GameMaker for Education

Schools and universities around the world use GameMaker to teach students of all ages how to code their own video games.

Get instant access to a suite of educational game design resources that you can use and modify at your discretion.

TEACH GAME DESIGN FOR FREE WITH GAMEMAKER

step 1

read our setup guides

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step 2

create an account

step 3

create a seat login for your account

step 4

download and start teaching

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GameMaker Software

Learning Resources

Desktop Exports

Web Export

Mobile Exports

Console Export*

Non-Commercial License

gamemaker education license

Get your students’ attention with GameMaker

If you’re using it to teach, it’s completely free, including all export options (for Non-Commercial use).

Free classroom resources, including tutorials, guides and posters.

Designed to deliver on your curricula and required educational outcomes.

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teach coding with gamemaker

GameMaker helps you teach classes of any age how to code with either GML Visual or GML Code.

GML Visual allows students to make games using pre-built, drag-and-drop coding elements. With GML Code, students learn how to write their own code from scratch.

privacy

We take privacy and responsible data management very seriously. Our Educator License does not collect or store your students’ personal information.

gamemaker coding lessons

The game design courses that are included in your GameMaker Educator Licence come with all relevant learning materials, project files, lesson plans, homework sheets, and more.

All of these materials can be modified at your discretion to create the perfect learning environment for your class.

GameMaker also offers dozens of written guides and video tutorials to help students bring their video game ideas to life.

space rocks

classroom posters

why teach game design with gamemaker

In 2019, 77% of game designer teachers polled by GameMaker said teaching STEM subjects through game development was either ‘extremely effective’ or ‘very effective’ at engaging with students. GameMaker is also the game engine of choice for the New Digital Technology GCSE in Wales.

Game development teaches students social intelligence, critical thinking, and problem-solving skills; they learn how to work collaboratively, to see failures as opportunities for discovery, and the importance of iterative improvement.

At GameMaker, we believe that game development can help students find their voice and the courage to use it.

"Space Bubbles is good as it has structured content and there are good video tutorials that pupils enjoy dipping into."

- Gareth Rae (Computer Science Teacher in South Ayrshire, UK)

"[My students] love GameMaker. It’s empowering, it makes them feel like they can do something. Unlike other courses, they can see the results immediately, not have to wait until they are in the world of work."

- Hana AlJaberi

"GameMaker provides a wonderful opportunity for students to jump right into game design and development while learning valuable programming constructs."

- Steve I. (William Annin Middle School Basking Ridge, NJ, USA)

"GameMaker makes it very easy to upload your own images and use them in your games. I would recommend this product to others who teach computer science."

- Kevin P. (Brentwood High School Pittsburgh, PA, USA)

"GameMaker basically taught me how to make games."

- Carlos Azuaga (CZAzuaga)

"GameMaker is an excellent programming tool for students that have moved past basic programming tools. What's unique and wonderful about GameMaker is games can be designed at many different skill levels."

- Susan R. (Lebanon High School Lebanon, NH, USA)

"Honestly, without GameMaker, I probably wouldn't even have gotten to the hobby stage of game development. It gave me an approachable way to get into game dev and realise my ideas, that I otherwise couldn't have."

- Benjamin Kiefer (BenStar)