Title: Creating EXE files in YOUR Games
Course: RITA MC - GAME DESIGN > Section: Module 2

Research the Processes for Creating an Executable file from your Game

When you’ve finished a game, you can turn it into an executable by choosing Create Application (CTL+ALT+C) from the File menu. Executables don’t need Game Maker to run, so it’s easier to give them to your friends or put them on a website.

Some of the problems you might run into when creating EXE files are:
Virus Scanners.  A Virus Scanner is built to kill .exe or.bat or .com files from running because this is a basic form of a Virus or something malicious.  You'll have to learn to deal with that. Share your solutions in a Discussion Form.  Everyone handles this differently, there is no right or wrong way to do this, there are must ways to do this.

If your settings are incorrect you will not be offered an option to "Create Application".  There are many reasons for this to happen and will require individual troubleshooting.  For example - You might have to change your target.  Especially if you are working with STEAM. Change it from "steam WORKSHOP" to "Windows" then the option should show up...IF you have a Project loaded correctly. Why?  Well you have to do some research, but mostly it is because regular Windows is the primary way to create an .exe to share. The Steam Workshop target uploads your game to the Steam Workshop for other people to download in the Steam Player and is not intended to give you an .exe.

From the User Manual:

Creating Your Stand Alone Game

Creating stand-alone applications is very easy with GameMaker: Studio. First you have to choose the "target" for the files to be made which means choosing whether you wish to create an *.exe for Windows, generate JavaScript and HTML for use in a browser, or create a package for one of the other target modules. Each of the individual targets has their own settings and you must ensure that they are correctly configured in the Global Game Settings and Preferences before you continue.

Once everything is correct, you then go into the File menu and select the item Create Executable or you can press the following button, found on the main IDE toolbar beside the Play and Debug buttons:

Create Executable For Target

Either option will open a save window where you can give the final name that you wish to use for your game file. Once you have done this, the necessary files will be generated so that you can distribute it as you wish.

NOTE: Before doing a final build of your project for release, you should always clear the Asset Compiler Cache (using the green "broom" icon at the top of the IDE) to ensure that all cached files are recreated and no stale files corrupt your final game. This is a common error or issue that occurs when submitting your game and corrupt files will not return a score/grade.