.gmk encryption

From GMpedia.org Wiki

.gmk encryption is the term that refers to the fact that Game Maker 7.x .gmk files are encrypted. The feature was introduced in Game Maker 7.0, since its second beta, and has caused a lot of controversy amongst the Game Maker Community. It could be one of the most controversial features (or as others simply call it "changes") in Game Maker, since it stops Game Maker-related projects such as g-java.

1 The .gmk Debate
2 References
3 See Also

[edit] The .gmk Debate

[edit] Background

Main article: G-Java

Mark Overmars, creator of Game Maker, has previously expressed his opposition to projects such as G-Java which converts Game Maker files (.gm6) into compiled Java applets. So, he decided to encrypt the Game Maker source in version 7.0 to limit access to the actual source, even when not compiled!

[edit] Arguments for the encryption

Those with the encryption mainly believe that programs like g-Java would do more harm than good to Game Maker itself. Mosts arguments are actually concerns of how such programs would reflect on the image of Game Maker. Such concerns include:

Users would blame Game Maker for errors in conversion, even though it is most probably the converter
Users would complain about any major changes in Game Maker that would cause incompatibility with such converters

So, Mark decided to make them incompatible early on so that no such problems occur on a larger scale.

[edit] Arguments against the encryption

Those not supporting the .gmk encryption are largely disappointed by the "lack of sufficient arguments" Mark Overmars has to do do the encryption. There was only one main argument for encryption, was presented by Mark Overmars^[1], however more against the encryption existed:

The .gmk encryption would limit projects like G-java, which are good to the community
Valuable developer tools such as a resource extractor for corrupts files wouldn't work any more
A source code is a source code -- it doesn't need encryption
Those working on G-java might decide to work on separate tools that compete with Game Maker instead of extending it.

[edit] Result

Though arguments against the .gmk encryption are more in number, arguments in favor of the .gmk encryption are more concrete and more important. The truth is, the .gmk encryption will probably save Game Maker's image from damage in the long run, but in the short run: it has definitely done damage to it.