Software : DIV Games Studio

Rating: - recommended
Div has its shortcomings(256 colors, DOS and not that fast) but IF you have a DOS\Windows 98 system available it's surely worth trying. It IS easy to learn, since I was capable of making some nice games with it even when I was around 13 with no other programmong excperience. the manual is definately not the size of a bible(pretty small actually) but is very cryptic and hard to understand for someone that has never programmed before. My advice is thus: don't read the manual, but start by editing the sample games, and following some tutorials(Michael Sexton's rpg tutorial for example, google it)
Also it is true that the program doesn't use C or Basic. the programming language is BASED on it, so if you know these languages you will surely recognize some elements from those languages. You CAN however use C to write Dynamic Link Libraries that add new commands to div.

in a nutshell:
Div is a nice language that is easy to understand, a great tool for making 2D games. Learning it will surely help you understanding more complex languages later.

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Rating: - Excellent!
This is undoubtedly an excellent game making package! It includes a complete graphics editor, debugger, and compiler. The person complaining above is an example of somebody who wanted klik n play, instead of the full blown programming language this is. Besides the fact that there is no windows compatibility (DOS only) and only 256 colors max this is one of the best ways to quickly make a 2d game. Perfect if your a retro fan who has the desire to make a game. I started out knowing nothing, and now im programming almost all the time. Great stuff!

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Rating: - waste of time.....
here's some helpful advise: Dont buy DIV Games Studio!!! That may as well be the end of this review. To go into detail, I must warn most of you that the self proclaimed 'easy to use' code is very misleading. To start, you must read a manual the size of the BIBLE in order to understand how to use the code. Judging by the results, you may aswell have shot yourself in the face, its more constructive. The programme doesnt even use C++ or BASIC, which means it definately is not the right piece of kit to use if you want to get into the gaming industry.
avoid.

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Rating: - The easiest thing apart from Klik n' Play!
This piece of software is phenomanol. It can trun someone who never thought thay could make a game, and make him produce games better than those on the snes. I have made games that I enjoy to play, and to share online. Im not a whizz. I started out getting no-where. But once you have read the starting tutorial you will understand how it all comes together. Once you know how to move objects, make them crash into other objects, and shoot, you can slowly add on commands, so you slowly push the potential of the software to its limits. When I loo back on the games I have made at the beginning i think about how I made them and it was easy back then, but how that now I know the commands I could have made them in 5 seconds. This software is very easy to pickup, and has much depth to it. However: dont listen to the official review about the 3D mode. Im afraid the 3D language is very tricky to use, and its not very good. Also it is in dos, BUT you can still make good graphics. Most importantly dont buy it if you expect to be making beat em ups the night you get it. You WILL need to carefully read the manual (or at least the example part of it). In terms of graphics it is at the low end of the spectrum, in terms of ease it is the BEST. However if you have a little more time, or already can program in C++ or anything Basic then just try something more ambition, but has more potential, eg Blitz-3D. The demos of this piece of software are amazing. But in short DIV has ease, not graphics. But dont expect to be making GTA by the night you get it. (expect to be making a crappy shoot em up(which isnt bad for a days work with a programming language!)

I RECOMEND IT!

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Rating: - Genius
Where do I start?

I started using DIV Games Studio 3 months ago. Within 3 weeks I had created my first game.

The programming language is very easy to learn and implement. Even total beginners will soon pick up the basics...

I would have given this 5 stars, but the graphic editor that is provided isn't very good.

If the user has a good graphics package then they will soon be on the road to creating brilliant games, just like me! :)