Unity, the popular cross-platform game engine, recently announced significant changes to its fee structure that have left indie developers worldwide enraged. The company’s introduction of a new ‘Unity Runtime Fee’ has generated confusion and frustration among developers, as the lack of clarity surrounding the rules could potentially lead to bankruptcy for many. While this fee structure only affects a specific group of developers who have exceeded certain sales or download thresholds, many argue that a revenue share model would have been more suitable.
Effective January 1, 2024, Unity’s new pricing structure introduces install costs based on multiple subscription tiers. Developers relying on Unity Personal and Unity Plus models will be required to pay $0.20 per download once their games surpass $200,000 in revenue and 200,000 installs within a year. For AAA developers utilizing Unity Pro and Unity Enterprise accounts, the thresholds are set at $1 million in revenue and 1 million lifetime installs.
Initially, Unity stated that the fee would also apply to deleting and re-installing a game on the same system. However, the company has since clarified that developers will only be charged for the initial installation. Regardless, if the same game is downloaded onto different systems, developers will face additional charges.
Outrage and Concerns
Indie developers have expressed their anger and concern over Unity’s new fee structure. Many of them fear that the rules could potentially bankrupt them. Some developers have pointed out that pirates could easily download and delete a game repeatedly on various systems, resulting in significant charges for the studios. Unity has referred to its ongoing fraud detection practices as a starting point to prevent developers from being charged for games they never sold. However, developers are still apprehensive about the efficacy of these practices.
Freemium games that generate revenue through in-game purchases are also affected by Unity’s new rules. These games may end up paying more than they earned due to the high number of downloads within a year. However, games downloaded from subscription plans such as Xbox Game Pass will have the fee charged to the distributors, such as Microsoft. Unity states that games offered for charity or as demos are exempt from the fee. However, there is a lack of transparency regarding how Unity tracks these installation numbers, with the company simply claiming the accuracy of their ‘proprietary data model.’
In response to the fee changes, several developers have expressed their dissatisfaction with Unity. Massive Monster, a studio specializing in Unity and known for their critically acclaimed roguelike Cult of the Lamb, has threatened to remove their game from storefronts on January 1. The studio has multiple projects in the works, all of which are now delayed as they explore alternative engines and workflows. Even Innersloth, the developers of the popular game Among Us, confirmed that removing the game from storefronts is under consideration.
Unity Engine has been the birthplace of many successful and beloved indie games, including Genshin Impact, Cuphead, Ori and the Blind Forest, Rust, and Hollow Knight, among others. The potential ramifications of Unity’s fee changes have left fans concerned about the future of these games. For instance, the highly-anticipated sequel to Hollow Knight, Silksong, might face further delays if developer Team Cherry decides to rebuild it on a different engine. The lack of an official comment from the studio has only fueled speculation and worry among fans and developers alike.
Unity’s controversial fee structure changes have sparked outrage and concerns among indie developers worldwide. The lack of clarity surrounding the rules and the potential financial burden on developers has led to widespread criticism. While Unity has emphasized the necessity of the fee to cover installation costs, developers remain skeptical about the effectiveness of fraud detection practices and the transparency of Unity’s tracking methods. The future of many indie games and studios hangs in the balance as developers evaluate their options and consider potential alternatives to Unity’s engine.
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