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This asset is a camera system and a platformer player controller.

The system is structured and fully customizable.

Features

  • Smooth target follow
  • Directional bias (look-ahead)
  • Camera zones
  • Screenshake effect
  • Camera pan
  • Temporary zoom
  • Dynamic multi-Target zoom

The code is cleanly commented and fully customizable with many parameters.

Pure GML, no dependencies.

Platformer player controller included.

Documentation

Getting Started

Introduction

This guide will show you how to set up the camera system and make it follow your player.

Requirements

  • GameMaker 2024+
  • The camera system
  • A player controller (included)

Installation

Option A : Import the YYZ package into GameMaker.
Option B : Import Local Package (.yymps) and select the folders you need.

Camera Setup

Add one instance of the oCamera object in the room.

Add a Follow Target

To make the camera follow the player, you have to add the player to the list of targets. 
if !oCamera.has_target(id) {
    oCamera.add_target(id);
}
By using this code in the player controller Step event, you first check whether the player instance is already in the target list, and then add it to the target list if it is not.

Player Requirements

To use the directional bias (look-ahead) feature, your player object needs a face variable.
face = 1 : looking right
face = -1 : looking left

Customization

You can customize camera's behaviour by modifying the variables in the Create event of `oCamera` :
  • default_camera_area : camera bounds as a struct
  • default_directional_offset : directional offset percentage (the percentage of the screen before the target)
  • bias_speed : directional offset direction change speed
  • default_follow_percent : following reactivity
  • zoom_margin : minimum outside margin for dynamic zoom
  • min_zoom : minimum zoom level
  • max_zoom : maximum zoom level

Effects

To trigger a screenshake, you can call the shake() function from any object. For example, to trigger a screen shake lasting 0.5 seconds with an amplitude of 8 pixels, you call : 
oCamera.shake(8, 0.5);
For more information about the other effects, check the API Reference.

Camera Zones

Camera zones are a way to modify the camera behavious only in specific zones.
They can change the camera bounds, the zoom, the directional bias percent, the follow percent, or lock the target.
The zone's action area is defined by its size in the room. Even if they are visible in the room editor for level design purposes, they aren't visible at runtime.

To create a camera zone, place the oCameraZone object in the room, resize it to choose its detection area.
Then, open instance's Creation Code and provide this code to override the Create event.
To override an aspect of the camera, first set the override_* variable of the category to true. Then, adjust the other variables of the category to your needs.
You can also change the zone_priority variable : a higher number indicates a higher-priority zone. 
zone_priority = 0;
// Bounds
override_bounds = false;
// Zoom
override_zoom = false;
zone_zoom = 2;
// Directional Bias
override_bias = false;
zone_bias = 60;
// Follow Percent
override_follow = false;
follow_percent = 60;
// Lock Target
override_target = false;
fixed_target_x = x + sprite_width * 0.5;
fixed_target_y = y + sprite_height * 0.5;

Multi-target Follow

You can now add multiple targets for the camera to follow.
The camera will zoom automatically zoom in and out to fit all the targets in the screen.

Conclusion

You are now ready to customize the camera system to fit your game's needs.
For more advanced use, refer to API Reference.

API Reference

Targets

add_target(inst)

Adds an instance to the follow target list.
Parameters
  • inst : Instance

remove_target(inst)

Removes an instance of the follow target list.
Parameters
  • inst : Instance

set_target(inst)

Replace all current targets with a single target instance.
Parameters
  • inst : Instance

clear_targets()

Clears the follow target list.

has_target(inst)

Returns whether the instance is in the follow target list.
Parameters
  • inst : Instance

Effects

shake(strength, duration)

Triggers a screen shake with a progressive fade-out.
Parameters
  • strength : Maximal offset of the screen shake
  • duration : Duration in seconds

zoom_to(zoom, duration)

Sets the camera zoom to a fixed value for a specific duration.
Parameters
  • zoom : Zoom level as a multiplier
  • duration : Duration in seconds

pan_to(x_pos, y_pos, duration)

Sets the camera target to a fixed point for duration in seconds.
Parameters
  • x_pos : X-axis position of the target point
  • y_pos : Y-axis position of the target point
  • duration : Duration in seconds

Utilities

stop_zoom()

Cancels zoom_to() effect before the end of the duration.

stop_pan()

Cancels pan_to() effect before the end of the duration.

Licence

Copyright 2026 0xNil
Permission is granted to use this asset in both personal and commercial projects, free of charge.
You are welcome to:
* Use this asset in your own projects.
* Modify the code to suit your needs.
* Include it in free or commercial games.
You may not:
* Redistribute the original package.
* Reupload this asset to another website or marketplace.
* Sell this asset, whether modified or unmodified, as a standalone product or as part of an asset pack.
Credit is appreciated but not required.
This software is provided "as is", without warranty of any kind. The author is not liable for any damages arising from its use.
More information
Updated 11 hours ago
Published 1 day ago
StatusReleased
CategoryTool
Author0xNil
GenrePlatformer
Tags2D, camera, GameMaker, gml
ContentNo generative AI was used

Download

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Click download now to get access to the following files:

v1.0.0.yyz 138 kB
v1.0.0.yymps 68 kB

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