Game Maker - Development History

Development History

Game Maker was originally titled Animo, a program specializing in 2D animation. Overmars released the first public version (version 1.1) on November 15, 1999. While this version of Game Maker had a built-in scripting language, which was not as complex as in more recent versions, it and the next few versions of Game Maker did not have DirectX support, a separate runner to run games independently from Game Maker, or the ability to compile games into executable files.

Each major release added substantial new features and improved stability, while gaining steadily in popularity. In 2001, version 3.0 implemented DirectX for the first time, while version 4.0 (released July 2001) was rewritten from scratch, changing the interface significantly. Version 5.0 was released in April 2003, adding support for external data files and time lines. In version 6.0, released October 2004, Game Maker's graphics engine was rewritten using Direct3D as a base, allowing for more complex operations such as easier alpha transparency and sprite rotation, as well as introducing 3D graphics functions. Overmars began work on version 7.0, which introduced the ability to extend its functionality, around the summer of 2006, and released it on 28 February 2007, through YoYo Games. Version 7 RC2 also introduced data encryption for executables created with the software due to concerns about program decompilation. Game Maker 8 was released on 22 December 2009, adding new features such as a revamped script editor window, improved image editor, and the ability to import and export resources from game source files.