GameMaker goes free for non-commercial use, after Unity fallout

Oh, it’s been a trying time for developers, especially those who’ve been hurt by Unity’s recent new controversial fees. As a result, many have been hightailing it outta there, looking for alternatives. In the midst of all this, one compan🅰y has deci🅰ded to engage in some savvy business acumen.

GameMaker has decided to go in the opposite direction and make itself free. A recent post on the is celebrating Thanksgiving by offering a free-to-use license for non-commercial purposes. On top of this, there’s also a new “one-time fee” for a commercial license, replacing its Creator/Indie subscriptions, while Enterprise remains the same.

While it can’t be assumed that this is in direct response to Unity’s “Runtime Fee,” GameMaker head Russell Kay says the team has seen “other platforms making awkward moves with their pricing and terms,” so saw fit to go in the other direction. Mum’s the word, Kay. Mum’s the word.

If you haven’t heard of it, you soon will

Offering support for all kinds of platforms, including Android, iOS, Amazon TV, Raspberry Pi, as well as Windows and modern consoles, GameMaker is one more alternative for develo🀅pers to use.

If you’ve ever played Hotline Miami or Undertale (or both), then you’ve played a GameMaker title before. And with free usage for non-commercial endeavors being offered, there’s probably going to be a few more people eager to jump ship.

As for what’s going on with Unity at the moment, alongside the carnage it’s created, the company may also be laying off staff. You know, that thing that’s been a plague on the industry this year and is almost certainly going to make people dislike Unity even more? Yeah, that thing.