Ive found game maker extremely useful and versatile. It uses variable scripting so you can use the syntax of a lot of different popular programming languages and itll recognize any of it. You can build 3d games with it. It offers both drag and drop programming for the weary of programming as well as scripting for the advanced users. You can put together something like a platformer or a space shooter in very little time. Some people may scoff at using an engine that offers drag and drop programming, or any engine that you dont build from the ground up yourself. But sometimes the game you are developing is about the idea, not about the fancy programming and wasting valuable time coding an engine yourself when game maker will do just fine is silly. Its very supportive of indie developers, as long as you buy the license you can even sell your games without giving any credit to game maker. And many great games have been developed on game maker. Here are some examples many of these www.cactus-soft.co.nr/ and this www.autofish.net/clysm/art/video_games/seiklus/