Unity cancels infamous Runtime Fee

Unity has cancelled the controversial Runtime Fee that sparked widespread industry backlash last year.

The fee, announced last year, would have charged developers for installs and initially would have impacted existing and future customers with a licence. The cancellation will impact games companies only – non-gaming industry customers are not affected by this decision.

Unity said it would be reverting back to its existing seat-based subscription model for all games customers, including those who adopt Unity 6.

Unity Pro users will see their subscription price increase by 8% to $2,200 annually per seat. This will be required for customers who have more than $200,000 of total annual revenue and funding.

Meanwhile, Unity Enterprise customers will see a 25% increase in the subscription price. This is for companies that have more than $25 million in total annual revenue and funding. A minimum subscription requirement may also apply.

“Because this set of our largest customers have unique needs and use many of our products and services, we’ll be contacting everyone in the days ahead to discuss customised packages,” said Unity CEO Matt Bromberg.

The changes for Pro and Enterprise customers will be effective January 1st, 2025. The company said it’s intent is to revert to a “more traditional cycle” of considering potential price increases “only on an annual basis”.

If it changes Editor software terms, users can continue using the current version of the engine under previously agreed terms – as long as they don’t update.

As for Unity Personal customers, as announced last year, this tier will remain free up to $200,000 in revenue and funding, representing a rise from $100,000.

Back to its core mission?

In a message to Unity users, Bromberg said the decision to cancel the Runtime Fee came after “deep consultation” with its community, customers and partners.

“Over the last 20 years, we’ve partnered with brilliant designers and developers, artists and engineers, publishers and platforms, to build a world where great games could be built by anyone, for everyone,” he said.

“We called it “democratising game development,” and it remains our core mission today.

“However, we can’t pursue that mission in conflict with our customers; at its heart, it must be a partnership built on trust. I’ve been able to connect with many of you over the last three months, and I’ve heard time and time again that you want a strong Unity, and understand that price increases are a necessary part of what enables us to invest in moving gaming forward.

“But those increases needn’t come in a novel and controversial new form. We want to deliver value at a fair price in the right way so that you will continue to feel comfortable building your business over the long term with Unity as your partner. 

“And we’re confident that if we’re good partners and deliver great software and services, we’ve barely scratched the surface of what we can do together.”