GameMaker, presented as the ultimate 2D game engine by its developers, has recently unveiled a new pricing model. The change makes Game Maker free for non-commercial use on all platforms, except consoles.
For commercial projects, a new one-time payment license has replaced the existing Creator/Indie subscriptions. This marks a surprising shift, with the company deciding to transition from a subscription-based product model to a single upfront fee.
The new one-time commercial license costs $99.99 USD and enables exports to Windows, MacOS, Linux, iOS, Android, Amazon Fire, Android TV, tvOS, GX.games and the Web. No changes have been introduced for console exports, which still require a monthly or yearly subscription to the Enterprise tier.
Subscribers to the Creator/Indie plans will receive a discounted rate on the commercial license, calculated based on the total amount they've paid for the subscription. Those who maintained a year-long subscription under the old model will be automatically granted a free Professional license.
According to Russell Kay, the Head of GameMaker, this change symbolizes a special gift to the community in celebration of Thanksgiving. He expressed gratitude for the engine's remarkable growth, citing a three-fold increase in active users since joining the Opera family.
Additionally, Kay addressed the issue of exploitative pricing, alluding to what he referred to as “awkward” moves by certain companies, with Unity likely being the target of his comments due to their recent controversial actions.
The new pricing structure underscores GameMaker's commitment to improving accessibility and flexibility in game development. They outline their offerings to emphasize this point:
“The free version serves as an entry point for beginners. The one-time commercial fee is for the curious, while the subscription-based enterprise tier provides a scalable option for more experienced developers and professionals.”
For more information, visit the official GameMaker website.
