GameMaker Versions
There have been many versions of GameMaker since its launch in 1999. Here are them listed, along with key new features.
v1.1 (November 1999)
- First public release of Game Maker
- Introduction of GML
v1.2 (December 1999)
- Clipboard allowed copying and pasting of actions
- Many preset variables added to GML
- Scrolling backgrounds made possible
- Sounds are pausable
- Default game speed was 20
v1.2a (December 1999)
- Small improvements
v1.3 (December 1999)
- Large images are now possible
v1.4 (February 2000)
- Executables can now be made out of the editable files
- Keyboard pressing is detectable in GML
- Strings can be used in coding
- Bug fixes
v2.0 (September 2000)
- First use of DirectX for sound
- Part room visibility is easy to create
- Highscores improved
- Introduction of depth
- Other small changes
v3.0 (Early 2001)
- First use of DirectX for drawing
- Introduction of optional fullscreen mode
- Introduction of compatibility with function keys to eg. show game help.
- mp3 support
- Splash screen support
- Introduction of precise collision checking
- Multiple alarms added
- Arrays can now be 1D
v3.1 (Early 2001)
- Graphics engine redone using DirectX
- Introduction of saving and loading
- Simultaneous key presses are all recognised
- GML is colour coded when written
- Added GML commands
- Other bug fixes
v3.2 (Early 2001)
- Extra options for backgrounds
- Introduction of object parents
- Introduction of object IDs
- Bug fixes
v3.2b (Early 2001)
- Major bug fixes
v3.3 (April 2001)
- DirectX is now mandatory
- Less resource consumption
- Improved debugging
v4.0 (July 2001)
- Complete rewrite of Game Maker
- Completely changed interface
- Not backward compatible
- Logo changed from blue to red (this is still standard)
- Hundreds of other improvements and additions
v4.1 (December 2001)
- Multiplayer support added
v4.2 (April 2002)
- Much improved system stability
v4.3 (November 2002)
- Introduction of merging games
- Improved message box design
- Improved functionality of code boxes
- Many other small additions and improvements
v5.0 (April 2003)
- Entire program gets an overhauled interface to much improve its look
- Introduction of data file resources
- Introduction of timelines
- GML interpreter rewritten
- Will not work in Windows 95
- Many other improvements and additions
v5.1 (September 2003)
- Introduction of particle system
- Ability to change resources quickly
- Cannot read GM files made in 4.3 (a converter found on the website could change this)
- In XP, GM would use the XP's skin.
- Many other improvements and additions
v5.2 (December 2003)
- Improved room design form
- Addition actions for things such as particle systems
- Introduction of layered tiles
- Many other improvements and additions
v5.3 (April 2004)
- Improved path editor (games made in 5.2 will no longer have working paths in 5.3)
- Motion planning functionality
- Extra collision items added, eg. collision_line
- Constants can now be defined
- Many other improvements and additions
v5.3a
- Major bug fix of v5.3, where after a few hours of running, a GM game would crash
v6.0 (October 2004)
- Graphics engine rewrite, using Direct3D (improved graphics capability)
- Alpha transparency faster and easier
- Colour blending and rotating of sprites
- Texture-mapped polygons possible
- Ability to create games in full 3D
- Registration system rewrite due to hacking
- New editable file extension - .gm6, from the old .gmd
- Many other improvements and additions
v6.1 (May 2005)
- Improved image editor
- Much improved particle system
- Simple explosion effects engine
- Many other improvements and additions
v6.1a (July 2006)
- Improves a couple of aspects to make it easier for newcomers to learn how to use Game Maker.
v7.0 (February 2007)
- First release on YoYo Games
- Extension system added
- Softwrap registration system added
- Approximately 1MB is added to each executable
- Vista-supported
- Version names have been changed from Unregistered and Registered to Lite and Pro respectively.
v8.0 (December 2009)
- New green icon instead of the old blue or red one
- Muche improved imageeditor with full aphachannel support
- Toturials inbuilt
- Compatible with GM5 and forward
v8.1 (April 2011)
- In-house DRM replaced the Softwrap engine
- Free automatic software updates brought in new features and bug fixes through 2011 and 2012
GameMaker 4 Mac (2010)
- Only runs on Mac OSX
- Uses the same feature set as GameMaker v7.0
GameMaker: HTML5 (September 2011)
- As well as standard .exe files, GameMaker: HTML5 could export browser-embeddable HTML5 projects
- New .GMX editable format
- New look - dark background with orange icons
GameMaker: Studio 1.0 (22nd May 2012)
- As well as .exe and PC, Studio 1.0 added iOS, Android and Mac exports
- In-built Box 2D physics engine
- Default skin is a green version of the orange skin added with GameMaker: HTML5
- Native source control
- Price tiering changes - allows for purchasing of base Studio, OS exports separately, or Master Collection
GameMaker: Studio 1.1 (13th September 2012)
- Numerous business services can now be used for mobile games, including AdMob, Mopub, Facebook and iAds
- New audio system with rewritten functions; old audio system will still work and can be enabled for new projects
- Room editor improvements
GameMaker: Studio 1.2 (27th August 2013)
- YoYo Compiler for performance enhancement of games
- Shaders
GameMaker: Studio 1.3 (29th May 2014)
- Rewritten game debugger supports break points, source-level debugging and watch windows
- Extensions are now supported by the iOS and Android exports
- Vector/SWF sprites and backgrounds
- TrueType font inclusion
- Animated sprites are supported from Spine and Flash
- Android, iOS and Tizen exports support push notifications
- PlayStation 4 and PlayStation Vita exports
GameMaker: Studio 1.4 (25th November 2014)
- GameMaker: Player - a Steam-like program with a library of GameMaker games you can add to with GameMaker: Studio
- GameMaker: Marketplace - an asset store where you can buy, sell, download and upload assets for GameMaker games
- Exports for PlayStation 3 and Xbox One
- Improved audio functions, including mic support for voice chat
- LiquidFun Particle Physics
- YoYo Compiler support for Windows 8 and Windows Phone 8
- iOS exported games now support iOS8
- General IDE improvements
page revision: 10, last edited: 11 Dec 2014 15:58