Wondering why Liquisity allows for a max of three bubble jets? Or why some custom maps run so slowly? It’s not the fault of Game Maker 6, but was completely mine alone.

Back then I knew little of Game Maker. I knew alpha values (the act of drawing transparent sprites) but nothing of blending (lighting) and particles (basically sparks, bubbles and such). So, everything in the game is done using objects. That may not seem like a bad thing…but Liquisity proved me wrong. Oh so wrong.

Take this level for instance, back in Liquisity 1:

Looking at the screen, there might be a dozen or so objects on the screen, correct? Nope, there’s actually over 900 objects in that level alone (which is one of the simpler ones). The bubbles behind the action, the small bubbles from the jets, everything was used with objects, each of those having its own collision engine.

I’m surprised the game ran as well as it did, all things considered. Now take a look at the new Liquisity:

There’s more going on here it would seem, but no, only around 190 objects or so exist here. I haven’t implemented the background yet, but the considerable decrease in objects (even with the increase in window size and resolution) allows me to do a ton more stuff, like more jets, blending modes and lighting effects. And that means more to play with in the level editor. Woo!

Later this week I’ll give you the lowdown on what’s new for the game so far, and when I expect it to be released.