Mac Match Game Maker

Posted : admin | On 13-05-2021

Memory Game Maker

  • Memory Game Maker 3.5

    Windows 7, Vista, XP (8.1MB) To install click on the link, select 'Run', and follow the prompts.

  • Memory Game Planner(pdf 26kb)

    A one-page worksheet for students making their own game.

  • Memory Game Clip Art

    (zip 609kb) Ready to use images of common topics. Note: Any image can be used in your games!

Information...


Examples

Matching voice recording to picture

Matching voice recording to text

Matching text to picture

Matching text to text

Matching sound to sound

What is a Memory Game?

Word Match puzzle maker. The Word Match puzzle maker is used to make word matching puzzles. A word match puzzle is one where the user has to match a word (or phrase) to its corresponding phrase. Some common examples are. GameMaker is an easy to use card based development system which allows you to create simple adventure games with graphics, buttons, and text. Just draw the pictures, type some text, click a few.

In this interactive memory game the player must find the matching pairs of cards. To do this click on a card in the top row and then click on a card in the bottom row. If the cards match the cards remain face up. If not, the cards will turn back over and you can try again until all pairs have been found.


Using the Memory Game Maker, you can build your own interactive memory game. You can specify if you want text, pictures or sounds on each row of cards. You can then type in your own text, attach your own pictures or record your own voice. These will appear on the cards in your finished game. You can also customise some other features of the game such as the look of your game and the sound effects used.

When complete, the game is saved on your computer in the location you specify. From here you can copy the game to a disc, memory stick or onto another computer or network to share with others.

You can make games in any language. Any script (for example Arabic or Japanese) that can be typed on your computer can be used.


Skills from LOTE and other domains

When your students make their own multimedia language games, they are practising important skills:

  • they can revise a wide variety of linguistic and cultural concepts
  • they are actively using the language in a fun way
  • thinking about the purpose and audience of their game, and making decisions about the content
  • ICT skills: file management and creation, making voice recordings, sourcing and saving images, understanding different file types

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Game makers are easy to use!
A finished game created with the Memory Game Maker.

Tips for making a good game

  • information used in the pairs needs to be a clear unambiguous match
  • there can only be one possible match for each card. For example: if a picture you use could match two text cards, then the person playing the game won't know which is correct.
  • keep any sound recordings or other sound files short, just a word or short sentence
  • make sure any pictures used do not have too much detail. The cards are fairly small and details will be hard to see.
  • keep text on the cards short - only single words or short sentences
  • If you do use sentences (either text or sound) it is best to use them on the top row of cards. This allows time for those playing the game to read or hear the sentence before the cards turn back over.

Remember that if you make a game and find that some pairs are confusing, you can open the game up in the Game Maker and change the information on the cards.


If you intend to record new sounds you must make sure that:

  • You have a microphone
  • You know where to plug the microphone into the computer
  • The settings on the computer allow sounds to be recorded (the help file for step 8 provides some information about this)

Saving and playing your game

All finished games are saved as a web page with a 'data' folder containing all the resources included in your game. If you like, the Game Maker can package the game folder into a 'zip' file. The two options are described below:

Option 1Option 2

As a web page

This is the default setting. If unsure, use this option. This saves your game and all resources in a new folder with the name and in the location you specify.

When copying this game make sure you copy the whole game folder.

To play game: Open the game folder and click on the web icon.



Pros
  • Easily included as part of an intranet site, website or digital portfolio
  • Easy to open and play
  • Works on PC or Mac
Cons
  • Harder to include in learning Management system
  • harder to email

As a zip file

This option packages all the games resources into a standard zipped folder.

To play game:The files must be 'extracted' first. Operation is then the same as option one.



Pros
  • Ready to add to leanring management system*
  • Easy to email
Cons
  • Player must 'Extract' the zipped files before they can play
  • Can't be included in a website

* Learning Management Systems vary in their operation; in many games can be added by uploading the zipped game folder as a 'resource', and then specifying the webpage inside the zipped folder as the file to open. For example, if including the above zipped game in a Learning Management system the file name for students to view would be 'My Game.html'.

