GameMaker

GameMaker is game-development software with GML Code and GML Visual scripting, multiplayer tools, and mobile and console export options. Listed targets include GX.games, Windows, macOS, Ubuntu, HTML5, Android, iOS, tvOS, Xbox, PlayStation, and Nintendo Switch. It is available on Android, iOS, Linux, macOS, and Windows, and its source code model is listed as source available. The free plan is limited to non-commercial use and excludes console exports. The Professional plan is listed at $99.99 a month, with a commercial licence and desktop, web, and mobile exports; its billing term is described as a one-time purchase. Enterprise is listed at $79.99 a month, billed monthly, and includes a commercial licence, console exports, and source code access. GameMaker is made by GameMaker, headquartered in Dundee, Scotland, United Kingdom. The pricing model is freemium, with a free plan available.

GameMaker offers a free non-commercial option and paid plans with different export and licensing terms. Check the plan details carefully, especially the Professional billing note and Enterprise console exports.

GameMaker may suit people building games for the listed desktop, web, mobile, or console targets. The free plan is for non-commercial use without console exports, while the paid plan details cover commercial licences.

Overview

GameMaker is game-development software built around GML Code and GML Visual, with export targets ranging from desktop and mobile to consoles. It is best suited to developers who want one tool for multiple release platforms and can match their project to its licensing tiers. The free plan is limited to non-commercial use, while commercial desktop, web and mobile publishing starts with Professional.

Key features

GML Code and GML Visual offer code-based and visual scripting approaches. That choice can accommodate different ways of building a game, and the included multiplayer tools add support for multiplayer projects; the feature set does not establish the scope of those tools, so developers should not assume a particular networking capability.

Targets include GX.games, Windows, macOS, Ubuntu, HTML5, Android, iOS, tvOS, Xbox, PlayStation and Nintendo Switch. This breadth makes GameMaker relevant to projects planned for more than one platform, but console support is not part of every licence: it is reserved for Enterprise. Professional covers desktop, web and mobile exports, which is a more practical fit for commercial releases that do not require console deployment.

GameMaker is source-available, and Enterprise includes source code access. That access is a meaningful distinction for developers who need it, but it is bundled with the console-export tier rather than the lower-priced commercial option.

Pricing

Free costs nothing and permits non-commercial use only, with no console exports. It suits learning and non-commercial projects, but it is not a route to a commercial release.

Professional costs $99.99 a month, billed One-time purchase, and includes a commercial licence plus desktop, web and mobile exports. It is the relevant tier for commercial projects targeting those platforms. The billing note matters: despite the monthly price wording, the plan is described as a one-time purchase.

Enterprise costs $79.99 a month, billed Monthly, and includes a commercial licence, console exports and source code access. It is the tier for commercial console projects or developers who need source access. Its lower stated monthly amount than Professional does not make it an equivalent substitute: the export rights differ, and Professional is described as a one-time purchase while Enterprise renews monthly.

Platforms

GameMaker's listed platform availability includes Android, iOS, Linux, macOS and Windows. Its export targets also include web formats, tvOS, GX.games and the major console families. Platform targets should be read alongside the plan terms: Professional covers desktop, web and mobile exports, while console exports require Enterprise.

Who it's for

Choose GameMaker if you want visual and code-based scripting in one development tool and expect to publish commercially to desktop, web or mobile under Professional, or need console exports and source code access under Enterprise. It is a poor fit for a commercial project if you intend to stay on Free, and console-focused developers need to account for Enterprise rather than assuming the broad target list means console rights come with every plan.

Pros and cons

Pros

• Two scripting approaches: GML Code and GML Visual let developers choose a code-based or visual workflow.
• Broad export reach: targets cover desktop, web, mobile and consoles, with Professional supporting commercial desktop, web and mobile exports.
• Free starting point: the Free plan costs nothing for non-commercial work.

Cons

• Free is not for commercial releases: its non-commercial-only licence rules out selling a project under that plan.
• Console exports are gated: console deployment requires Enterprise, not Free or Professional.
• Professional billing needs care: it is priced at $99.99 a month but described as a one-time purchase, unlike Enterprise's monthly billing.

Alternatives

Construct 3 is worth considering for individuals and hobbyists who want a free trial and a Personal License described as including all features, with cancellation at any time; its listed platforms also include web.

Buildbox may suit developers looking for a paid option with plan limits expressed in worlds, scenes and weekly or monthly AI tokens; its Beginner and Pro prices are custom pricing.

GameArt2D is an alternative for people seeking free game assets rather than a game-development engine.

Cocos Store is an alternative for people seeking free resources, rather than GameMaker's scripting and export toolset.

Game Developer Studio is a web-based alternative for readers specifically looking for a browser platform.

CraftPix is an alternative for readers seeking a web-based asset service with a free Basic plan.

itch app is a free, open-source desktop app for Linux, macOS and Windows, rather than a game-development tool.

KitBash3D is an alternative for readers seeking a paid library of textured models, with a free-access tier as well.

Verdict

GameMaker is a solid choice for developers who want visual and code-based scripting with commercial desktop, web and mobile exports, and a path to console releases. Its strongest reason to choose it is the range of targets paired with two scripting styles; its clearest reason to look elsewhere is the licensing split, especially the non-commercial Free plan and the Enterprise requirement for console exports.