Unity tries to clarify new install fee plans amid developer outcry

videogameschronicle.com:

Unity has sought to clarify plans to charge an install fee for games made using its tools after its announcement of the move sparked a backlash from developers.

Starting in January 2024, the new Unity Runtime Fee will apply to games that meet a minimum revenue threshold and have passed a minimum lifetime install count.

The announcement sparked outrage among some members of the development community, who said the new fee structure was ill-conceived, unfavourable to game makers, and could be open to abuse.

Developers questioned why Unity had decided to introduce fees that could penalise them for placing their game in a big sale or deciding to include it in a charity bundle or a subscription service like Xbox Game Pass.

After previously saying that a player installing a game, deleting it and then installing it again would result in multiple fees—something which would potentially allow malicious groups to target specific developers—Unity exec Marc Whitten told Axios that the company had tweaked the policy so that it would only charge for an initial installation.

However, if a user wants to install a game on a multiple device like a PC and Steam Deck, that will count as two installs.

Fees for titles downloaded through subscription services like Game Pass will be charged to distributors like Microsoft, rather than developers, Unity said.

Runtime fees won’t be charged for installations of game demos, unless the demo is part of a package that includes the entire game, such as an early access release.

Unity also told Game Developer that “qualifying charities will not be charged for installs”.

Whitten estimated that the thresholds being put in place would result in about 10% of Unity developers ending up having to pay fees.

The new policy