Unity reveals new developer policy after controversial changes
Unity reveals new developer policy after controversial changes
Unity Revises Runtime Fee Policy: A Gamers’ Sigh of Relief!
Unity, the beloved game development engine, has heard the cries of the gaming community and decided to pull back on its new Runtime Fee policy. Thank the gaming gods! No longer will game developers be charged per game install. Instead, Unity Personal and Plus users can breathe a sigh of relief as they will not be charged at all. And for those using Pro or Enterprise, they have the option to choose a 2.5% revenue share instead. It’s a win-win for everyone!
In an open letter penned by the ever-enlightened Unity Create lead, Marc Whitten, he outlined the changes with a touch of humility and understanding. The new Runtime Fee policy will only apply to upcoming versions of Unity, specifically starting with the next Long Term Support (LTS) version in 2024. But fear not, fellow gamers! Any game made with prior versions of Unity, including the current 2022 LTS, will not be affected by these changes. The best part? Only games made with Unity Pro or Enterprise will be subject to any fees. That means all those indie developers and small studios can keep their hard-earned cash to themselves.
But wait, there’s more! Unity has revamped the fee structure and changed the language from “installs” to “initial engagements.” Fancy, huh? Essentially, this refers to “the moment that a distinct end user successfully and legitimately acquires, downloads, or engages with a game powered by the Unity Runtime, for the first time in a distribution channel.” Clear as mud, right? Well, at least Unity has decided to base the Runtime Fee on self-reported data rather than gathering it themselves. How exactly self-reporting will work is still a mystery, but Unity promises to work closely with customers and partners to make it as painless as possible. The power of trust, my friends!
Unity, in a quest to regain the trust it may have lost along the way, has taken a step back and offered a heartfelt apology. In the open letter, Whitten humbly admitted, “I want to start with simply this: I am sorry.” We forgive you, Unity. They acknowledged the need for better communication and understanding with the gaming community. After all, we gamers are the ones who make Unity great. They have vowed to listen to our feedback and work hard to regain our trust. Now that’s what I call a true apology!
The reactions from game developers have been as varied as character builds in an RPG. Some have breathed a sigh of relief, like developer and consultant Rami Ismail, who took to Twitter to express his optimistic view of the changes. He said, “You know what, on first glance, I think this works?” A voice of reason amidst the chaos, indeed! However, not everyone is so quick to forgive and forget. Many developers, like Gloomwood dev Dillion Rogers, haven’t repaired their trust issues with Unity just yet. Rogers reminded us all of the lingering skepticism, tweeting, “You can’t promise away the notion that you won’t quietly remove important clauses from the ToS after you’ve already tried it. That damage is permanent.” Ouch! Unity, it seems like you still have some bridges to mend.
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As a result of this debacle, many developers have already made plans to switch to competing engines. It’s like a huge migration, but without all the birds. For instance, Caves of Qud developer Brian Bucklew has even documented his journey of switching the roguelike to Godot. Talk about dedication! And let’s not forget about Epic’s Unreal Engine, which has caught the attention of developers who are seeking a more trustworthy alternative.
Despite the initial misstep, Unity has shown a willingness to listen and adapt. In the grand scheme of things, sometimes we all have to stumble a bit before finding our footing. With these revisions to their Runtime Fee policy, Unity has taken a step in the right direction. So, let’s put on our gaming gear and continue our digital adventures with Unity, knowing that they’re working hard to earn our trust and keep the gaming community thriving!
Remember: The game of life can be tough, but with Unity by our side, we’ll always respawn!
