Image credit: Derek Yu

Here's some upbeat news to end the day on (unless one of the other awful people working here posts something diabolical, once I'm done) - you'll soon be able to publish games created using the latest GameMaker tools for free on PC alongside web and mobile.

Hitherto, game developers have needed a Professional license to sell or monetise GameMaker creations. That changes on 1st January 2027. You'll still need a paid license if you plan to release a GameMaker game on console, but pish posh, those things are going extinct anyway.

In case you're unfamiliar, GameMaker is a series of game creation tools that dates back around 26 years. Current developers YoYo Games – who are now owned by browser company Opera - announced that they would make the tools free for non-commercial use on PC in November 2023, bringing a rare grimace of affection to former RPS archchancellor Graham Smith's time-poisoned visage.…