Since Game Maker Tech
In the last week I was contacted by Kay Johnson, who oversaw development of the Game Maker Technology magazine from its November 2006 launch to its 17th and last issue in September 2009.
Since that last release Kay completely left “the GameMaker scene”, time which has seen numerous developments and announcements surrounding the future of the GameMaker software.
In order to summarise what he’d missed since then I first had to remind myself of the major developments that had occurred. This post will serve as a recap for Kay and anyone else interested in a summary of key milestones in the GameMaker (or as it was then Game Maker) community over the last couple of years in one place.
2009
- Game Maker 8 Released, the first new version in almost 3 years. Major sprite and script editor updates.
2010
- YoYo Games move to Dundee
- Mike Dailly and Russell Kay join
- GameMaker for Mac released
- SkyDiver Mach II is the first game published by YoYo Games and becomes available in the iTunes store.
- Simply Solitaire HD becomes the first GameMaker game published on Android
2011
- GreenTech+ becomes first GameMaker game playable on PSP and as a PlayStation Mini
- Game Maker becomes GameMaker with the release of GameMaker 8.1
- GameMaker 8.1 introduces a built in product updater, and regular updates are now being delivered.
- GameMaker 8.1 also features new Lite restrictions and a new registration system
- GameMaker Studio is announced which will allow exporting games in iOS, Android and HTML5 formats.
- Price increased to $39.99
- GameMaker HTML5 enters alpha, demo games released.
- YoYo Games now employ 14 fulltime staff
And the magazines we’ve seen launch (and release more than a single issue) since the last GMTech: GMIndie, KwikLook, Overbyte, Nikc-Nack, GMAG, Game Maker’s Digest, This Is Indie, RekameMag, indie(Magazine)
Have I missed anything? If you recall any other significant developments with regards to GameMaker please post them in the comments so I can update the list.
Since Game Maker Tech http://t.co/dXBiA6C
Thanks Phil, I have been out of the loop the past few years. It seems like a lot of cool stuff has happened since I navigated away from GameMaker. Looking forward to HTML5 and getting back into the GameMaker world again
Softwrap removed from v8.1
Hard to believe so much time passed. And so many magazines were released (and scrapped) since.
While I’ve been almost completely out of the GM loop, one thing I have kept reading is this blog. So I kindof have an idea of whats what, who’s who, and whats going on, and I’m excited about the new direction.
@Danny @Eyas You all come out of the woodwork now don’t you!
Ha! Yeah, interesting, isn’t it?
Very nice to see things still moving along with GM development. Above and beyond what I first thought when making the decision to stop making GMTech Magazine.
A massive thank you to everyone who played a part in the production of the magazine as well as readers over the years.
All the best to the current crop of GM related magazines, I hope they continue to grow along with GameMaker.
I don’t know if you’ll read this, but it was a pleasure working with you Kay (or gamez93 as you used to be called)!
I still have all the issues ever released (as well as the source files from the last few we made) and re-read them occasionally. We certainly did create a pretty darn good mag didn’t we