Scrolling shooters are a very
popular type of arcade action game, and are also rather
easy


to create with a package
like



Game Maker



. In this tutorial we will
make such a game and,


in the process, learn a
number of aspects of



Game Maker



, in particular the use
of


variables. In a scrolling
shooter the player controls an object, for example a
plane,


spaceship, or car, which
moves over a scrolling background. Obstacles appear on the


background that must be
avoided and enemies appear that must be shot. Often bonus


objects appear that can be
picked up for addition benefits. During the game the
number,


variety, and strength of the
enemies increases making it harder and harder to survive.