GameMaker has gotten a LOT better in the last few years. It was pretty stagnant for a while, but now it's multiplatform and has got lots of great features for 2D work.
I think people still associate GM with amateur games, but the lines are blurring now.
GameMaker Studio Master Collection now costs a tidy sum of $799.99, compared to $25 for GameMaker 7 a few years ago. Definitely a shift towards a more professionally orientated market.
I think people still associate GM with amateur games, but the lines are blurring now.