The Game Maker 8 Upgrade Process

December 22nd, 2009 by Philip Gamble | Categories: Game Maker 8

Gone is the nasty grey upgrade nag screen of Game Maker 7 and in its place is the colourful Game Maker 8 launch message.  The purpose is still the same though, to encourage Game Maker users to part with $25 for the full, upgraded, Pro version of the software.

“Upgrading the Lite Edition to the Pro Edition costs only 20 Euro or US $25 (subject to change). This is a one-time fee that will at least be valid for all versions 8.x of Game Maker.”  Game Maker 8 documentation

If you wish to use Game Maker 8 Pro you will need to buy a $25 activation code.  Registered, and unregistered, copies of Game Maker 7 will continue to work as they do currently.

Regardless of whether you are upgrading or purchasing the software for the first time you are allowed FIVE activations of the software through the Softwrap DRM protection.

If you purchased Game Maker 7 in the year 2009:
In this case you qualify for a free Game Maker 8 upgrade.  When Game Maker launches click “Enter Activation Code” where you will be prompted to enter your Game Maker 7 activation code.  Search your emails for it. Upgrades will only be honoured upto March 31st 2010.

If you have not purchased Game Maker in the year 2009:
The cheapest way to purchase Game Maker 8 is using USD as the currency.  Other currency options are €20 (equivalent to $28.61)  and £20 (equivalent to $32.02).  Payments can be made through a credit or debit card (via PayPal) or the funds in your PayPal account.

The process is straightforward, although the embedded IE frame is slightly too small for the PayPal pages to appear properly.  After you have entered your details and confirmed payment your copy of Game Maker 8 should automatically upgrade itself to Game Maker 8 Pro and you will be sent an email (to your PayPal email address) which will include your purchase reference number.  Don’t lose it.

  1. December 23rd, 2009 at 18:43
    Reply | Quote | #1

    You spelt ‘lose’ as ‘loose’. Common mistake.

  2. December 23rd, 2009 at 18:46
    Reply | Quote | #2

    You can pay by debit card without PayPal :)

  3. James
    December 24th, 2009 at 23:04
    Reply | Quote | #3

    Broxter :You spelt ‘lose’ as ‘loose’. Common mistake.

    You spelled ‘spelled’ as ‘spelt’. Common mistake.

  4. Jasper
    December 31st, 2009 at 19:09
    Reply | Quote | #4

    Huh!? “Regardless of whether you are upgrading or purchasing the software for the first time you are allowed FIVE activations of the software through the Softwrap DRM protection.” Are you sure about this? My mail says: “Having purchased this software title through Softwrap Limited you are free to use it on your PC only, however you may also transfer your license free of charge once to your laptop or any other machine.”. I’m confused :s

  5. December 31st, 2009 at 22:46
    Reply | Quote | #5

    That is just a “please don’t give this to all your friends plea”. You can activate the software 5 times so you could, for example, install it on 5 computers in your house or if you need to wipe your computer and wish to reactive GM that will also count as one activation.

  6. scott
    January 7th, 2010 at 01:42
    Reply | Quote | #6

    Is there a way to activate to pro for free?

  7. Tom
    January 27th, 2010 at 10:25
    Reply | Quote | #8

    If you purchased Game Maker 7 in the year 2009:
    In this case you qualify for a free Game Maker 8 upgrade.

    It’s non sense. Why only 2009? Why I cant upgrade my GM7 for free or for eg. 1$. I bought GM7 in Nov 2007. It’s DISCRIMINATION!

  8. Mike
    January 29th, 2010 at 13:49
    Reply | Quote | #9

    @James
    He’s actually correct with ‘spelt’.

  9. bh
    February 6th, 2010 at 10:29

    I’ve just purchased GM8, and GMLite didn’t automatically upgrade to the Pro version, as it is supposed to, according to this blog post. And the purchase ref/activation code isn’t working either. Not a happy camper, me.

  10. akhil
    February 10th, 2010 at 15:58

    will any one will tell me the code

  11. akhil
    February 10th, 2010 at 15:58

    help help
    help

  12. akhil
    February 10th, 2010 at 16:00

    i need game makar 8 pro for freeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee

  13. akhil
    February 10th, 2010 at 16:01

    pleas i dont have money

  14. akhil
    February 10th, 2010 at 16:03

    i am from bharat 25$s are to much for me it means 1000rs

  15. akhil
    February 10th, 2010 at 16:04

    i am 13years old i can make good games

  16. akhil
    February 10th, 2010 at 16:06

    u can get it form my sellings

  17. akhil
    February 10th, 2010 at 16:08

    i want to make 3d games ok tell me to hack

  18. February 10th, 2010 at 16:08

    ban him!

  19. akhil
    February 10th, 2010 at 16:08

    i want to make 3d games ok tell me to whoooo to hack hack

  20. February 10th, 2010 at 16:08
  21. akhil
    February 10th, 2010 at 16:10

    thanks man

  22. Lord000
    March 2nd, 2010 at 10:50

    Will i be able to buy a activation key, use it for my copy of GM7(this week march 2010), then later on download GM8 and use the same key?

  23. Lord000
    March 2nd, 2010 at 12:38

    Thanks. for school heh, they run GM7 there.

  24. Lord000
    March 3rd, 2010 at 07:36

    =( they are marking the assignments in GM7 (rrargh) so is it impossible to run GM7, and when thing pops up, buy the key?? pls reply quick

  25. UzuNaruto98
    March 18th, 2010 at 13:50

    can someone plz put the activation code plz cuz i bought gamemaker from the shop in kuwait they said it is with activation code but when I opened it it didnt have the code i took it back to him he told we dont sell game maker so plz give it to me on my email Lordsomy@hotmail.com please.

    Thank you

    • March 18th, 2010 at 14:52

      Game Maker is not sold in shops, it can only be purchased online. Are you confusing this with 3D Game Maker by thegamecreators?

  26. Marcus Graham
    March 20th, 2010 at 04:39

    I went to GM8, entered my GM7 pro code and it failed. I fit the criteria. I purchased in 2009, why is it not working!!!!

    • March 20th, 2010 at 12:04

      You will have to contact YoYo Games or Softwrap. I suggest you do it quickly as the free upgrade expires at the end of this month.

  27. April 1st, 2010 at 08:38

    it is good fun

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