GameMaker is removing a major licensing cost for independent developers. Starting January 1, 2027, the engine’s next-generation runtime, GMRT, will be free for commercial use, allowing developers to release games on desktop, mobile, and web platforms without purchasing a Professional licence.
Announced on October 23 by GameMaker and parent company Opera, the change is intended to make commercial game development more accessible while giving creators greater flexibility to adapt the engine’s technology. Developers will also receive source-code access to GMRT across every license tier. GameMaker already allows users to develop games for free and publish to its GX Games platform. The upcoming change is particularly significant for creators who want to sell GMRT games through other supported distribution channels without paying for a Professional license.
The licensing update builds on GameMaker’s earlier move to provide access to GMRT’s source code. Developers will be able to inspect the runtime and adapt it to their projects within the applicable licensing terms, potentially giving experienced teams more control over their development workflows. The change also benefits developers who remain with the existing GameMaker Studio 2 (GMS2) runtime. Those who hold Professional licences will retain their commercial distribution rights for GMS2 games and gain access to that runtime’s source code as well. The announcement does not mean the entire engine is becoming unrestricted open-source software. Instead, GameMaker is expanding source-code access while changing the commercial licensing requirements for GMRT. Developers should review the applicable terms before assuming they can redistribute or modify every component without restrictions.
There is one significant exception to the new approach: console development. Developers will still need an Enterprise licence and approved developer status to export games to consoles, regardless of whether they use GMRT or GMS2. GameMaker also says existing licence-tier pricing will remain unchanged. The January 2027 update therefore changes the commercial distribution requirements for GMRT rather than eliminating every paid option in the engine’s licensing structure. One caveat for developers planning new projects is that GMRT is still in beta and is rolling out across platforms. Although the commercial licensing change has a firm effective date, developers should check the runtime’s current platform support and maturity before relying on it for a production release.
The announcement comes as game-engine providers compete to attract independent developers with more accessible tools and pricing models. GameMaker has been used to create successful indie titles such as Spelunky, DELTARUNE, and UFO 50, demonstrating the reach of its development ecosystem. By removing the Professional-licence requirement for GMRT commercial releases on supported platforms, GameMaker is giving new and established developers another reason to consider the engine. Beginning in January 2027, creators will be able to bring GMRT games to market without an upfront Professional licensing fee, while console releases remain subject to separate requirements.