Among Us dev predicts install fee "concessions" instead of reversal after call with Unity

gamedeveloper.com:

Innersloth co-founder Forest Willard isn't sure Unity will reverse its decision to implement a new Runtime Fee that will charge those using its game engine a per-install tariff once certain thresholds are met.

In an X thread posted last night, Willard explained he "just got off a call with Unity" and claimed "the vibe of the meeting was that there will probably be more concessions for developers." Notably, he added there was a sense the company is currently unwilling to fully back down. As a result of that conversation, Willard said he's going to set up meetings with other platforms after Tokyo Game Show.  

Sharing more details, the Among Us programmer said Unity seems to think the situation will blow over if it convinces a large portion of its userbase that they won't be affected. Yesterday, the company issued a clarifying statement to explain that less than 10 percent of devs would be impacted by the new fee, and claimed charges incurred by titles on Xbox Game Pass, PlayStation Plus, and similar subscription services will be paid by distributors–so, in this case, Microsoft and Sony.

"By making concessions and discounts over Game Pass or re-installs or doubling down on Unity services, they hope we don't care who remains affected," said Willard, who added that developers also don't have to settle for a revenue sharing agreement simply because that appears to be the next best option. "Unity's involvement in helping you make your game ends with your last release," he continued. "Unreal's pricing isn't fair. It's just simpler."

It has been three days since Unity announced its new policy, which was subsequently amended and clarified in an attempt to appease a furious community of developers, and it's clear that creators big