Squid
28-06-2009, 10:57 AM
Dunno if this has already been posted.
As we promised, here is a preliminary list of features that you can expect in Game Maker 8.0. Note though that this is still subject to change.
PNG/alpha transparency/Image editor
Game Maker now supports sprites and background with alpha channels throughout the maker. An alpha channel allows pixels to be partially transparent. With the use of alpha channels your graphics can look a lot nicer. The most used file format for alpha channels is PNG. PNG files are now the standard image and sprite files for Game Maker although it can still read all the other file formats. The built-in sprite and image editors have been rewritten to handle alpha transparency. In particular the image editor has been completely rewritten, including many new drawing options and filters/special effects.
Collision checking option
Collision checking options for sprites have changed. You can now e.g. indicate whether sub-images should all have the same or different collision masks. Also you can increase and reduce the mask and use a disk as a mask.
Import and export of resources
You can now import and export the various resources in your game. For example, you can export all sprites and import them in another game. Or you can give a copy of your gmk to somebody else who makes some additional rooms which you can then import in your original game. It makes it a lot easier to collaborate on games.
Splash screens that show web sites and html documents
You can now show splash screens in the game that show a website or a local html file. In this way you can incorporate for example very nice help pages in your game. There are new actions to support this. Also splash screens got some additional options.
Time lines
Time lines have been enhanced. They can for example be paused and they can even play backwards.
Trigger events
These are a new type of event that you can define yourself and then use in your objects. For example, you can define events that happen when an object gets close to another object, or when you press a combination of keys, or when you reached a particular score, etc.
A new script/code editor
The built-in script/code editor has been completely rewritten, making it a lot easier to write code. For example there is pop-up function name completion, argument help, matching brackets, improved color coding, line numbers, on-the-fly error checking, and a sophisticated find and replace functionality.
The new script editor
Smaller changes
Some smaller changes include: Game Maker news shown in the program, much faster loading times (also when starting games), better encryption of executables, constant definition in a separate form, and some visual improvements. Also a number of bugs have been corrected.
Bundled resources
Game Maker 8.0 will be bundled with a complete new set of high-quality resources (sprites, background, sound effects) that you can use for free in your games.
Source (http://glog.yoyogames.com/?p=537)
I'm especially happy about the new code editor. About time it started looking more like a proper IDE.
As we promised, here is a preliminary list of features that you can expect in Game Maker 8.0. Note though that this is still subject to change.
PNG/alpha transparency/Image editor
Game Maker now supports sprites and background with alpha channels throughout the maker. An alpha channel allows pixels to be partially transparent. With the use of alpha channels your graphics can look a lot nicer. The most used file format for alpha channels is PNG. PNG files are now the standard image and sprite files for Game Maker although it can still read all the other file formats. The built-in sprite and image editors have been rewritten to handle alpha transparency. In particular the image editor has been completely rewritten, including many new drawing options and filters/special effects.
Collision checking option
Collision checking options for sprites have changed. You can now e.g. indicate whether sub-images should all have the same or different collision masks. Also you can increase and reduce the mask and use a disk as a mask.
Import and export of resources
You can now import and export the various resources in your game. For example, you can export all sprites and import them in another game. Or you can give a copy of your gmk to somebody else who makes some additional rooms which you can then import in your original game. It makes it a lot easier to collaborate on games.
Splash screens that show web sites and html documents
You can now show splash screens in the game that show a website or a local html file. In this way you can incorporate for example very nice help pages in your game. There are new actions to support this. Also splash screens got some additional options.
Time lines
Time lines have been enhanced. They can for example be paused and they can even play backwards.
Trigger events
These are a new type of event that you can define yourself and then use in your objects. For example, you can define events that happen when an object gets close to another object, or when you press a combination of keys, or when you reached a particular score, etc.
A new script/code editor
The built-in script/code editor has been completely rewritten, making it a lot easier to write code. For example there is pop-up function name completion, argument help, matching brackets, improved color coding, line numbers, on-the-fly error checking, and a sophisticated find and replace functionality.
The new script editor
Smaller changes
Some smaller changes include: Game Maker news shown in the program, much faster loading times (also when starting games), better encryption of executables, constant definition in a separate form, and some visual improvements. Also a number of bugs have been corrected.
Bundled resources
Game Maker 8.0 will be bundled with a complete new set of high-quality resources (sprites, background, sound effects) that you can use for free in your games.
Source (http://glog.yoyogames.com/?p=537)
I'm especially happy about the new code editor. About time it started looking more like a proper IDE.