Unity Pledges to Make Changes to its Controversial Runtime Fee Policy

Last week, Unity Technologies announced a controversial runtime fee policy, which as of 1st January 2024 would see developers that use the Unity engine, charged per install of their game, albeit with a few caveats.

Since then, a procession of understandably disgruntled developers have aired their disdain for and concerns regarding the proposed Unity runtime fee, and reports of Unity executives engaging in insider trading haven't exactly helped. With Unity Technologies forced to close two of its offices due to death threats, the company has reassessed the runtime fee proposal, and has announced that it's looking at “making changes”.

“We have heard you. We apologize for the confusion and angst the runtime fee policy we announced on Tuesday caused,” Unity tweeted earlier today. “We are listening, talking to our team members, community, customers, and partners, and will be making changes to the policy. We will share an update in a couple of days. Thank you for your honest and critical feedback.”

What these changes are, however, is currently unknown, But developers are calling for a complete reversal of Unity's runtime fee policy, or a standard revenue share, much like other game engine policies.

We have heard you. We apologize for the confusion and angst the runtime fee policy we announced on Tuesday caused. We are listening, talking to our team members, community, customers, and partners, and will be making changes to the policy. We will share an update in a couple of…

— Unity (@unity) September 17, 2023