Unity tweaks new install fees as developers threaten to jump ship
Unity has amended some of the policy surrounding its new "Runtime Fee" that will charge developers per install once they cross certain revenue and download thresholds.
Yesterday, the company announced that, starting in January 2024, it would be introducing a new charge based on the number of players installing titles that leverage its popular game engine.
The fee itself will vary depending on factors including the license being used by developers, the popularity of their project, and whether it's a premium release or free-to-play title.
The bottom line, however, is that Unity has committed to charging creators using its engine an install-based fee that, in the words of Unity Create president Marc Whitten, will "better balance the value exchange" between Unity and developers.
It would be fair to say the news—which you can read in full here—didn't exactly go down well.
Developers immediately raised a number of concerns, suggesting it would cripple studios using subscription services like Xbox Game Pass or allow malicious groups to target specific developers by deleting and re-installing titles en masse so their creators incur more charges from Unity.
Discussing the latter point with Axios, Whitten said Unity has now tweaked its policy and will only charge for an initial installation. The company had initially suggested deletions and re-installs would result in multiple fees and pledged to use its own fraud detection practices to counter potential "install-bombing." An extra fee, however, will still be charged when a player installs a title on a second device—so, somebody choosing to install a game on their Steam Deck as well as their PC would result in a developer being charged twice.
On the subject of downloads made via Xbox
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