In January 2024, Unity will introduce a new Unity Runtime Fee based on game installs. Prior to this, Unity subscription plans will add cloud-based asset storage, Unity DevOps tools, and AI at runtime at no additional cost.

Effective January 1, 2024, we will introduce a new Unity Runtime Fee that’s based on game installs.

We are introducing a Unity Runtime Fee that is based upon each time a qualifying game is downloaded by an end user. We chose this because each time a game is downloaded, the Unity Runtime is also installed.

Games qualify for the Unity Runtime Fee after two criteria have been met: 1) the game has passed a minimum revenue threshold in the last 12 months, and 2) the game has passed a minimum lifetime install count.

  • Unity Personal and Unity Plus: Those that have made $200,000 USD or more in the last 12 months AND have at least 200,000 lifetime game installs.

  • Unity Pro and Unity Enterprise: Those that have made $1,000,000 USD or more in the last 12 months AND have at least 1,000,000 lifetime game installs.

This means that if you have made more than $200K in the last 12 months and have lifetime installs of over 200K, you’ll have to pay per game install. It won’t affect most people but this sounds outrageous. It’s a good time to be a Godot enthusiast. Unity really is insanely desperate these days.

  • @bikesarethefuture
    5•9 months ago

    Are they not gonna backtrack this? People can install a million times your game without spending a dime

  • @[email protected]
    1•9 months ago

    What are your thoughts on this?

    I am being really concerned. I am not affected by this nor will be for the near future, BUT. For the past 5 years I’ve been studying with Unity, planning to work on it professionally. With some earlier decisions and now with this… I don’t know… This made me seriously consider that this is not a serious or ethical company and I just can’t base my career on this instability. I’m starting to research Godot. I know of Unreal’s popularity but I read Godot is open source so…

    I really hope to read others’ thoughts on this.

    • @popcar2OP
      1•9 months ago

      There are a lot of thoughts floating on the internet and while this won’t kill Unity since it won’t affect people making under $200k, it does signify that Unity is a sinking ship. They’ve already been on a silent decline as Unreal has become the best choice for 3D while Unity stagnated, and other engines like Godot are quickly catching up.

      I did write a blog post on transitioning from Unity to Godot: https://popcar.bearblog.dev/unity-to-godot-what-to-expect/

      • @[email protected]
        1•9 months ago

        Thanks, that was somewhat comforting! I find the “cheapness” of everything quite appealing, and of course the transition from C# hugely intimidating!! But overall your post gave me hope as to what to expect, despite the obstacles. I’ll start my first project this week, since the installation is quite light.