How to Install GameMaker on Ubuntu 24.04

GameMaker has an Ubuntu IDE in beta, and its current support boundary is Ubuntu 24 LTS for GameMaker 2024.13 and later. Use the Ubuntu build from the GameMaker download page, then complete the Ubuntu setup that GameMaker documents before creating or exporting a project.

Check the Ubuntu release first

Open Settings, choose About, and confirm that your desktop runs Ubuntu 24.04 LTS. GameMaker’s current Ubuntu IDE documentation says that Ubuntu 22 LTS is not supported from GameMaker 2024.13 onward, so an upgrade is the clean starting point if you are still on 22.04.

If you need to inspect your system from a terminal, run the following command. Linux command-line basics can help if the terminal is still unfamiliar.

lsb_release -rs

The command prints the installed Ubuntu release, such as 24.04, without changing the system.

Download the Ubuntu IDE

Sign in to your GameMaker account, select the Ubuntu IDE beta from the GameMaker download page, and keep its installer and runtime downloads in your home directory instead of launching the IDE with sudo.

GameMaker’s free license covers non-commercial use. Commercial publishing and console export use its paid licensing.

Install the Ubuntu build dependencies

GameMaker’s Ubuntu setup requires the Steam Runtime, linuxdeploy, and AppImage tools for running or building Ubuntu projects, so follow the current GameMaker Ubuntu setup instructions rather than copying an older package list.

Use your distribution’s package manager rather than a root login session, and review package management on Linux if you need to check repositories, updates, or package ownership.

Open GameMaker and create a project

Start the Ubuntu IDE from your application menu, sign in when prompted, and create a new project. The IDE is where you add sprites, rooms, objects, sounds, and GameMaker Language code, so begin with a small playable scene before configuring export settings.

For a second engine that has a native Linux workflow, compare the setup with installing Godot on Ubuntu. Godot and GameMaker have different project models, so use that comparison to choose an engine rather than treating it as a replacement step.

Set up Ubuntu as an export device

Open Target Manager in GameMaker and use the Ubuntu Device Manager to add the Ubuntu machine that will run or build your project. GameMaker requires an Ubuntu machine for the Ubuntu target, even when you develop the project on another supported desktop platform.

Before diagnosing an export or startup problem, check graphics support with the Ubuntu graphics-driver guide and inspect CPU, disk, and memory usage for a desktop-level bottleneck.

Build and test the Ubuntu package

Select Ubuntu as the target, build the project, and test the generated package on the Ubuntu device you registered. Treat a successful build and a playable launch as separate checks, because a package can build while a missing runtime component or graphics issue prevents it from starting.

Keep the first test focused on one room, one input path, and one visible action. Once that works, you can add controller testing with the Steam Deck setup walkthrough when your project needs handheld Linux coverage.

Common setup checks

• Ubuntu 24.04 LTS is installed for GameMaker 2024.13 and later.
• The Ubuntu IDE beta is downloaded from your GameMaker account.
• The Steam Runtime, linuxdeploy, and AppImage tools are installed through the current GameMaker setup instructions.
• Your Ubuntu device appears in Target Manager before you build an Ubuntu package.

When the Ubuntu device is visible in Target Manager and a small project launches there, move on to your game’s first complete scene rather than adding export targets you cannot test.