Sometimes, the projects we start as hobbies can become far bigger than we ever imagined. After all, Walt Disney learned to draw in his spare time, and now it feels like his company owns the entire planet.
That’s why it’s important to know which platforms your game engine can export to before you start creating your game. You never know if you’re sitting on the next Undertale.
With that in mind, we’re here to provide you with a comprehensive list of every platform you can export to with GameMaker.
Mobile | Console | Desktop |
|---|---|---|
Export to Nintendo Switch
Fancy seeing your game alongside Breath of the Wild and Mario Kart 8?
GameMaker has supported Nintendo Switch exports since 2018, with titles like Toodee and Topdee already available in the Nintendo eShop.
You’ll need to register as an approved Nintendo developer before your creations can be added to the eShop.
Who knows, maybe your game will be the next indie hit to receive the Nintendo click treatment, just like BAFTA award-winning Chicory: A Colorful Tale.
Chicory: A Colorful Tale Switch announcement trailer
Export to PlayStation 4 and PlayStation 5
PlayStation is one of our longest-standing partners. While the latest versions of GameMaker only support exports to the PlayStation 4 and 5, you’ll find GameMaker titles on the PS3 and the criminally underrated PS Vita.
Before you can export to PS4 and PS5, you’ll need to register as an official PlayStation Partner by filling out a Sony Licence Enquiry Form. We’ll receive a notification alerting us to your licence request, and be in touch to confirm your details and set up your export.
Once that’s done, your games can be featured on the PlayStation Store alongside the likes of Tamashii and Hyper Light Drifter.
Hyper Light Drifter PS4 announcement trailer
Export to Xbox Series X|S
The Xbox franchise has a proud history of featuring indie games, but ol’ Billy Gates won’t just let anyone publish to his consoles.
You’ll need to sign up to the ID@Xbox program and create a support ticket with GameMaker, which we cover in more detail in our Xbox guide.
When the process is complete, you’ll be able to export to the Microsoft Store alongside indie hits like Undertale and Forager.
Undertale Xbox announcement trailer
Export to HTML5
Export your game to HTML5 to embed them on web pages, or publish them to stores and platforms such as Itch.io and Play iDevGames.
Here are the Helpdesk articles that can help you export and upload HTML5 games from GameMaker:
Export to Steam
As gamers, we’re all aware of Steam’s infamously laissez-faire approach to content curation, but for developers, it means you’re almost guaranteed to be allowed to publish your game to millions of daily users. Swings and roundabouts, right?
Our Helpdesk guide takes you through the process of exporting GameMaker games to Steam. You can also export to Steam Deck using the Windows orUbuntu targets.
You’ll find dozens of GameMaker titles available on Steam, including the adorable Webbed and the adorable-to-a-very-specific-demographic Sucker For Love: First Date.
Sucker For Love: First Date, developed by Akabaka
Export to mobile devices
Mobile gaming has come a long way from the days of Snake on the Nokia 3310. These days, your Auntie June is fast approaching 1,000 hours on Candy Crush, and over ten million people have spent their idle hours helping cats make soup.
If you’re looking to develop a game for mobile, GameMaker supports exports to both Google’s Android and Apple’s iOS operating systems.
As part of our mobile support, you can also export to Amazon Fire, Android TV, and tvOS.
Export to PC platforms
If you ever spent your IT classes playing old flash games behind the teacher’s back, you’ll understand the importance of a good desktop game.
GameMaker offers exports to three major PC platforms:
Export to Opera GX.games
Fancy putting your game in front of over eight million people?
You can do exactly that with Opera’s GX.games. You’ll find some really clever and addictive games on the platform, including the winner of our 2023 Best of GX.games Award, Super Chicken Jumper.
GX.games exports are available to all users of GameMaker, from our Free package right through to Enterprise.
Super Chicken Jumper, developed by SewerCat Studio
Which platforms can I export to with my GameMaker account?
Each of our GameMaker packages allows you to export to at least one platform. Here’s the breakdown:
Free | Indie | Enterprise |
|---|---|---|
Non-Commercial Licence | Commercial Licence | Commercial Licence |
GX.games | GX.games | GX.games |
Desktop | Desktop | Desktop |
Web | Web | Web |
Mobile | Mobile | Mobile |
Console |
Our GameMaker tiers are structured to support you as you grow as a developer. Create your game for free, then move up the tiers when you’re ready to share it with the world.
Whether you’re making a 2D platformer, a daily puzzler, or a Cthulhu dating sim, with GameMaker, you’re bound to find the perfect place to export your game.
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