GameMaker's GMRT runtime to be free for commercial use from January 1, 2027
GameMaker has announced that its next-generation runtime, GMRT, will be free for commercial use from January 1, 2027. Source code access will extend to every license tier, while console export rules and tier pricing stay the same.
Digital Developer Desk, 17h ago, 2 min read
GameMaker has announced that GMRT, its next-generation runtime, will be free for commercial use starting January 1, 2027. From that date, developers can build and distribute games on desktop, mobile, web and GX Games without buying a Professional license. The change has been announced, not yet applied.
Source code access comes with it. Every tier gets access to the GMRT source code. This builds on source access for GMRT that GameMaker announced earlier this year. GameMaker says the community will be able to explore the technology, adapt it to project needs and possibly contribute to it.
The existing GMS2 runtime is handled separately. Professional license holders can keep distributing commercial games made on it, and they now also get its source code. GameFromScratch points out that the free commercial terms apply only to GMRT, so anyone staying on the legacy runtime will still need a Professional license.
Console export is unchanged. Regardless of runtime, developers still need an Enterprise license and approved-developer status to export to consoles. GameMaker says there are no changes to existing tier pricing.
GMRT is still rolling out in beta across platforms, according to GameMaker's Russell Kay. If you plan a new project, check the beta status for your target platforms before committing. GameFromScratch's view is that the change reduces the value of the Professional license, leaving build/CI tools and GMS2 runtime support as its main features. That is the outlet's opinion, not GameMaker's statement.
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