Guest Freya Holmér, Unity Insider, joins the hosts to discuss Unity's controversial runtime fee policy. They cover the update to the policy, lack of trust and communication, revenue splits in game development, frustration with Unity, and the importance of accountability and trust in companies.
Unity has made updates to their runtime fee policy, exempting Unity Personal users and allowing more developers to use Unity without additional costs.
The hosts express disappointment and frustration with Unity's lack of transparency, which has eroded trust in the company and created uncertainty for their own work and future plans.
Deep dives
Unity unveils updates in response to recent backlash
Unity has made several updates in response to the backlash received after their announcement of runtime fees. The first key point is that Unity Personal users will not be subject to the fee, allowing more developers to use Unity without worrying about additional costs. Additionally, the dreaded Unity splash screen is now completely optional for Unity Personal licenses. They have also committed to no more retroactive changes to their terms of service, providing more stability and trust for developers. There is now a choice between self-reporting and paying a runtime fee or opting for a 2.5% revenue share. These changes apply only to future versions of Unity and not retroactively, which is seen as a positive move. While there are still some uncertainties around specific details and terms, these updates aim to address some key concerns and create a more favorable environment for Unity developers.
Disappointment and Frustration with Unity's Changes
The podcast episode delves into the disappointment and frustration expressed by the hosts towards Unity's recent changes. The hosts express their disappointment with the lack of transparency, feeling that trust in Unity has been eroded. They discuss the impact of the changes on their own work and the uncertainty it has created, with one host considering pivoting away from tool development. They also touch on the challenge of finding alternatives to Unity and the difficulties of transitioning to new engines. Overall, there is a sense of disappointment and unease among the hosts regarding Unity's recent decisions.
The Importance of Trusting Companies
The hosts discuss the concept of trust in companies, countering the notion that trusting a company is strange. They highlight the importance of trust in fostering healthy relationships, whether it be with individuals or institutions. They argue that trust is a necessary component of functioning relationships and that the absence of trust can lead to skepticism and detachment. They acknowledge the challenges of trusting companies, especially in a capitalist system, but emphasize the need to hold companies accountable while not completely disengaging from society.
Uncertainty and Future Plans
The hosts share their personal feelings of uncertainty and the impact of the changes on their future plans. One host expresses disappointment and frustration with the timing of the changes, as it coincides with their burnout rehab. They consider the possibility of pivoting careers or exploring alternative paths due to the uncertainty and lack of trust in Unity. The hosts reflect on their individual situations and discuss their perspectives on the future of Unity and the potential challenges they may face in finding suitable alternatives.
Earlier today, Unity issued an update to their controversial "runtime fee" policy introduced last week. What changed? What didn't? How could this have even happened? What does it mean going forward? Can we ever trust Unity again?
We get into all of it, from the original announcement on September 12th, to the "open letter" update and "fireside chat" on September 22nd. Your nice hosts are joined by special guest and "Unity Insider" Freya Holmér, who offers some additional context and much-needed clarity about the events of the last 10 days.
Unity Runtime Fee and Subsequent Policy Correction