global.ps = part_system_create();
global.pt_spark = part_type_create();
part_type_shape(global.pt_spark, pt_shape_square);
part_type_size(global.pt_spark, 0.08, 0.14, -0.005, 0);
part_type_speed(global.pt_spark, 2, 5, -0.1, 0);
part_type_direction(global.pt_spark, 0, 359, 0, 0);
part_type_life(global.pt_spark, 20, 35);

// on brick death (in the collision event):
part_particles_create(global.ps, other.x, other.y,
                      global.pt_spark, 12);