Search Unity

  1. Megacity Metro Demo now available. Download now.
    Dismiss Notice
  2. Unity support for visionOS is now available. Learn more in our blog post.
    Dismiss Notice

Is unity actually free for commercial use?

Discussion in 'General Discussion' started by droid15, Aug 15, 2010.

  1. droid15

    droid15

    Joined:
    Aug 14, 2010
    Posts:
    16
    I downloaded unity(basic) and it said thats its free for personal and commercial use. Does this mean that I can sell any game I make with unity basic without buying a license.
     
  2. Taintspore

    Taintspore

    Joined:
    Sep 29, 2009
    Posts:
    185
    Yep, you just won't have access to paid features. Welcome to the boards!
     
  3. Dreamora

    Dreamora

    Joined:
    Apr 5, 2008
    Posts:
    26,601
    Yes you can make games and sell them with the free unity :) (there is no unity basic aside of the iphone and the iphone does not offer any free licenses)
     
  4. droid15

    droid15

    Joined:
    Aug 14, 2010
    Posts:
    16
    Nice I remember coming to the unity site one time and there being no free version and all the paid versions cost at least 1000 so I left. Has it always been like that? One more thing are there any good tutorials for people who are just starting? I looked at the fps car and 3rd person tutorials and they all require a basic knowledge of unity. Where do I get a tutorial that can give me the basics? :?:
     
  5. Eric5h5

    Eric5h5

    Volunteer Moderator Moderator

    Joined:
    Jul 19, 2006
    Posts:
    32,401
    That was never the case. Unity Indie was $250 initially, then lowered to $200 at some point, then free late last year.

    --Eric
     
  6. Argien

    Argien

    Joined:
    Aug 1, 2010
    Posts:
    18
  7. droid15

    droid15

    Joined:
    Aug 14, 2010
    Posts:
    16
  8. imaginaryhuman

    imaginaryhuman

    Joined:
    Mar 21, 2010
    Posts:
    5,834
    You do get to see the unity logo for a few seconds at the start of your desktop app, web player, etc.

    There are ways to cover it up on the web but not so easy on the desktop.

    I would like to know if the presence of the unity logo is a legal requirement for its use?
     
  9. Taintspore

    Taintspore

    Joined:
    Sep 29, 2009
    Posts:
    185
    I hear a lot of people get started with help from these guys.

    Will Goldstone has some good websites (and a pretty good book) on learning unity.
     
  10. Eric5h5

    Eric5h5

    Volunteer Moderator Moderator

    Joined:
    Jul 19, 2006
    Posts:
    32,401
    I would assume the bit in the license about how you should not "remove any proprietary notices or labels on the Software" would make it a requirement, yes. Covering it up would also likely be a violation.

    --Eric
     
  11. imaginaryhuman

    imaginaryhuman

    Joined:
    Mar 21, 2010
    Posts:
    5,834
    I can see that but the covering up part is a gray area. I mean, people design websites and sometimes on a website you need to display stuff on top of other stuff. So you could easily create a div with some other graphic in it and remove the div once the webplayer is satisfactorily loaded. What if you were doing that for purposes not to hide the intro logo but simply because you don't want to show the webplayer until it's fully loaded, like, to avoid the loading screen completely? And what about the pro license people who don't get the logo's?
     
  12. hmacyt

    hmacyt

    Joined:
    Jul 1, 2010
    Posts:
    203
    I wish we were allowed to tweak or alter the loading screen instead of the plan white loading thing, maybe our game name with a load bar, and once you hit play it does a short powered by unity animation.

    I like options :p
     
  13. Dreamora

    Dreamora

    Joined:
    Apr 5, 2008
    Posts:
    26,601
    The pro users pay for what they get, the free users don't pay anything and have to compensate for it by publically advertising the tech they use.

