Vieden’s Post

My thoughts on Unity’s shocking announcement 👇 TL;DR: -Developers earning less than $200k annually can access Unity Pro for free until they reach that threshold. -The change is aimed at simplifying pricing tiers and providing more flexibility. -Unity Pro offers advanced features like multiplayer, analytics, and more, priced at $150/month. -Larger studios will see simplified licensing options. -Unity introduces a new revenue-sharing model for smaller developers. -Unity Plus, priced at $45/month, is for smaller teams and includes core Unity features. -The Personal plan will be discontinued, but existing users will be grandfathered in. -Unity will introduce two main pricing plans: Unity Pro and Unity Plus Thoughts? #Unity #Development #VFX

Recently, I have taken an interest in learning Unity for the purposes of testing. But with the recently announced pricing changes, alongside actions that have broken trust for game developers, I am now wondering how many companies will stick to Unity going forward and whether I should refocus my efforts elsewhere. After reading many concerns about the pricing model, specifically on a per-download basis and how it impacts games which have already been released, something I have not seen discussed is the risk of holding onto games long-term. I think this could encourage developers to pull their games once sales slow but costs continue. As someone who is personally invested in a lot of older titles, while also having friends and family share the games they have grown up cherishing, I am concerned about the preservation of titles going forward and the legacy of games. There could be any number of amazing games being released on Unity that may delist or revoke access in the years to come, and we won't be able to pass down these works to further generations. I hope that Unity decides to re-evaluate and change it's plans going forward, but damage to trust has already been done. #VideoGames #GamesIndustry #GamePreservation

🚫🎮 Concerned about Unity's new fee structure! As a game developer, I stand firmly against it. 🎮🚫 Unity has long been a go-to engine for developers, known for its royalty-free licensing. However, their recent announcement of a per-install fee starting in 2024 has sparked a wave of frustration in our community. The new Unity Runtime Fee will charge us based on installs after specific revenue and install thresholds. This change affects both those on Unity Personal (even with free basic Editor access) and those on Pro and Enterprise tiers. What's particularly troubling is that this fee applies retroactively to our existing Unity games, not just new ones. Many of us invested time and effort in Unity based on its previous model. The per-install fee model raises significant concerns about privacy, potential for player abuse, and even the viability of some game business models. As game developers, we urge Unity to reconsider this decision. Our trust in this platform has been seriously shaken, and we hope Unity will listen to our concerns and work with us to find a better way forward. #Unity #GameDevelopment #IndieGames #GamingCommunity

Considering entering the gaming industry as an independent developer or setting up your first indie studio? 🕹️ Well, with the recent controversy surrounding Unity's potential pricing model updates, it's essential to explore alternatives that align with your needs. And while we haven't personally used all of these platforms, we'd love to hear your thoughts on which ones you believe are the best and why. So, here are 7 game development platforms, including Unity, for you to consider. 👉 Whether you're a seasoned developer or just starting out, community insights are invaluable. Share your experiences and recommendations in the comments below! #GameDev #IndieDev #UnityAlternatives

After a severe backlash from developers and potential backout, Unity has rolled back its plans to implement a run-time fee. Famous for developing fan-favorite games like Pokemon Go and Among Us, the new policy from Unity came as devastating news, especially for indie developers. Fortunately, Unity Create president Marc Whitten has since apologized for the change and introduced developer-friendly alternatives. Addressing the backlash, Whitten stated that they should have taken more feedback before rolling out the new policy. However, they are now moving forward with sustainable plans for developers. Independent game developers and studios can now either opt for a fixed fee calculated at the time of game publishing or a run-time fee based on their revenue. #Unity #UnityEngine #Backlash #GameDevelopment #PolicyChange #USA #Canada #News #TechNews #Tech #ITW Image: Unity

Unity recently announced a new licensing model that will dramatically hurt free-to-play, and cheap, volume-driven games (primarily indie and mobile devs), it apparently applies retroactivity, the Terms of Service that previously protected devs from the licensing model being pulled out from under them was removed, and this has driven the entire game’s industry into a stalwart singular front against their exploitative actions, behaviors, and schemes. It’s ironic. Unity, you’ve successfully pulled off your namesake; we’re unified. Now get ready. #Unity3D vs #GamingIndustry : #Unity #Lawsuit #ComingSoon

The latest Unity announcement feels more reasonable but still a departure from the original "no royalties, no f***ing around" from a few years back. The relationship with the #gamedev community will take time to heal but folks will remember. So this still a good time to check #unrealengine and #unreal editor for #fornite, these are two fantastic alternatives for games development ! Reliable business terms, unique innovative features (nanite, lumen, control rig to name a few), stability, reliability but also the performance that remains way ahead. Give #unrealengine 5.3 or #uefn a spin and see for yourself, it's free, fun and you'll be up and creating in no time. https://lnkd.in/ea8VE5Wk

🎮 Exciting times ahead for game developers! 🌟 Unity's latest blog post delves into the world of multiplayer game development this summer. Whether you're a seasoned developer or just starting out, there's something here for everyone. The article covers the latest trends, tips, and tools to help you create engaging and seamless multiplayer experiences. 🔗 Check out the blog post here : https://lnkd.in/dkKyrnkx From improving player connectivity to optimizing server performance, Unity continues to support developers with innovative solutions and resources. Don't miss out on these valuable insights! #GameDevelopment #MultiplayerGames #Unity3D #GameDev #SummerOfGaming

John Riccitiello’s unceremonious exit from #videogame engine developer Unity Software Inc (NYSE:U) likely didn’t surprise those with a keen eye on the business side of the video games industry. Riccitiello stepped down as chief executive of #Unity, which provides the building blocks on top of which many popular video games are made, after a highly controversial shake-up of its pricing model. Under the guidance of Riccitiello, Unity decided to start charging developers each and every time a game made on Unity was installed, starting in 2024. This policy would have been backdated, thus applying to every game previously made on Unity. Riccitiello planned to charge $0.20 for every sincle download starting from a 200,000 threshold. The gaming community was furious, accusing the company and its CEO of a selfish cash grab at the sacrifice of independent game developers. More at #Proactive #ProactiveInvestors http://ow.ly/unMc104XkPV #NYSE #U

The announcement of Unity’s pricing changes, especially the runtime fees, came as a shock to all of us last week and can have a potentially massive impact on the game industry. Many developers are planning – rightfully so in the circumstances – to migrate towards other engines and development platforms. Regardless of Unity’s next moves, trust is mostly loss. The viability of hyper casual, mass market, virally successful or ethically monetized games is put at doubt, as not all developers can afford the time/money to move their projects from one platform to the next. While some think they will need to move to more predatory monetization strategies to survive - it is not necessarily true. More often than not, it is possible to improve free-to-play games economies to increase revenues per install without denaturing the project or harming the player’s experience. If you think your project need help on this, let’s have a chat. #unity #unitydeveloper #gamedev #gamingindustry