GameMaker to make its "next-generation runtime" GMRT free for commercial use in January 2027
GameMaker has announced that its next-generation runtime (GMRT) will be free for commercial use starting in January 2027. This change removes the requirement for a professional license to distribute games, though enterprise licenses remain mandatory for console exports.
Why it matters
This shift lowers the barrier to entry for independent game developers, potentially increasing the volume of games built on the GameMaker engine.
"As GMRT continues to roll out in beta across platforms, we are widening the scope of what we provide to developers," says head of GameMaker Russell Kay
From that date, developers can create and distribute games across desktop, mobile, web, and GX Games for free.
GameMaker explained that "the streamlined licensing model will enable developers to build and commercially distribute their games using GMRT without having to purchase a professional license", in addition to "source code access across every tier." The firm clarified that tier pricing will not change.
Those with a professional license "will still be able to commercially distribute games made on existing GMS2 runtime" with the added benefits from access to the GMS2 runtime source code.
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