    And loading the webplayer while invisible will not work, as covering with divs won't as you will in both cases find out if you try.

    invisible webplayers are a common root for browser crashes and div overlay does not work cause cpu rendered 2D can not overlay hw rendered out of context 3D
     
  14. Eric5h5

    Eric5h5

    Volunteer Moderator Moderator

    Joined:
    Jul 19, 2006
    Posts:
    32,401
    Since there are no logos in Pro, there are no notices or labels that you could remove. I usually put in some notice somewhere about being made with Unity anyway.

    --Eric
     
  15. Julian-Glenn

    Julian-Glenn

    Joined:
    Jul 23, 2010
    Posts:
    97
    Same here. I figure it's the least I can do seeing as I didn't have to get my hands dirty writing the engine in C++ from the ground up, but can instead focus on game design. Nothing wrong with being proud of those buggers in Copenhagen /cheer
     
  16. Dreamora

    Dreamora

    Joined:
    Apr 5, 2008
    Posts:
    26,601
    Agreed
    I think stuff that saved me countless hours is always well worth being mentioned, be it in an own project through logos etc or through recommending it to others searching solution for a similar problem
     
  17. imaginaryhuman

    imaginaryhuman

    Joined:
    Mar 21, 2010
    Posts:
    5,834
    What about using css to temporarily hide the 3d?
     
  18. imaginaryhuman

    imaginaryhuman

    Joined:
    Mar 21, 2010
    Posts:
    5,834
    I agree that Unity saves a huge amount of time and makes a tonne of stuff possible, for which I'm grateful, but I just don't know that the *customer* or end user really gives a dam about that or whether it's appropriate to mention it to them at all. Of course Unity Pro is doing things right, getting out of the way completely. If you own/buy Unity Pro would you deliberately add back in a Unity logo?
     
  19. Julian-Glenn

    Julian-Glenn

    Joined:
    Jul 23, 2010
    Posts:
    97
    Many triple A (AAA) titles mention the Engine they use.
     
  20. Dreamora

    Dreamora

    Joined:
    Apr 5, 2008
    Posts:
    26,601
    Outside of unity pro its actually standard for professional engines that you must advertise it prominentely.
    waiving that normally costs a pretty large percentage of the regular engine license fee on top of it, if possible at all (due to the lose of income for the engine creator)
     
  21. taumel

    taumel

    Joined:
    Jun 9, 2005
    Posts:
    5,292
    Depends...

    License Restrictions

    * Companies or incorporated entities that had a turnover in excess of US$100,000 in their last fiscal year must use Unity Pro.

    * A company, incorporated entity, or individual may not use both Unity and Unity Pro. So a team can't mix those two licenses.


    Restrictions on Unity iPhone Publishing Basic

    * The Basic license can be purchased and used with either Unity or Unity Pro. The restrictions for the Basic license are:

    * Unity iPhone Publishing Basic may not be licensed and used by companies or incorporated entities that had a turnover in excess of US$100,000 in their last fiscal year.
     
  22. imaginaryhuman

    imaginaryhuman

    Joined:
    Mar 21, 2010
    Posts:
    5,834
    What it boils down to is the legal boundary.

    If I do not modify the exe in any way to cause the unity logo to show, and I somehow cover it up with something else whose jurastiction is outside the realm of UT's control, then is that a violation, legally?
     
  23. sybixsus2

    sybixsus2

    Joined:
    Feb 16, 2009
    Posts:
    943
    Ask a lawyer. If you can't afford one, you'll lose anyway, which makes the answer moot.
     
  24. Dreamora

    Dreamora

    Joined:
    Apr 5, 2008
    Posts:
    26,601
    It will only help UT to justify extra steps to never make DIV over the webplayer possible to prevent smarty S***ters from playing tricks ... Such people aren't smart, they are the major reason WHY we have such licensing and requirements with their strong desire to pretend to be more than they are.
    If you didn't create something, don't pretend you did, cause that behavior is the lowest among developers, even a damned cracker has more pride than such developers have and a better reputation anyway
     
  25. imaginaryhuman

    imaginaryhuman

    Joined:
    Mar 21, 2010
    Posts:
    5,834
    I respect your opinion but all of what you just said is a value judgement and not a legal one.

