What software do I need to participate effectively?

Available LIVE classes will specify what software is required to complete the lesson. Most software used, such as Blender, Unity, Krita, PyCharm, or Visual Studio, is either open-source or has community versions available that students can download for free.

Other software, such as GameMaker 2, Photoshop, Illustrator, or Substance Painter, usually have free trials available. Once the trial period expires, it is up to the student to decide if he or she would like to purchase a subscription or license for the software.

A LIVE subscription does not include software.

Can I use a Chromebook or a MacBook Air to participate?

While you can watch livestreams on a Chromebook or MacBook Air, these computers have severe limitations on installing software.

To complete the majority of the projects taught in the livestreams, a student would need a more powerful computer that has sufficient hard drive space and RAM to run software like Unity, GameMaker 2, PyCharm, Krita, and Unreal Engine 4.

How much does software used in the livestreams cost?

Game-U LIVE always looks to use mostly free and open-source software. It's important to us that students be able to work on projects with as few restrictions as possible.

What kind of computer do I need for LIVE?

You can stream LIVE classes from any connected device, even your phone.

However, to do more than watch the LIVE class, you will need a laptop or desktop computer that is powerful enough to run the programs used in the classes you choose to join. We recommend checking the system requirements for the software you will need to see if your computer is suitable for a LIVE class, as the definition of "powerful enough" will vary from class to class.

Most software system requirements can be easily found on the software's website.

Overall, it is recommended that students participating in LIVE classes have access to a computer (laptop or desktop) with the following technical specifications:

• An Intel i5 Core (or higher)
• Minimum 250 GB hard drive (preferably solid state)
• Minimum 8 GB of RAM (16 GB preferred)

Need more info? Check out our other FAQ pages!