In a shocking move that has sent shockwaves through the gaming community, Unity, the renowned game engine, has announced a controversial new policy that will see developers charged for every game installation. This fee applies not only to new installations but even to players reinstalling games they already own on different devices. Understandably, developers are furious about this unexpected turn of events.
Unity Technologies unveiled this highly unpopular policy change in a recent blog post, setting off a storm of anger, confusion, and disbelief among the game development community. Effective January 1st, Unity Technologies will impose a Unity Runtime Fee on all games created with Unity. To be subject to this fee, games must have surpassed specific minimum revenue thresholds within the last year and achieved a minimum lifetime install count.
Currently, the Runtime Fee thresholds begin at $200,000 in revenue and 200,000 lifetime game installs, depending on the Unity version used. Fees are calculated based on the number of installs exceeding the threshold, with developers facing charges of up to $0.20 per install.
While this fee might not seem substantial on the surface, its potential impact on numerous game studios cannot be underestimated. Unity has been the foundation for countless games, with titles like Genshin Impact, Among Us, Cult of the Lamb, and many more falling under its umbrella.
Unity justified this change by stating, “We chose this because each time a game is downloaded, the Unity Runtime is also installed. Also, we believe that an initial install-based fee allows creators to keep the ongoing financial gains from player engagement, unlike a revenue share.”
However, this new approach has sparked widespread criticism for several reasons:
1. Impact on Demos and Refunds: Developers have raised concerns about the policy’s impact on game demos and refund processes. With installation fees, even demos could result in additional costs for developers.
2. Subscription Services: Services like Xbox Game Pass, which offer access to multiple games, raise questions about how installation fees will be managed. Unity clarified that subscription services will bear these costs, not developers.
3. Free-to-Play Games: Developers of free-to-play games, who rely on in-game purchases, are worried about how this policy might affect their business models.
4. Charity Bundles: While Unity intends to exempt games in charity bundles from fees, the mechanics of determining which installations fall under this category remain uncertain.
5. Software Piracy: Unity has not provided a clear strategy for dealing with software piracy, a significant concern among developers.
Unity initially faced backlash for stating that users reinstalling a game on the same machine would trigger multiple charges. However, they later revised this stance, clarifying that developers would only be charged once in such scenarios. Nevertheless, charges would still apply when the same game is installed on different devices.
A concerning issue raised by developers is the potential for “install-bombing,” where disgruntled users repeatedly delete and install games, potentially bankrupting smaller studios. Unity has since adjusted its policy to charge only once per machine to address this concern.
Furthermore, Unity’s data collection methods for installation numbers have raised questions. Unity declined to provide transparency regarding its installation data, leaving developers without a means to verify the accuracy of the data presented.
In a surprising twist, this fee structure excludes developers using Unity for film, education, and even gambling, leaving game developers feeling unfairly treated. Unity CEO John S. Riccitiello’s sale of 2,000 shares shortly before the announcement has fueled speculation that the company was aware of the controversy this move would generate.
Unity’s decision has prompted many game developers to consider switching to alternative game engines. Given the investments of time and training made in Unity, this is not a choice taken lightly. However, Unity’s recent policy change has undermined developers’ trust in the platform, leaving them with a difficult decision to make.
In summary, Unity’s introduction of installation fees has ignited a firestorm of criticism and uncertainty among developers, who are now questioning their future with the game engine giant. Unity faces a daunting challenge in regaining the trust it has lost in the wake of this controversial move.
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