Progress: 5/8/13

Got a handle on GameMaker's particle system and added vertical wind mechanics.  When wind is blowing upwards, the player's vertical descent is slowed down.  Players can jump higher with wind blowing upward as well.  Finally while gliding, the player can slowly make themselves float up indefinitely.

When wind is blowing downward, the player's vertical descent is sped up.  Gliding still slows the descent, but the speed up is still significant.  Jumping in downward blowing wind isn't as effective as jumping without wind.

Quick screenshot, to show how things are looking:

With a hint at what the gliding mechanic will look like.

Things are starting to come together.  I have a few level designs in mind, but I'm definitely going to have to brainstorm more.  With all the mechanics I'm adding, ideas just keep flooding in, and I need to start getting them down on paper.