Action Game Maker

Action Game Maker (Japanese: アクションゲームメーカー, Hepburn: Akushon Gēmu Mēkā) is a game development platform developed by Gotcha Gotcha Games. It belongs to the RPG Maker series, a series of programs for the development of role-playing video games (RPGs) with genre-driven varieties and machinima.

Visual scripting in Action Game Maker

GUI in Action Game Maker

Development and engine

Action Game Maker uses the open-sourced game engine Godot. This is the first use of Godot in the Maker series and allows developers to add more complex visual effects, animations, and gameplay as it is more up to date than the previous engines.^[1][2]

Action Game Maker was released on Steam on June 16, 2025.^[3]

Features and creative potential

Action Game Maker features a library of assets and customization options, including premade character sprites, background templates, music, and sound effects. Custom-made sprites, animations, and sound can also be imported.

The platform includes drag-and-drop interfaces for level design, AI behavior settings, and game physics adjustment, giving users control over how enemies move, how players interact with objects, and how scenes transition.^[4][5]

Action Game Maker builds on the scripting system of Pixel Game Maker MV by utilizing Godot's core functionalities. Actions like displaying text or gauges are now directly tied to Godot's systems, offering developers more flexibility and dynamic control. The introduction of additional features above the Godot's system improves interactivity and ensures compatibility with GDScript, providing a smoother workflow while maintaining accessibility for both visual and code-based development.^[6]

User experience and community involvement

Designed for both beginners and experienced developers, Action Game Maker simplifies the process of sharing creations within its community through direct publishing options, letting creators showcase their games on Steam or distribute them independently. It is anticipated that the platform will support a variety of languages, widening accessibility and encouraging global collaboration and feedback.^[7]

At the 2024 BitSummit Drift event, Action Game Maker attracted attention through its teaser trailer, signaling strong interest from the indie development community. The platform's focus on creative freedom with professional-grade tools is expected to appeal to hobbyists and indie developers alike, aiming to establish a community around sharing assets, tips, and user-created mods.^[8]

Comparisons and legacy

As the latest installment in the Maker series, Action Game Maker builds on the legacy of RPG Maker and its spiritual successor Pixel Game Maker MV, which made game creation accessible to many users. While previous entries focused heavily on role-playing mechanics, this entry's focus on action gameplay marks an expansion for the Maker series. This shift also aligns with the growing popularity of indie action games on platforms like Steam, where players and developers can experiment with styles that blend nostalgic and modern game design.^[9]