The Games Factory

Editors' ReviewDownload.com staffOctober 13, 2013Once you figure out the interface, you can build professional-looking games with The Games Factory. However, it's a long slog. The program comes with background elements, active objects, and even some animated characters. You can choose to include functions such as the boss key (F5) or instructions (F1), but you can't change key assignments. Neither of the options for the Jump action is the intuitive up arrow. The help is spotty. It refers to the Multimedia Level as the "game level." Also, it says you can include sound files, but it doesn't tell you how. According to the Lectures file we downloaded from the publisher's site, the program imports MIDI soundtracks and WAV samples. Importable image files include PCX, BMP, IFF, RLE, and DIB. The animation editor will bring in existing FLI or FLC files. The trial version lets you build and test a game, but you can't export it as a standalone file or as a Web game. Buying the Home version allows you to distribute games and screensavers for free, whereas the Pro version adds the right to charge for your creations. Aspiring game designers with patience and time might find The Games Factory useful.