Unity has decided to eliminate the Runtime Fee
Unity has decided to eliminate its previously announced runtime fee following extensive discussions with the community, clients, and partners.
In September, Unity revealed plans to introduce a Runtime Fee for every installation of a game that met specified install and revenue thresholds, as detailed in a report. The announcement sparked a backlash from developers, leading to the fee's cancellation for games utilizing a Unity Personal license, reported recent updates.
In a new announcement, Unity's president and CEO Matt Bromberg stated that the fee was inconsistent with Unity's mission of making game development more accessible. He confirmed a return to the traditional seat-based subscription model for immediate implementation.
"Our mission cannot be at odds with our customers. It needs to be a partnership founded on trust," Bromberg asserted. "Over the last few months, I have engaged with many of you who emphasize the importance of Unity's strength and know price hikes are crucial for advancing gaming, albeit these should not be in new, contentious ways.
"We aim to provide value at fair pricing so you can reliably partner with us for long-term business development," Bromberg added. "We're optimistic about the potential we have together if we deliver excellent software and services as true partners."
Bromberg further assured that these changes do not affect customers outside the gaming sector.
Looking forward, the Unity Personal license will remain free, and its revenue and funding cap will increase from $100,000 to $200,000. Adjustments in subscription pricing for Unity Pro and Unity Enterprise will occur with new annual revenue criteria effective January 1, 2025, with increases of 8% and 25% respectively.
"By removing the Runtime Fee and instituting these price changes, we can continue investing in game development improvements while being better partners," Bromberg concluded. "We appreciate your trust and ongoing support and are eager to continue creating amazing games together."
In addition, financial results for Unity during the quarter ending June 30, 2024, were reported, showing a revenue decrease that surpassed the expected guidance of $420 million to $425 million for the second quarter.
