Unity has announced the cancellation of its controversial ‘Runtime Fee’ for game developers, a decision that comes in response to months of significant backlash from the gaming community.
Matt Bromberg, the President and CEO of Unity, stated, “After deep consultation with our community, customers, and partners, we’ve decided to cancel the Runtime Fee for our games customers, effective immediately.”
The proposed Runtime Fee, which would have charged developers based on the number of game installations, ignited widespread outrage when it was announced in September. Many developers perceived it as a betrayal of Unity’s long-standing mission to democratize game development.
Recognizing the damage this controversy caused to developer relationships, Bromberg acknowledged, “We can’t pursue that mission in conflict with our customers; at its heart, it must be a partnership built on trust.”
Going forward, Unity will return to its existing seat-based subscription model for all gaming customers, including those transitioning to Unity 6 later this year. The company has also announced several changes to its pricing structure, set to take effect on January 1, 2025:
- Unity Personal will remain free, with the revenue and funding ceiling increased from $100,000 to $200,000. Additionally, the Made with Unity splash screen will be optional for Unity Personal games created with Unity 6.
- Unity Pro will see an 8% price increase, bringing the annual cost per seat to $2,200. This subscription will be required for customers with total annual revenue and funding exceeding $200,000.
- Unity Enterprise will experience a 25% price increase, becoming mandatory for customers with over $25 million in total annual revenue and funding, and a minimum subscription requirement may also be introduced.
Bromberg explained, “From this point forward, it’s our intention to revert to a more traditional cycle of considering any potential price increases only on an annual basis.”
Bromberg took over the leadership of Unity from John Riccitiello, who departed amid various controversies, including the backlash surrounding the Runtime Fee. This reversal under new leadership is likely to be cautiously welcomed by the developer community and may assist in mending fractured relationships.
“Cancelling the Runtime Fee for games and instituting these pricing changes will allow us to continue investing to improve game development for everyone while also being better partners,” Bromberg stated.
Unity’s decision underscores the delicate balance between business growth and maintaining goodwill within the developer community.
As Unity navigates this challenging phase, the industry will be closely observing whether these changes are sufficient to rebuild trust with developers and maintain Unity’s status as a leading platform for game development.