This program gives me the power as a beginner to make an app like a pro.

Not only for a beginner but also for a pro this App game kit 2 wil be easy to use.

Great forum with plenty of help.

So if you know basics and want to start programming for apps, this is the right program.

(I also like the AGK2 app player for testing on android)

This was a whole lot of fun, in only a handful of hours I was able to build a Boulderdash clone. AGK2 is clearly a very capable package and I only touched the surface of it, but enough to get a feel for its power. As a developer I cut my teeth on STOS and AMOS twenty five years ago and AGK2 felt very reminiscent of that. Not surprising given the studios heritage.

Highly recommended if you want to learn programming or want to work in an environment that makes experimentation super each. For sure, there's plenty of room to grow and stretch, just do a quick search on the internet.

I spent a lot of time with this tool over the last few weeks (for me anyway), before I decided to do my first review as I felt it was worth it

AGK is pretty quick and easy to learn and it brings the fun for me in to game dev by quickly letting you see your results, this is particulary true with with it's BASIC type language. If you feel like doing more complex codeing (and it's probably faster compiled code) you can move on to the C++ of Tier2 for free (it's included). Primarily designed to let you create games quickly and only be limited by your programming abiliies.

It has great 2D support and limited 3D support (which will be improving), so you can create everything from a platform game through to a orthographic RTS or a simple FPS, all of which you can deploy to many different plaforms (iPad, Android, PC, Mac) .

It does require a desire to learn programming, but the BASIC style language you can use makes it a great tool to learn how to program and the community is really helpful both here in Steam and on the TGC forums. once you are comfortable with you prgramming skills you can easily move on to C++.

A little background for context: I have been coding for 30 years in a wide variety of languages and using AGK, and more recently AGK2, for a couple of years now.

So let's clear something up straight away, despite the name AGK isn't just for creating mobile style apps, it can create anything you want on a multitude of platforms. Your imagination is the only real limit.

If you're a beginner or just prefer it then you can code in good old BASIC, or like me you might prefer to use C++ and the added flexibility that brings. Whichever you choose the comprehensive list of commands and features within AGK2 are identical (all explained well in the supporting help files).

In today's constantly changing market no language can afford to stand still and the developers at The Game Creators have realised that too. They are always listening, with feature requests, updates and bug fixes dealt with promptly and the AGK user community are always consulted on any major decisions. It's a language whose future we can all help shape.

The one area I was initially skeptical of was the claim that you could "code once and deploy easily to multiple mobile & desktop platforms". Surely some platform specific changes would be required? Well no, once you have your development environment setup it really does do what it claims. PC, Mac, iOS, Android, OUYA etc. it works. Want to develop for the iPhone but don't want to deal with Object-C? No problem, with user-friendly AGK2 you'll never see a line of Obj-C code.

AGK2 is already a great language to work with, The Game Creators plans for the future are exciting (advanced 3D, extra platform support etc.) and the current price really is unbelievable.

If you're a developer, whether an absolute beginner or experienced, I recommend you look at AGK2.

AGK2 isn't prefect and I can tell you it's a waste of time to compare it with Unity or UE4. For one they are two different animals.

One of the biggest's question is ..... *drum roll* ... Yes!, you do need a bit of programming understanding/knowledge and if you don't then I'd suggest trying out http://www.codecademy.com/ and see if you seems to understand it then look into learning AGK Basic.

Pros:
- AGK Basic! (If you have never programmed before in your life and wish to try out programming then this is a great start)
- C++ Support (I'm a C++ fan)
- Visual Studios Community/2013 template support
- Lots of AGK Basic example projects (I was a bit shocked by this)
- Has an interesting stream app so you can see it on things like on mobile without having to upload it to the device.
- It's a library and not an engine editor like Unity (I think this is a pro because I'm not weighed down by stuff I don't need)
- Multiplayer support (Basic support but since you can use C++ you can add a different one)
- You can make apps and games (It's a library so you have total control)
- it's very cheap for a full library that is easy to pick up and go
- Cross Platform Support for games (Windows, Mac, IOS, Android, Linux)


Cons:
- I think it lacks on the documentation side (It could use more I think)
- It's a library (yes this is a con too because it's a lot harder to pick up compare to like Unity but once you do it's so worth it)
- Without looking stuff up, it can be a bit overwelming to get started. (Well what isn't?)
- No level editors (Well it's not an engine editor so this is excepted, It's not Unity)
- No Linux Editor

Here is the Documentation: http://www.appgamekit.com/documentation/home.html

If you are intrested in this then I'd say try out the demo on steam or their web site.