Correcting a mistake in a game

The Game Maker allows you to open and make changes to the content of a Memory game. When you load a game into the Memory Game Maker, you can make the following changes:

  • Change the text on a card
  • Change the picture that appears on a card
  • Change the voice recording or attach a new sound file to a card

NOTE: When you load a game back into the Game Maker, you cannot change the number of cards or the type of information that appears. For example if your game uses pictures on the top row, you cannot change it to use recordings. To do that you need to make a new game.


Installation and operation

Download Game Maker Mac

Intallation

The Memory Game Maker requires the following:

  • Windows 2000, XP or Vista (all require '.net framework 2.0'. This is standard on 'Vista', and common on the other operating systems. If it is not installed on the computer, a prompt will appear allowing the download and installation of the file. It is free.)
  • a sound card
  • screen resolution of at least 800 x 600
  • 256 colours or greater

Installation of software in school systems is often restricted. This may mean that only your IT technician is able to install software. Check with your IT support if you are unsure.

Game Makers must be installed on individual computers. They cannot be run over a network.


Operation

When making a game you can include the following files:

  • Images: BMPs, GIFs, JPEGs, WMFs and PNGs. All images are converted to JPEGs in finished games. Images bigger than the spave provided are automatically resized to fit.
  • Sounds: WAVs or MP3s. Sounds are all converted to MP3s in the finished game. (Note: The Game Maker includes a built in sound recorder that allows you to record and save your own voice recordings).

Finsihed games need and web browser and Flash Player 8 or better to run.

When completed the following files are packaged together:

  • A html file
  • An swf file (the game template)
  • MP3 files (all sounds are converted to MP3)
  • an XML file (containing all the data entered by the user)
  • JPEGs files (all pictures are converted to JPEGs)

Some schools' IT systems prevent students from saving these files. If you have problems it's worth Check with your IT support that students are permited to save these files in their folders on the server. If not, it may be possible to create a new folder without these restrictions where students can save their games.

The default save path for completed games is the users 'My Document' folder. Voice recordings are temporarily saved in the users 'temp' folder. To change these default paths see the Technical Notes page


Download the MSI

MemoryGameMaker3_5.msi< (7.7mb)

Mac Match Game Maker Game


Version history

Version 3.5(released 15th October 2012)
  • bug that caused a message box about image conversion to appear on some systems fixed
  • Pinyin tones added to accent key panel
Version 3.4(released 20th April 2012)
  • bug with image conversion fixed
Version 3.3(released 2nd April 2012)
  • bug that prevented sound recording on XP fixed
  • bug with 12 and 18 pair games fixed
Version 3.2
  • Windows 7 version
  • Game can no longer be saved as EXE files
  • XML files now saved as UTF-8 making games compatible with more web server
Version 3.1
  • Bug that stopped game maker running on some computers resolved
  • Bug that stopped game maker saving as exe or zip file on some computers fixed
Version 3.0

Complete rebuild to ensure operation is consistent with other game makers

  • Improved save process allows easier navigation to common locations
  • No file name required when saving new sound recording
  • Panel with accented characters added
  • Games can now be saved as a HTML file, exe file (Self executing zip) or standard zip file
  • Shortcut to audio control panels now works in Vista
  • PNG images can now be included in games
Version 2.2
  • Bug fixed which caused runtime error when loading a finished game back into the Game Makers
Version 2.1
  • Path notation in XML corrected enabling completed games to be played on Macs
  • Bug fixed enabling MP3 files to be attached to the bottom row of cards
Version 2.0Mac
  • Games can now be saved as a web page (html) or a program file (exe).
  • Image can now be BMPs, GIFs, WMFs or JPEGs.
  • The font size of the text that appears on the cards can be changed.
  • A short cut to the 'Playback Volume' and 'Record level' panels has been included.

Further Information and help

Each step of the Game Maker has a detailed 'Help' page. Click on the 'Help' button in the top right hand corner to view the page.

For futher assistance contact the Languages Online Team (languages.online@edumail.vic.gov.au)


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