cool tools

Game Platforms
beginner (*) - easy to start, no programming experience & lots of online resources
intermediate (**) - some setup & programming experience recommended
advanced (***) - setup & programming experience required
unknown (?) - have not yet used these tools to evaluate
  • ?  Activate (online) - download GameMaker 8.1 and build games to solve real-world issues
  • **  Alice (PC & Mac) - programming in a 3D environment
  • ?  Code Hero (private beta) - the game that teaches you to make games with a code gun
  • **  GameMaker (PC & Mac) - free and full versions available
  • *** GameSalad (Mac) - web and mobile game creator
  • *  Gamestar Mechanic (online)  - online game creation platform 
  • HeroCloud (PC) - professional game development platform, free for educational use
  • ***  iStencyl Lite (PC & Mac) - web and mobile game creator 
  • *  NetLogo (open source) - programmable modeling environment
  • *  Scratch (open source) - create and share interactive stories, games, music and art
  • **  StarLogo(open source) - programmable 3D modeling environment
  • ?  YoYo Games (online) - download GameMaker 8.1 and start building and sharing games
    Programming Games/Tutorials
    • Codeacademy (online)- learn to code Javascript and earn programming badges
    • hackasaurus (online) - remix, make and share web pages
    • Hackety Hack! (PC & Mac) - learn Ruby programming language
    • happyfuncoding.com (online) - tutorials with practice area for Javascript
    • IamTheCoder.com (online) - collection of programming training videos
    • KidsRuby - fun and make games, or hack your homework using Ruby
    • light-Bot (online) - fun programming game on Kongregate
    • Robo Rally (online) - a robo rally programming game (Examples of Play and then Mini Rally Training Ground)
    • Scratch tutorials (online) - screencast videos and checklists by TechKim
    Image Editing
    Sounds and Editing