Dundee-based engine creator GameMaker has announced that its next-generation runtime, GMRT, will become completely free for commercial development and distribution starting 1 January 2027.
Under the updated model, developers will be able to build and monetise games across desktop, mobile, web, and GX Games with no upfront engine purchase or Professional licence required.
The move builds directly on GameMaker’s decision earlier this year to open up source-code access for GMRT, marking a major strategic evolution for the Scottish-developed engine behind global indie hits such as Spelunky, DELTARUNE, Hotline Miami, and UFO 50.
Removing Barriers to Commercial Distribution
Historically, commercial deployment on desktop and mobile platforms required developers to purchase a paid Professional tier. From 1 January 2027, that commercial gate will be completely removed for projects running on the new GMRT architecture.
Key details of the transition include:
- Free Commercial Distribution: GMRT projects can publish commercially across Windows, macOS, Ubuntu, iOS, Android, web, and GX Games with zero licensing fees.
- Source Code Access for All: Source repositories for GMRT will be available across every tier, giving developers the ability to inspect the engine internals, adapt and optimise runtimes to bespoke project requirements, and contribute code back to the toolset.
- Legacy GMS2 Continuity: Existing Professional licence holders retain full commercial rights for games built on the current GMS2 runtime and will also receive direct source-code access to the GMS2 runtime.
- Console Publishing: To export to PlayStation, Xbox, and Nintendo Switch, developers will still require an Enterprise licence alongside platform-holder approval.
- Pricing Stability: Existing subscription and tier pricing will remain unchanged.
Dundee Engineering Powering Global Independent Creators
Developed by a veteran engineering team in Dundee and acquired by Opera in 2021, GameMaker has surpassed 12 million downloads worldwide, serving as an entry point for emerging creators while simultaneously powering BAFTA-winning commercial titles.
Speaking on the shift, Russell Kay, Head of GameMaker, said:
“From the very beginning, GameMaker has been committed to making game development more accessible and flexible for every creator out there.
“As GMRT continues to roll out in beta across platforms, we are widening the scope of what we provide to developers. We are excited to see what the community comes up with as we embark on this fresh chapter for GameMaker.”
A Strategic Milestone for Independent Game Production
For independent creators and micro-studios, the announcement significantly reduces financial friction during pre-production and early commercial releases.
By pairing zero-cost commercial licensing with transparent source-code access, GameMaker is directly addressing the modern developer demand for extensibility, modifiability, and de-risked early-stage development.
Full technical documentation, source repository links, and contribution guidelines will be made available via the official GameMaker Portal.
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