Construct is a free powerful and easy to use development software for both DirectX 9-based games and applications,in a WYSIWYG environment. It includes an event based system for defining how the game or application will behave, in a visual, human-readable way - easy enough for complete beginners to get results quickly. Optionally, advanced users can also use Python scripting to code your creations.
This engine is so easy to use but has amazing advanced features, way better than Game Maker, only if this were more popular.