GameMaker to make its new runtime free for non-console commercial use

GameMaker plans to let developers build and commercially distribute games using its next-generation runtime, GMRT, without buying a Professional licence from January 1, 2027. The change covers desktop, mobile, web and GX Games, GamesIndustry.biz reported on October 23.

GameMaker is an engine focused on making 2D games. GMRT is its next-generation runtime—the software that runs games built with the engine. The announcement removes the Professional-licence requirement for commercial distribution using GMRT on those platforms, rather than changing the commercial terms for the existing GMS2 runtime.

Source access expands, but paid tiers remain

GameMaker says the revised model will provide access to source code—the underlying programming instructions—across every licence tier. Tier prices will not change. The announcement follows changes to GMRT source-code access earlier in 2026.

Professional licence holders will retain the right to commercially distribute games made with the existing GMS2 runtime and will also gain access to that runtime’s source code. For console releases, GameMaker says developers will still need both an Enterprise licence and approved-developer status, whichever runtime they use.

GMRT remains in beta

GameMaker head Russell Kay said GMRT was continuing to roll out in beta across platforms, meaning it remains a test release. The next scheduled change is the January 1, 2027 licensing expansion, when developers using GMRT on the listed non-console platforms will no longer need to buy a Professional licence to distribute their games commercially.