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You may think I'm bias but it is harder to find cons with a library then an editor. Only things a library can do wrong is not have a certain command not implemented. The rest is up to you to build. It's true I've nevered like Unity or UE4 but that is because I do prefer Libraries like SFML or SDL and this is just something else that is fun to play with and see what I can make.

AGK is a great software for the beginning coder, home dev, indie dev and also for those who want to use c++.
The great thing about it is it´s two tiers. This means that you can begin to code in agks powerful and easy basic, and later switch to c++ or xCode and use the agk library inside those. This is a fantastic Idea and a great way to have a software that follows your own progression as a coder.

But the basic is very powerful in itself. If you are a starting programmer you have a lot of power in your hands. But you have to write code. This is not a drag and drop enviroment. But this is a very good thing. You will actually start to learn proper coding in a fun way. The syntax is really easy to get into and it gives you instant results.

I have used a lot of development enviroments like this and AGK takes me back to the good old days of AMOS on the amiga. With today´s power. Higly recommended and fun coding.

This is the products I own and have used before :
Game maker
Construct2
Blitz Basic
Darkbasic Pro
Amos
Livecode

I like to add that I´ve been using AGK since 2012 and followed it´s progression from version 1.

I've really enjoyed using App Game kit and have created a number of published products using it. It may seem a little daunting at first but once you read through the examples and experiment with a few lines of code it all makes sense. You can learn the areas that you want to focus on to start with and it’s a quick way of realising your ideas on a number of platforms. I have struggled with other languages and have found the learning curve incredibly high and I guess AGK brought me back to my childhood in many ways to when I was 9 coding on a Sinclair spectrum. I say this because you can get visual results quickly and easily which is very rewarding. AGK is also a great way for kids to start programming and it’ll encourage them to learn new techniques and explore their ideas further. Why shouldn’t you make the games you always dreamed of playing? So, if you want to make games at an affordable cost and publish them easily on a number of app stores / platforms then I recommend AGK.

I've been using the Game Creators' products since the original Dark Basic, purely as a hobbyist. AGK2 is their strongest release yet. Whether you're just planning to make little hobby games with your kids, make prototypes of more robust game experiences, or launch your own mobile app, AGK2 will make it easy.

I tell you what, nothing makes your little developer's eyes light up like hitting deploy so they can play their game on your cell phone just minutes into development. For that alone, AGK2 is priceless.

We can't recommend AGK highly enough. We've released 4 games for iOS, Android & Mac and had 100K downloads. Version 2 has brought some great new features, the awesome ability to broadcast the app to the device has always been there, but now you can create IPA and APK files directly from the IDE. The fact that I never need to go near XCODE again is enought to make me buy this for twice the price.

Jonathan Dunn.
www.fatleg.co.uk

The App Game Kit makes developing games and apps for multiple platforms very easy. I use its built in Basic language to create one codebase that I can export to multiple platform such as IOS, Android, and BlackBerry 10 in minutes. Also its broadcast feature is great for deploying apps for testing to multiple devices at the same time using WIFI.

AGK is a fantastic kit for developing games for people who love programming! I have been using AGK since version 1 was launched and even worked as an AGK developer full time for TGC. You can program in 'Basic' using commands like 'PlaySound' or in C++ for more experienced programmers who want more control. You can export directly to Android and iOS (on the Mac version). 3D commands including Bullet Physics are on the way but the 2D commands are amazing and it's possible to produce the highest quality 2D games right now. I can't recommend AGK highly enough for anyone with an interest in making their own game.

For cheap, easy, multi-platform game making from a company with the BEST and most helpful community I've ever come across on the internet you will not be disappointed.

Before using TGC's game making software I had very little software development experience. Now I'm a professional software developer and have released many titles thanks to AGK for the most part.

Don't be shy, join us...

In the beginning computer programming was restricted to an elite of scientists and mathematicians then, created in 1964, there was BASIC (Beginner's All-purpose Symbolic Instruction Code), popularized in the late 1970s and became almost ubiquitous with home computers of the 1980s. Designed from the start to be easy to learn, it is a high level computer language, meaning it reads, almost like the English language.

e.g. Print("Hello World") - will print Hello World on your screen.

Basic Continued to evolve during the 1990s with the likes of AMOS and into 2000 with languages like Dark Basic. In the 2010s, with the explosion of mobile devices, BASIC has again evolved to meet demand and AGK was born.


