Unity Software, a leading provider of game development tools, has recently unveiled its updated pricing and packaging plans that are set to come into effect on January 1, 2024. The new pricing plan introduces a fee called the Unity Runtime Fee, which will be applicable to developers of high-performing games each time their title is installed by a user or player.
The Unity Runtime Fee will only be imposed on games that have surpassed a minimum revenue threshold and lifetime install count. The specific thresholds vary depending on the version of Unity used. For Unity Personal and Plus, the thresholds are $200,000 or more in revenue and 200,000 or more lifetime installs. On the other hand, the Pro and Enterprise versions require $1,000,000 or more in revenue and 1,000,000 or more lifetime installs.
Developers will be charged a fee between $0.01 and $0.20 per install over the threshold, depending on the version of Unity they are using. However, some developers have expressed concerns about the lack of transparency in how Unity will track and determine the fees owed.
It is worth noting that the new pricing plan does not address alternative methods of obtaining games, such as subscription services, free-to-play games, or piracy. Furthermore, if a player deletes a game and re-installs it, or installs the game on multiple devices, it will count as multiple installations and may result in additional charges for the developer.
Nevertheless, games and bundles sold for charity will be exempt from these fees. However, questions have been raised about how Unity will distinguish between standard sales and charity sales.
Unity has assured that the majority of its developers will not be significantly affected by the new pricing plan, as the thresholds have been deliberately set high to avoid burdening smaller developers. However, independent developers have taken to social media to express their concerns about the potential financial impact on their businesses.
The announcement of Unity Software’s updated pricing and packaging plans initially caused a surge in its stock but later experienced fluctuations before the stock market closed. Unity is a widely-used engine used in popular games such as Sea of Stars, Pokรฉmon Go, Call of Duty: Mobile, Cuphead, and Cities: Skylines.
Overall, this new pricing plan has generated mixed reactions, with some developers expressing concerns about transparency and financial implications, while others believe it will not significantly impact them. As the implementation date approaches, the industry will be closely monitoring the effects on game development and revenue.
