Hi! My name's Mark Brown, and I'm the creator of a YouTube series about game design, called Game Maker's Toolkit.

In each episode I strive to reveal the hidden genius of my favourite games, demystify the design process, pass on the philosophies of the world's best designers, or take a critical look at the most recent releases.

I've talked about how the Nemesis System works, how to teach complex games, why you didn't get lost in Metroid Dread, and how video game economies are designed.

And beyond that, I've done a game-by-game breakdown of the interconnected level design of games like Zelda and Metroid, run five wildly successful game jams, created a series about designing for different disabilities, interviewed loads of level designers while playing their stages, and I'm currently making my own game and sharing the process.

I've got endless ideas for new episodes - and I want you to help me make them!

What is Patreon?

Patreon is a service where you can pledge to send a regular payment to creators, so they can support themselves and keep making new stuff.

Patreon is better for creators than advertising or sponsorship. The content is 100% uncompromised, payment is more predictable, and creators don't need to stoop to clickbait content or other shady practices.

Patreon means that creators serve their viewers, not advertisers or corporate sponsors. And where the viewers choose what deserves to be made and who deserves a voice.

Why do you need the money?

Starting in 2017, I was able to make Game Maker's Toolkit my full time job. So, Patreon is now my primary source of income. I therefore need the money to, like, pay my mortgage and stuff - all while spending upwards of 100 hours researching, writing, editing, and publishing the latest episode of the show.

I also use the money to purchase equipment for the show (like hard drives to store game captures, better capture equipment, and new consoles), games, online services, and stuff like that.

What's in it for me?

All Patrons get a monthly "Reading List", which is a collection of articles and videos that should be of interest to any fan of GMTK. You also get access to the GMTK Discord server. And you will sometimes get updates about the channel.

Thos who pledge $3 will get a bonus video every month. This could be a recording of a lecture, a behind-the-scenes look at making a video, an extended interview, a game recommendation, or a mini episode of GMTK.

Those who pledge $5 will get new episodes of Game Maker's Toolkit at least 24 hours early and will sometimes have an opportunity to contribute feedback and ideas to upcoming videos.

And those who pledge $10 or more will appear in the credits at the end of every video, and will be named in the credits for my upcoming game.

Will I get previous Patron-only content when I subscribe?

Yes, but it only happens after your first payment has been processed (which happens at the beginning of the month).

Anything to declare?

I also sometimes work as a freelance writer, consultant, lecturer, and speaker so I sometimes get paid for that. I sometimes receive free games from developers, but will make this clear in the description for any video that talks about the game at length.