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GameMaker features. GameMaker is a complete development tool for making 2D games, used by indie developers, professional studios, and educators worldwide. Create games for Windows, Mac, Linux, Android, iOS, HTML5, Xbox Series X|S, PlayStation 5, and Nintendo Switch. See all features.
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Can I download GameMaker for free? Yes - all versions of...
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Publish your game directly to GX.games for free to instantly...
- Tutorials
Learn how to make a game with our free game engine for...
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Stuck on the very last part of a game changing feature or...
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Make a game with GameMaker, the best free video game engine....
- Teach Game Design
Testing checklist: Test and check the functions of their...
- Forager HopFrog
Winner of GameMaker’s ‘Best Game 2020’ award, Forager is a...
- Undertale
Welcome to UNDERTALE - the friendly RPG where no-one has to...
- GameMaker FAQ
You will need to use GameMaker: Studio 1.4 to update your...
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Apr 28, 2023 · The free version of Game Maker Studio lets users (especially new developers) get in, use a simple drag-and-drop interface, and start making games inside of an hour (see its core arcade game tutorial here). Do note that the free version of the tool does have a fairly strict limitation on how work can be published.
- Danielle Riendeau
- Construct 3
- Gamemaker Studio 2
- Unity
- Godot Engine
- Unreal Engine 5
- Defold
- RPG Maker Mz
- Cerberus X
- Upgrade Your Skills with Free Game-Making Software
No programming needed
Construct 3 is one of the best free game makers, especially if you've never written a line of code in your life. This game development tool is completely GUI-driven, meaning everything is drag-and-drop. You can implement game logic using the design features provided by the game-making software itself. The beauty of Construct 3 is that it can export to dozens of different platforms and formats, and you don't have to change a single thing in your game to accommodate these various options. A no-...
Asset Store
Most programmers only have rudimentary practice in creating game art, music, or animation. But that's fine with Construct 3 because you can always browse and purchase ready-made assets from the Game Developer Asset Store. Most asset packs are just a few dollars or less, but the professional-grade models can run you $30 or more. You can also buy sample games with source, which can help you study and learn new tips and tricks. The free version has all the core features but limits you to 25 even...
Drag-and-drop or code
Like Construct 3, GameMaker Studio 2 allows you to create entire games using nothing more than its drag-and-drop interface for variables and game logic. But unlike Construct 3, GameMaker Studio 2 grants more power through its Game Maker Language, a C-like scripting language with a lot of flexibility. When you’ve finished your game, you can export it to various platforms and formats without adjusting your code: Windows, Mac, Linux, HTML5, Android, iOS, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, Xbox One,...
Built-in advanced features
GameMaker Studio 2 is great because it supports a lot of interesting quality-of-life features right out of the box, such as the ability to add in-app purchases to your game, real-time analytics on how users play your game, source control, multiplayer networking, and extensibility through third-party extensions. It also has built-in editors for images, animations, and shaders. You can use the free version indefinitely but it has limits on how complex your games can be. The Creator plan costs $...
Unity started as a 3D engine in 2005 and eventually added official 2D support in 2013. Perfect for creating games of all shapes and sizes, from mobile 2D casual games to jaw-dropping graphical masterpieces, there's a good chance you've played a game made with Unity.
Like Unity, the Godot enginesupports the creation of both 2D and 3D games. The 2D aspect of this free game maker was carefully designed from the start, which means better performance, fewer bugs, and a cleaner overall workflow.
Epic Games' Unreal Engine 5 (UE5) was announced in June 2020; it became available for early access development in May 2021, and its full release landed in April 2022. Of all the tools on this list, Unreal Engine 5 is the most professional game-making software. It was created from scratch by the geniuses behind the Unreal franchise—people who know w...
Drag-and-drop or code
Use Defold's code editor to add custom logic or the visual and scene editors to drop assets straight into your game. Defold is no exception to the rule that the best game development software lets you export to a wide range of platforms. Use it to publish your game to Nintendo Switch, Android, iOS, macOS, Linux, Windows, Steam, HTML5, or Facebook. Like GameMaker Studio 2, Defold supports a host of advanced features from setup with no further configuration required. The engine has excellent 3D...
Expert-Level documentation
Defold's tutorials, manuals, and forums are a wealth of information waiting for any budding game developer to pick them up and get hacking. The forums and FAQ are especially useful for overcoming specific obstacles; many developers have had the exact same issue you face, and they figured out how to navigate around it, so you can follow their lead. Defold is open-source and a free game maker, provided you obtain their license (for free on Defold's website) and adhere to the license's standards...
No code necessary
RPG Maker MZ is a great free game maker for those who want to create a game without having to learn any programming. Use the map editor, character generator, and database to create any RPG your imagination churns up. If you'd like to incorporate custom code you can do so using plugins—but you can implement most logic using the no-code-required Events system native to RPG Maker MZ.
Asset Store
You'll have hundreds of asset packs to choose from on the Market Place on top of the textures included with your free installation of RPG Maker. You can source music, character sprites, and entire level designs; anything and everything you could need to build an RPG is here. You'll find fewer export options with RPG Maker than the other tools on the list, but the big names are still covered: Windows, macOS, iOS, and Android. There's a 30-day free trial available before you're required to purc...
Light and Intuitive
If you're looking for a lightweight 2D game maker, Cerberus X (CX) has you covered. While not the most advanced client on the list, it's a great choice for beginners to pick up and get their feet wet with a programming language. Use the Cerberus X IDE in tandem with powerful graphics APIs and the Mojo framework to design games and export them to Windows PC, macOS (10.15.x and earlier), Linux, Android, iOS (13.x and earlier), and HTML5. These APIs and the Mojo framework mean you don't need muc...
A handful of free game development software didn't quite make the cut for this selection but are still worth checking out (like Phaser, Stencyl, or GDevelop) if the ones listed above aren't what you're looking for. If you want to get serious about game development, you should study up on some programming. You can have fun while you learn by playing...
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With Game Maker, building your own experiences just got easier. Free to use. No upfront cost or hidden fees—simply download and let your imagination run wild. No coding needed. Build like a pro thanks to easy-to-use features and built-in documentation. Ready to play in minutes. Share with friends and launch your experience into the metaverse ...
Dec 18, 2019 · Buildbox Free Is Now Available! We’ve just released Buildbox Free, a completely free version of our no-code game development software that anyone can download. Our software has unique creation layers that make it super easy to build out your game quickly. No previous coding or design experience is required.
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