with a focus on 3D.
• TheSnidr - A lot of awesome 3D showcases and tutorials for GameMaker.
• Peyton Burnham - GameMaker tutorials for top-down shooters and RPGs.
• Gaming Reverends - If you want to learn foundational material regarding GameMaker shaders, the "Shaders for Hobby-Programmers" playlist is definitely worth checking out.
• Let's Learn This Together - Small indie dev company with a focus on providing GameMaker guides.
• Matharoo - Tons of free GameMaker tutorials and news about GameMaker.
• GravityShift Games - A couple of genre-specific GameMaker tutorials, integrating databases into GameMaker, and more.
• Slyddar - A channel dedicated to both DnD and GML tutorials.
• SamSpadeGameDev - In-depth coding tutorials for the hobbyist game maker.
• gentoo's iceberg Playlist - Series based on iceberg to display advanced programming ideas in GameMaker.
• gentoo's iceberg Playlist - Series based on iceberg to display advanced programming ideas in GameMaker.

Recommendations

• ![GameMaker Forums
• ![Reddit
• ![Discord

Recommendations

• Awesome Gamedev
• GameMaker Libraries
• Awesome Gamedev

Recommendations

• polyglot - Localization library.
• gm-i18n - Internationalization of texts simply and quickly, using JSON files.
• lexicon - Another localization solution focused on simplifying implementation.
• GMLocalize - Not a full localization solution. Extracts text strings for localization from a GameMaker Studio 2 project and saves it to a JSON file.
• Small Pentapop Localization Tool - Similar export tool to GMLocalize but exports to a csv.
• gms2-mofile - Mofile reader used for localization.