    What if a person makes a website where the page is 2 screens high and the unity webplayer is in the bottom half of the screen, ie `off screen`, and thus the player loads before the user sees the unity logo?

    How is that any different to hiding the logo on purpose by covering it up or any other technique?

    I'm not saying I want to or will try to cover up the Unity logo, just that I want to know exactly where the legal line is drawn.
     
  26. Alric

    Alric

    Joined:
    Feb 17, 2009
    Posts:
    331
    Don't think discussion forums are really the best place to look for legal advice.

    But I would imagine the difference between deliberately covering something up, and removing it, is a pretty shaky one.
     
  27. sybixsus2

    sybixsus2

    Joined:
    Feb 16, 2009
    Posts:
    943
    I repeat. If you want a legal judgement, ask a lawyer. That's what they do. Asking a public internet forum for legal advice is like asking the woman behind the counter in Sainsburys to rewire your house. In the unlikely event that you stumble across someone qualified to actually do it, you still aren't qualified to determine that they did a good job.
     
  28. imaginaryhuman

    imaginaryhuman

    Joined:
    Mar 21, 2010
    Posts:
    5,834
    I've sent Unity a direct email to ask their view.
     
  29. imaginaryhuman

    imaginaryhuman

    Joined:
    Mar 21, 2010
    Posts:
    5,834
    Unity Technologie's response to my email is basically, clearly, that you `must not cover up the Unity logo`.

    Moving onto something slightly related, not trying to cover up the logo but trying to cover up a part of my content temporarily...

    Dreamora, you said: "...div overlay does not work cause cpu rendered 2D can not overlay hw rendered out of context 3D"

    I'm curious about this statement. If the unity player is somehow `paused` in script, ie the backbuffer stops flipping, can you temporarily overlay normal 2d web stuff on top of it, like a dropdown menu that covers the Unity area?
     
  30. JRavey

    JRavey

    Joined:
    May 12, 2009
    Posts:
    2,377
    I cannot believe we are even have this discussion on the watermark. The easiest way to prevent the watermark is to buy Unity Pro. =/
     
  31. GeneralGrant

    GeneralGrant

    Joined:
    Jun 10, 2010
    Posts:
    977
    More like saying:

    The easiest way to prevent the watermark is to pay $1200.



    I liek the watermark. It symbols that I love Unity.
     
  32. Vimalakirti

    Vimalakirti

    Joined:
    Oct 12, 2009
    Posts:
    755
    What a jerk.
     
  33. GeneralGrant

    GeneralGrant

    Joined:
    Jun 10, 2010
    Posts:
    977
    Agreed (my avatar goes perfect with that).



    Imo, when I get Unity Pro, its going to have the Unity logo.

    Fades in from black
    Powered by *unity logo* Unity
    Fades into black
     
  34. dogzerx2

    dogzerx2

    Joined:
    Dec 27, 2009
    Posts:
    3,964
    Lol! How can anyone not be glad for being allowed to test a top notch software for free. You get no more than a single non-invading logo that shows up for a little while on the bottom right of the screen. The least one can do for using the software commercially is to spend some of the profit, if there's any, on the pro license.
     
  35. cyangamer

    cyangamer

    Joined:
    Feb 17, 2010
    Posts:
    234
    Just wanted to step in and agree with this statement.

    *Steps back out*
     
  36. imaginaryhuman

    imaginaryhuman

    Joined:
    Mar 21, 2010
    Posts:
    5,834
    a) I'm not a jerk and b) I agree that I would happily buy Unity Pro from the proceeds of sales using the free version, and that is indeed my plan and I very much look forward to it.

    I can understand that some people are getting quite emotional about this discussion but it really was a legal question not one of personal values. Unity Tech has responded officially to say that you may not obscure the Unity logo where it should be displaying, which is fine with me. What I was trying to find out was whether there was any option or gray area that was legally allowed, not to try to rip Unity off. I totally appreciate Unity's incredible features and the generosity of providing a free version.

