	GAME MAKER 5.0 Changes
	=======================


The following are some of the major changes in GAME MAKER
version 5.0 compared to version 4.3.

Incompatibilities
-----------------
Game Maker 5.0 is largely compatible with version 4.3. It can
read game files created with version 4.3. You might though have
to make some changes. Here are the main incompatibilities:

- Game Maker 5.0 is no longer supported on Windows 95
- There is no longer an option to show the score in the caption
  or not (there is now an action for this).
- Highscore options are no longer used. You can now set them in
  the action to show the highscore list.
- Some action have been changed. The old ones show a special
  red color and can no longer be added but they will function
  correctly.
- Joysticks now have their own events and no longer generate
  numeric keypad keyboard events.
- The code interpreter is a bit more picky about errors. So
  certain (wrong) pieces of code that where accepted in
  version 4.3 now generate errors. Here are some typical 
  errors that are no longer acceptable:
    - An array declaration like ttt[100]; does not exist in
      GML and is not required. The new version no longer
      accepts this as a valid line of code. 
    - An expression is no longer a valid line of code or
      a valid program. 
    - Code after the last } now creates an error.
  
- Non-used scripts are now checked for syntax errors. So
  these must now also be error free.

Built-in GML programming language
---------------------------------
The interpreter for the GML language has been completely
rewritten. This resulted in a speed improvement for executing
code of a factor of about 5. (Realize though that often
this is not the limiting factor in your games so actual
speed increase might be a lot less.) Also there are new
language constructs such as a switch statement, break and
continue statements, the use of local variables, bitwise
operators, do until statement, and multiline comments.
The new interpreter is a bit more picky about errors.
So you might get error reports were you did not get
them before. Also all scripts are now syntax checked
before the game starts, also scripts that are not used
in the game. Se these should also be error free.

Action mechanism
----------------
The mechanism for actions has been changed completely.
Actions are now read from library files. This makes it
easy to add actions to the program. A library builder
will be provided some time in the future such that 
people can create their own collections of actions.
A number of new actions have been added, in particular
actions dealing with health and lives.

Health mechanism
----------------
Besides lives and score there now also is a health
mechanism. Actions have been addded to set and check
the health, and to draw a health bar. Also there is
an event when there is no more health.

Improved file size
------------------
Game files and stand alone games are now smaller and load faster.

Time line resource
------------------
A new time line resource has been added. This resource makes
it possible to let certain actions happen at predefined
moments in time. You can use this to define complicated
movements or other behavior of entities, to control the
way enemies appear, etc.

Data file resource
------------------
The new data file resource makes it possible to include any
type of file in your game. It can also be used to use
your own fonts.

Advanced and simple mode
------------------------
You can select the mode in which to use the program. In simple mode
many resource types and options are made invisible, making it easier
to start using the program. In advanced mode it is easier to access the
advanced options.

Improved visuals
----------------
Almost all images and form layouts have been improved.

Additional events
-----------------
A number of additional events are now availabe, in particular
mouse enter and leave events, global mouse press and release
events, and joystick events.

Better debugger
---------------
You now get better error messages. Also, in debug mode you
can get lists of all instances, the values of all global
or local variables, etc.

Registration
------------
Game Maker 5 asks you to register the program. Registration is not
mandatory but it is highly recommended as it supports the further
development of the program.

Many smaller improvements
-------------------------
There many other smaller improvements, in particular:
  - a better code editor
  - the use of sprite based fonts
  - better support for joysticks
  - possibility to use external sound editors
  - easier use of external DLLs
  - room settings are now saved
  - multiple backup copies
  - creation code for individual instances
  - possibility to add creator information
  - key mapping mechanism
  - a number of additional functions has been added

Bug corrections
---------------
A number of bugs have been corrected, in particular:
  - problems with size and position of message box
  - error in merging game
  - error with tiles outside a room
  - bug in io_clear function
  - single step in debug mode
  - negative roomspeed
  - errors in math functions
  - error when shrinking animation images
  - cancelling a group creation


