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GameMaker

Veteran 2D engine behind Undertale and Hyper Light Drifter

freemium Free tier exports to GX.games; paid plans from $5/month Solo-dev friendly

GameMaker is a 2D-focused engine with its own scripting language (GML) and a visual drag-and-drop system. Proven track record with hit indie titles. Free tier available with limited export options.

Highlights

  • + Proven by hit games (Undertale, Hyper Light Drifter, Katana ZERO)
  • + GML is approachable for beginners with C-like syntax
  • + Excellent 2D performance and sprite handling
  • + Room editor with tile layers and collision masks

Limitations

  • Free tier limited to web export only
  • 3D support is minimal and hacky
  • Console export requires expensive enterprise license

Platforms

Windows macOS Web Mobile