    The reason I was asking a legal question and not an emotional one was because in setting up an actual website to sell products you have to be careful in every single aspect of it, from a legal perspective, that it is all above board, so I wanted to make absolutely sure. That is all.
     
  37. Dreamora

    Dreamora

    Joined:
    Apr 5, 2008
    Posts:
    26,601
    You realize that you pack together two mutually exclusive statements there I guess?

    "I'm fine with it" vs "I try to find a legal way around it"
     
  38. imaginaryhuman

    imaginaryhuman

    Joined:
    Mar 21, 2010
    Posts:
    5,834
    lol, no. If it were legal it wouldn't be a `way around it`, it would be normal acceptable use. The legal boundary would be clear and I was just trying to find out exactly where that boundary was.

    Anyway, back to the topic at hand.
     
  39. Vert

    Vert

    Joined:
    Mar 23, 2010
    Posts:
    1,099
    Interesting question, and we should never make others uncomfortable about asking questions. It is a legitimate question and I can see it from his point of view. However, just as I can see it doesn't mean I agree with removing the logo myself. However, I respect his ideas and decisions. Also, it seems he is so kind to ask the legal boundaries instead of just doing it anyway or immediately moving on to another product. Who knows, he might just purchase a Pro version down the road. Don't be so negative from the get go people, your bitterness and assumptions just may end up coming back around to you one day.

    I will say that most Professional game companies give credit to all parties involved who helped make their games. All my pc games and console games have logos of all technologies used. I believe it is nice to give credit to those who helped. However, the mini logo with no identifiable text in the web player is not much. Perhaps a "Powered by Unity Game Engine" for a brief few seconds before content loads would be better. I would prefer that. It's more specific and less obtrusive to the user as they are used to seeing adds and credits to things when they go to watch/interact with technology products instead of having it hover over the content they want to interact with once its ready to go.

    So, he just wants to remove the logo, would you treat a pro user with the same amount of angst? No, because they "paid their dues" but Unity still isn't getting credit then which is what you are complaining about. Leave your opinions at home, this was a simple question of legality. He did not ask for an opinion, just facts.
     
  40. imaginaryhuman

    imaginaryhuman

    Joined:
    Mar 21, 2010
    Posts:
    5,834
    Thanks for the support.

    We all love Unity and get enpassioned about any apparent disrespect towards it. When I do eventually buy Unity Pro (hopefully not the far distant future) I think I would consider listing somewhere the Unity logo or mention of technologies used, but only if it doesn't interfere with the audience's experience of the product presentation. There is something to be said for Unity having some clout and that mention of its use could possibly only enhance a product. On my website for example I plan to particularly play up the amazingness and prowess of the advanced 3d technology being used and probably will make mention of it there, not to mention putting installation of the unity web plugin into a positive light.
     
  41. dudesaydude

    dudesaydude

    Joined:
    Sep 27, 2011
    Posts:
    5
    So the logo for my game can´t be customized? It´s gunan be a unity3d symbol? Is there no way I can make it unique or customize it?
     
  42. sdgd

    sdgd

    Joined:
    Jan 15, 2013
    Posts:
    81
    OFC you can

    you start with scene 0 wait for 5 seconds load scene 1

    and OFC you make ON gui in scene 0 that's it you have your own logo

    throuthfoully to say I was thinking a ways around that noone knows it was builded by unity as I thought at first place that I must buy pro if I want to share the product and when I heard that I can even sell not only share for free and test stuff with friends I absolutelly want to see them the logo of unity :)

    they'll know in what I'm programming and can maybe help me there if they desire :)
    I don't need to tell them that in what I'm programming

    +1 I agree with

    you know it's illegal to cover hide, ... ...

    and yet you are searching ways around it more than cupple of times

    but still you aren't thinking how to not cover your logo but how to cover parts or whole

    and the easyest way to get rid of that logo for free is build your own engine maybe you can try from ground up with assembler

    *gave my opinion and backeing back out*
     
    Last edited: Mar 23, 2013