AGK2 can be used 2 ways -

1) As a BASIC scripting language. This is a fully featured, standalone solution for people who want to program.

2) As libraries for C++. This extends the power and simplicity of AGK to people who prefer to use C++.

The basic language has a plethora of powerful features supporting 2D and 3D game and APP development. These include a 2D physics engine, Shader support for both 2D and 3D, access to Sensors like GPS and Gyro meters, Joy pad support, HTTP, Multiplayer, Video, Particles, and much more.

AGK2 compiles finished, ready to install packages for Android, IOS, Blackberry, Windows and Apple Mac. It is then up to you how to use those packages either for personal programs to release the potential in your device or to make money at any or all of the various app stores (e.g. Google play, Amazon, Apple, OUYA).

The unrivalled level of personal support offered by The Game Creators and their very active community is amazing. AGK2 is still undergoing development and has frequent updates and the developers listen to the community new feature requests. The best just gets better.

Overall - 10/10 want to program that device in your pocket, or the one you are reading this on ? Then GET AGK2 NOW and unleash the power of your devices and perhaps even make some money.

Want to be a game developer? This is a great place to start. It is easy to learn and very powerful. I been using it since AGK1. Now it is the only graphic library I will use in my c++ programming. It is also being updated with more features all the time. I highly recommend this for anyone wanting to start learning programming or for advanced c++ programmers who want to cross platform their programs.

As a long time programmer (Since 1981) I can thoroughly recommend AGK! I've been using The Game Creators' products since the beginning and was never disappointed at their work. Updates and upgrades have been coming in steadily and the support from either them or the community attached to AGK was awesome. It's great for someone starting to program or old farts like me that want to easily extend to developing for those fancy new devices called 'smart phones'. Thumbs up for AGK2!

I am an hobbyst developer. In one year I have published 8 apps on Google Play, using the built-in powerful BASIC. Each app features from 500 to 8000 lines of code. The apps span from educational software to arcade, puzzle and action games. The compiler is really fast (few seconds to compile the biggest project). The number of commands is the largest I have ever seen, including 2D/3D graphics, Box2D physics, sensors, input including touch, keys, gestures, controllers, and so on. IDE is based on Geany, and is really powerful, with command completion features. Testing is easier than having a coffee in the morning: you broadcast by WiFi the app to your preferred device (Android, iOS, PC, BlackBerry, Mac etc) and instantly you have your app live and running. Last but not least, the local export to APK on PC or IPA on MAC is really useful. For sure, if you love to create apps, especially games and educational rapidly, easily, with tons of features, a growing community of developers and supporters that will help you...well AGK is to be seriously considered...and it is the cheapest tool too. And if you are an advanced C++ programmer, AGK comes with equivalent C++ API that will allow you to exploit the best of AGK in addition to be able to use native OS or 3rd party libraries.

I got this mostly for my kid.. but that is not saying it can't be used professionally. It most certainly can, and is. It is powerful, and can create pretty much anything you can imagine. It is fast, and because it offers byte code (via the build in BASIC language) its iteration time is stunningly short. You change a line, and the time it takes to click the run button is the time it takes to begin seeing the results of what you just did. So if you want to prototype things, it is excellent. But like I initially stated, I got this mostly for my kid.. because the BASIC language is proving to be just as effective an entry to programming as it was for me way back with the VIC20. And having compile time that is as immediate as it was back then, does matter. The kid is much more interested in doing things when the feedback of what is done so immediate. I think this tool is very valuable when it comes to spark the interest of programming into kids. But like I said, it is a professional tool, and is used as such. But for me, the main focus was the spark it gave my kid.

Great product overall. In my opinion one of the best tools to get started with game development.

If you programmed with Dark Basic or Blitz Basic back in the day you'll be right at home with this. Exporting APK's couldn't be easier. Great language to develop with!

I've been coding for many years one way or another from my early Amiga days, and AGK is one of the best cross platform development languages going. The basic language is easy to pick and up run with, while the C integration allows more advanced users almost unlimited freedom to develop and distribute across multiple platforms with a single build. Basic idea's can be prototyped in an afternoon by an experienced coder, while the base engine is more than fast enough to handle complex and advanced games with a bit more time spent on it, even across mobile platforms. It's not up their with Unreal or Unity, but it's far easier to use and has a great user community. Recommended to anyone looking for an intorduction to game development, easy and accessable cross platform development or serious applications development.

This IDE is great to learn coding, although there should be some more guides for noobs like me.
There are helpful people on the discussion board who helped me get started (and still are).