Table of Contents

Getting Started

Try GDevelop online or download the desktop version

When you have downloaded GDevelop, open the installer and install the software.:

  • On Windows machines, after launching the installer, use the GDevelop icon on your desktop to launch it. You can also uncompress the installer file (like a zip file) and put the software in any folder.
  • On MacOS, launch the DMG file, drag GDevelop into Applications, and open GDevelop from the Applications folder.
  • On Linux, uncompress the archive and launch the executable.

Once the application is launched, you will be presented with the start page. The start page allows you to open an existing project or to create a new project.

Create a new project

To create a new project, select “Create A New Project” on the start page.

A new window will open. It presents a list of options, allowing you to choose from templates/examples or to create a blank project. The examples are showing how to use a particular feature, while starters are more advanced games that you can try, study and modify.

Selecting the blank project includes no assets, events or scenes - it's an entirely empty game.

At the top of the window, you can select the location where would you like to store your new project.

Once you have selected the default location for your project, click on the name of a starter template or an example to open the game.

By default, new games that you create are saved in a folder called “GDevelop Projects”, located in your “Documents” folder.

Open an existing project

To re-open an existing project, select “Open a Project” on the start page.

Next, browse your local file system to select the project file. If you're using the GDevelop online version, you can save and load a file from Google Drive. GDevelop 5 project files are by default saved as “.json” files.

If you're a GDevelop 4 user, you can learn here how to save your project to open it with GDevelop 5.

Next step: start with tutorials

Continue reading the basic concepts to know how to use GDevelop.

The tutorials, along with the documentation, are the best ways to learn. It is highly recommended that you read and follow a tutorial!

Learn more about GDevelop

For further information on how to use GDevelop, visit the following pages where everything is explained in more detail:

Be sure to also check the examples bundled with GDevelop! They are a good way to learn about the different capabilities of the software.