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This year, GameMaker will be getting a new code editor and enhanced modding features.
In its annual update announcement, GameMaker, a 2D game engine that has been downloaded millions of times, revealed the new features and improvements coming to the platform in 2019.
The new features of GameMaker are almost exclusively shaped by the feedback and requests from its engaged community. A new code editor, improved modding capabilities, and AI support are amongst this year’s most requested and important additions.
Russell Kay, the head of GameMaker said, “Our vocal and engaged community has told us loudly what new features they want to see added to the design environment.” While we cannot respond to every request, the roadmap for this year includes major additions like the new modding extensions and code editor.
GameMaker 2023 will bring a number of new features, including:
Modifying Extensions
The new mod.io extensions will make it easier to add user-generated content to your games. The extension will allow developers to turn their players into modders, allowing them to add more content to their games and create a stronger community.
When connected to mod.io developers can access a variety of game mods, including simple DLC and more complex user-created data and levels.
AI Integration
GameMaker, following Opera’s recent partnership with OpenAI is exploring ways to integrate AI that complement and simplify the process of creating games without limiting individual expression. GameMaker, for example, is testing systems that integrate AI results and queries directly into creators projects, including creating code, graphical placeholders, and allowing in-painting and out-painting of images.
New code Editor
In this year’s GameMaker, users will get a brand new code editor with a completely revamped UI. Some of the key features are:
* The code editor is hosted in a full-screen window that allows access to all objects, events, and functions contained within the code file.
The code editor will allow you to create new objects and events, reducing the need to switch between the workspaces and code editors.
* Intellisense and all syntax highlighting support are being moved to a Language Server. This allows Gamemaker support for more languages in the code editor. For example, Shader Languages with Intellisense and JSON/XML support.
GameMaker supports Markdown in Notes, and introduces side-by-side support for previews to help you see the impact of changes on formatting.
GamerMaker is also open-sourcing its GameMakerLanguage server (GML), which will open GML to more environments. Visual Studio Code also uses the same protocol so developers can use it within Visual Studio Code.
