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.
So today Unity announced changes in how they are going to monetize their game engine, and it is, rightfully might I add, poorlyrecieved
Here is how much youtuber Dani would have to pay unity if they consider his games to gain over $200k in revenue
Now I don’t know how much tracking crackers and re-packers remove from the games getting cracked, but if unity were to count cracked games as a valid install (and they will count every install of a game they are aware of), thn piracy could seriously bankrupt indie devs. Like, not just losing them revenue, but actively losing them money. While piracy is already in an ethical grey area, I think that is just a bit too much.
So, I want to raise awareness of this, and with it I have 2 questions to ask:
Do the people that crack games make sure to remove the ability of unity tracking cracked installs?
If the answer to the previous question is “no”, how do we make them aware of the fact that it is probably for the better if they do this?
That’s my understanding as well. You could have a game on Steam that you haven’t even updated in years, and then you suddenly have to start paying for new installs from existing owners.
Actually, it’s potentially even worse. You could have a game that you released and then later removed from every storefront, but if people keep installing it, Unity will demand payment.
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Same guy: https://kotaku.com/unity-john-riccitiello-monetization-mobile-ironsource-1849179898
Hindsight is 20/20, but maybe devs should have seen this coming 😑
The problem, from what I understand, is that the fees apply retroactive. So your 2018 Unity game will now have to start paying
That’s my understanding as well. You could have a game on Steam that you haven’t even updated in years, and then you suddenly have to start paying for new installs from existing owners.
Actually, it’s potentially even worse. You could have a game that you released and then later removed from every storefront, but if people keep installing it, Unity will demand payment.