Title: Unity Faces Backlash from Developers Over Controversial New Charges
Subtitle: Creator of Rust criticizes Unity’s new policy, sparking concerns in the gaming industry
Date: [Insert Date]
By [Insert Author]
Unity, the popular game engine, has come under fire from developers following its announcement of a new policy that will impose charges on game downloads. The decision has caused a stir within the gaming industry, with many expressing their frustration and concerns about the potential impact on their projects.
The Unity Runtime Fee, set to go into effect on January 1, 2024, prompted widespread criticism from developers on social media. However, Unity later made some adjustments to the policy, clarifying that the fee would only apply to the initial installation of a game and not to installations through subscription services like Xbox Game Pass. Instead, fees would be passed on to platform holders such as Xbox.
Despite the adjustments, notable developers voiced their concerns about the policy’s repercussions. Among them is Garry Newman, the founder of Facepunch Studios and creator of the popular game Garry’s Mod. In a blog post, Newman criticized Unity’s management team and expressed disappointment in the change. He also revealed plans to create a sequel to Rust using a different game engine, emphasizing the loss of trust in Unity.
The controversy surrounding Unity’s new charges has prompted other high-profile developers to weigh in. Some have expressed worries about the impact on their plans and have even considered abandoning Unity as their game engine. Games like Cult of the Lamb and Among Us could potentially be withdrawn from digital marketplaces if Unity proceeds with its policy. Unity, however, claims that the majority of its customers will not be affected by the change.
The announcement has raised questions regarding who will be responsible for covering the new charges. Publishers and developers of unannounced Unity games are reportedly scrambling to prevent any potential deal collapses due to increased costs. Unity is facing mounting pressure to reconsider the policy, with developers also criticizing the company for removing the engine’s terms of service from GitHub.
Rami Ismail, the co-founder of Vlambeer, known for developing games like Ridiculous Fishing and Nuclear Throne, summed up the prevailing sentiment among developers. He criticized the policy as an “enormous uncertainty,” retro-active adjustment to terms, excessive tracking requirements, and a business model that could bankrupt studios.
Unity, led by former EA boss John Riccitiello, now faces a critical decision as it grapples with the backlash from developers. The ongoing discontent has highlighted the importance of transparency and communication between game engine makers and developers. The gaming industry will undoubtedly be watching Unity’s response closely, as the implications of this policy shift continue to reverberate.