Indie game developers have expressed their dissatisfaction with the popular game engine Unity due to recent changes in revenue sharing terms. Controversy arose when independent developer Tom Francis, known for games like Gunpoint and Heat Signature, voiced his frustrations in a blog post. Francis explained that when he started his latest project, Tactical Breach Wizards, five years ago, he chose Unity because he believed the engine would not take a percentage of revenue after the game’s release. However, Unity has since updated its terms of service, allowing the company to change the revenue share percentage at any time. This change came as a surprise and disappointment to both Francis and other independent developers who relied on the previous understanding.
Unity operates on a subscription basis, so developers are required to accept updated terms upon renewing their subscription. While switching to another engine is an option, it is not feasible for those who have invested years of work and resources into the Unity platform.
Francis is not alone in his discontent with Unity. Other independent developers have expressed similar concerns, feeling betrayed by the company’s decision to change revenue sharing terms without proper communication or consideration of developers’ investments.
The consequences of this controversy may have a lasting impact on Unity’s brand image. Independent developers like Francis may opt to explore alternative game engines for future projects, leading to a loss of trust and a potential significant portion of the market for Unity. It remains to be seen how Unity will respond to these criticisms and whether they will take action to address developers’ concerns.
Overall, this dispute underscores the importance of clear and transparent communication between game engine providers and developers. It serves as a warning for both parties and highlights the need for trust and reliability in the relationship between developers and the tools they rely on to create their games.
