GameMaker is making its next-generation runtime, GMRT, free for commercial use while offering developers more possibilities to modify and adapt the technology to their specific needs.
OSLO, Norway, 23 October 2026: GameMaker, the game development engine used to create award-winning indie hits including Spelunky, DELTARUNE, and UFO 50, today announced that its next-generation runtime, GMRT, will be made free for commercial use starting January 1, 2027, allowing developers to create and distribute their games for free across desktop, mobile, web, and GX Games.
These changes are building upon the source code access for GMRT announced earlier this year, aiming to make indie game development on GameMaker more accessible. As a result, developers will have more flexibility in how they work with GameMaker and a simplified commercial model for their new projects. The community will also be able to explore GameMaker’s technology, tailor it to their specific project needs, and even potentially contribute to it.
Empowering developers to build and distribute
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, they will have source code access across every tier.
Developers who currently own the Professional license will still be able to commercially distribute games made on the existing GMS2 runtime, and will additionally benefit from access to GMS2 runtime source code. Regardless of runtime, developers will still need an Enterprise license and to be an approved developer to be able to export to consoles. There will be no changes to existing tier pricing.
Full details, source repositories, and contribution guidelines will be available at GameMaker’s website.
“From the very beginning, GameMaker has been committed to making game development more accessible and flexible for every creator out there,” said Russell Kay, Head of GameMaker. “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.”
About GameMaker
GameMaker is the fastest and friendliest cross-platform game engine. GameMaker allows artists and creators to make games within a single code base and publish natively across multiple platforms, including Windows Desktop, macOS, Ubuntu, Android, iOS, Web, PlayStation, Xbox, and Nintendo Switch. GameMaker has been downloaded more than 12 million times. The team behind it is based in Dundee, Scotland. GameMaker was acquired by Opera in January 2021. https://gamemaker.io
About Opera
Opera is a user-centric and innovative software company focused on enabling the best possible internet browsing experience across devices. Hundreds of millions of people use Opera browsers for their unique features on mobile phones and desktop computers. Founded in 1995 and headquartered in Oslo, Norway, Opera is publicly listed on the Nasdaq stock exchange under the ticker symbol OPRA. Download Opera browsers and other Opera products at opera.com. Learn more at investor.opera.com.