Unity Revises Runtime Fee Policies After Backlash
Game engine maker Unity has made significant changes to its recently announced Unity Runtime Fee policies following backlash from game developers. In a blog post, Unity Create President Marc Whitten apologized for not considering developer feedback before implementing the new fee model. The initial fees raised concerns among smaller developers about profitability under the new system.
As part of the revisions, developers using Unity Personal will not have to pay any fees. Unity Pro and Unity Enterprise developers will only be charged the runtime fee if they install the 2024 long term support (LTS) version of Unity. Games built on older versions will not incur the fee.
For those using the 2024 version of Unity, they can choose between a 2.5% revenue share or an install-based fee calculation. Whitten assured developers that they would always be billed the lesser amount and that fees would be based on self-reported data.
Developer Reactions and Concerns
The changes were welcomed by WB Games writer Mitch Dyer on Twitter, although he hinted at potential future adjustments by Unity. Indie developer Rebekah Saltsman pointed out that console developers do not have control over the engine version their games launch on, contrary to what Unity implied.
Rival game engine Godot experienced a surge in Google search interest when Unity’s runtime fee was announced. Godot creator Juan Linietsky praised Unity for retracting fees for current and older versions but argued that using Unity still poses significant risks for developers.
Hot Take: A Step in the Right Direction, But Concerns Remain
Unity’s revisions to its runtime fee policies are a positive response to developer feedback and alleviate some of the initial concerns. The exemption of fees for Unity Personal users and the choice between revenue share and install-based fees for the 2024 version are welcome changes.
However, concerns raised by developers about lack of control over engine versions and potential abuse of dominant position by Unity still need to be addressed. Unity should continue to engage with developers and address these issues to ensure a fair and sustainable ecosystem for all parties involved.
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