GameMaker will make its GMRT runtime free for commercial use in 2027

GameMaker will make its next-generation GMRT runtime free for commercial use starting on January 1, 2027, according to Game Developer, PocketGamer.biz, GamesIndustry.biz, and GamingOnLinux. A runtime is the underlying software component that executes a game's code while it runs. The change will allow video game creators to build and sell games on platforms such as PC, mobile, web browsers, and GX Games without buying a professional licence. [1][2][3][4]

Game Developer, PocketGamer.biz, and GamesIndustry.biz all report that developers previously needed to buy a professional licence to commercially ship games built on GMRT or the older GMS2 runtime. Game Developer noted that the engine developer is owned by Opera. GamesIndustry.biz reported that GMRT is currently rolling out in beta across platforms. [1][2][3]

GameMaker was originally created by Mark Overmars in 1999 and has been developed by YoYo Games since 2007. Game Developer reported that the company first announced GMRT in April 2026 to add new tooling to the 2D game engine, including support for workflows incorporating artificial intelligence programming on Claude. [1][6]

GamesIndustry.biz reported that head of GameMaker Russell Kay stated the company is widening the scope of what it provides to developers as GMRT continues to roll out. The new licensing model is designed to streamline how creators build and commercially distribute their titles. [3]