Official Important updates to the Unity Runtime Fee policy

Do not really see it as an improvement. The same ppl stay in charge, hoping that ppl will forget about this in a few years so they can try again. Do NOT get baited.

 

what counts as engagement though?

 

It sounds good in principle so far.

HOWEVER

Remember - this is just a blog post. Blog posts and fireside chats HAVE NO LEGAL STANDING. As we've found out to our cost based on their past promises.

I will not be trusting anything until the ToS changes to enshrine our rights to continue using older Unity versions are delivered and set in stone.

 

2.5% at least is a good starting point, but the install fee malarky isn't going to sit well with the trust you've already broken, it needs to go.

Furthermore, are you going to address the shady removal of the github TOS tracking at all?

The Unity Plus removal is still a downgrade for developers who have projects in the works as the new splash screen removal is only for people who move over to the new install fee/rev share terms. Please consider bringing this back, stop punishing developers who have stuck with you for the last decade, this needs to stop.

 

This is nothing we were asking for. The fee is there. Gone Unity Plus. The only good thing is the splash screen removed in personal.

I think you Unity haven't learnt the lesson. We have talked, you haven't listened. Bye, it was good while it lasted.

 

"We will make sure that you can stay on the terms applicable for the version of Unity editor you are using"

And what are the terms for 2022 LTS and 2023 LTS?

 

Even stone gets erroded over time.

 

The wording is confusing but it seems this will apply to games released with 2023LTS in the year 2024 and onwards.

EDIT: Missed the FAQ link. This is indeed the case.

 

The trust has already been broken...

 

No mention of Unity Plus, smallest devs will have to pay almost 2k / year to get rid of the splash screen.

Edit, I'm blind.

 

From here: https://unity.com/pricing-updates
"Only those created with or upgraded to the Long Term Support (LTS) version releasing in 2024 (or later), currently referred to as the 2023 LTS will be impacted."

So 2022 should not be affected by the fees.

 

Splash screen removal on Personal

 

Splash screen is being removed from the free edition too.

 

Estimator is also on-line https://unity.com/runtime-fee-estimator

 

Great job not reading anything. Unity Personal is free (no subscription and no runtime fee), doesn't require the splash, and has a financial threshold of $200K. It's basically Unity Plus but now free.

 

But current TOS still sucks.

 

The new policy is better than I expected, but I advise you to remove the runtime fee name, the community is very hostile to it.

 

well its not bad offer..
but really the CEO's who put out the initial offer should be kicked out, nearly killed unity,
and damaged unity for long term in any case. (not to mention all the stress caused)

 

This is fine for me. It means I will not be out of income come january 2024. I wish none of this happened, it was a stressful few days, but all in all, if unity sticks to the terms of the blog, I am okay. I have estimated my risks and will remain a customer.

 

Yep terms are better but the issue is they various trust beaches during all this.

Change of TOS
Retroactive application
Etc

 

i wouldn't call this good news, since this everything is on top of your plan. cosmetics and leaves a huge question mark, what they will do next.

 

These new terms sound good and fair to me. Seems like Unity saved itself from certain doom

 

This is way better than I had assumed. Awesome save, Unity!

 

Yes. This is crucial to remember.

Anyone using Unity currently is still bound by the shady altered ToS terms with version protections removed.

Even after promises on blog posts and fireside chats, nothing has changed until ToS has been updated.

 

I think it's adequate response from Unity. Back to game design then

 

Is splash screen removal coming to current and older versions of Unity that are pre-2023LTS?

 

My concerns seem like they are going to get addressed so I'll be waiting for updates on the ToS side of things.
Thanks everyone for the thrills.

 

Thanks to everyone internally who fought for this!

 

So we all drop to Personal then…?

 

yeah, splash screen is now optional.. which is good,
but i wouldn't had mind paying for Plus for that : / well thats unitys loss, going to use free then.

 

https://github.com/Unity-Technologies/TermsOfService

EDIT:
https://twitter.com/unity/status/1705317639478751611
Yikes

 

Splash Screen!

 

I think this is the best they realistically could do with what they had given the business, direction and management situation.
I imagine huge bloody battles were fought for this so I just want to thank all the Unity employees who sacrificed their week to make this happen.

 

It seems to state specifically to only be removable on "2023 LTS and later":

 

I appreciate Unity for being receptive to feedback from its users. The updated pricing model strikes a balance of fairness and transparency.

 

Great question, would like to know this as well

 

Well done Unity. Well done.

 

What is Your purpose of keeping "Runtime fee" term still in this plan? Cant u just make it 2.5% rev share?

What do u plan to do, make ppl get used to it to this term over the years and then what?

 

If that was the initial proposal you would have avoided all this.

But now, we know the various "factors" that resulted in the initial pitch are still in the company, therefore this isn't a substantive change.

It is good news for those of us that are stuck with half finished projects, but big picture, I think people should still be planning to leave for other engines.

 

Good enough for me. And we will be here if they try any stunt like that again in the future

 

First? Ah just kidding, thanks for the update!

 

https://unity.com/pricing-updates
As far as I read, it only applies to versions 2024 and above, which is a pity.

 

That statement is astounding. This is a MASSIVE improvement. The last thing I want to see is an adjustment that makes it impossible for Unity to legally change anything retroactively on EULAs, and enforces the "our changes only apply to future releases from now on".

 

In some respects, this is much more preferable to the previous iteration of the changes. Had this been the original announcement, I doubt there'd have been as much of furore as there ended up. Personal having a removable splash screen as well as a higher cap that is based on revenue alone is pretty good.

However, I still have to question the obsession with the Runtime stuff. As I read it, it relies on a lot of assumption that can't easily be given a number. What is the reason for doing it this way instead of simply relying on revenue?

 

Thanks, Unity. The fees are reasonable and well thought out -- at least for me. Obviously, I can't speak for others who may have alternative licensing expectations.

I appreciate that fees are now based on unique user engagements instead of installations. Since this data is self-reported, I am confident the engagement numbers I report will be accurate.

I am grateful that we now have an option of choosing a royalty or engagement fee -- this addresses my concerns around F2P.

Ultimately, you'll have to find a way convince users this isn't a noose that tightens over time.