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