Sunday, September 28, 2025
  • Lowyat.NET
  • Lipstiq
  • Murai MY
  • Miss Murai
  • Varnam
  • Moviedash
  • Autofreaks
No Result
View All Result
Hype Malaysia
  • Hype Picks
    • Go
    • Eats
    • Style
    • Streams
    • Concerts
  • Celebs
    • K-pop
  • Music
    • Reviews
    • Interviews & Features
  • Movies & TV
    • Movies
    • TV
    • Features
  • Lifestyle
    • Tech
    • Travels
    • News
  • Giveaways
    • Contests
Hype Malaysia
  • Hype Picks
    • Go
    • Eats
    • Style
    • Streams
    • Concerts
  • Celebs
    • K-pop
  • Music
    • Reviews
    • Interviews & Features
  • Movies & TV
    • Movies
    • TV
    • Features
  • Lifestyle
    • Tech
    • Travels
    • News
  • Giveaways
    • Contests
No Result
View All Result
Hype Malaysia
No Result
View All Result
Home News

Gaming: Our Hot Take On Game Engine Unity’s Disgusting New Business Model

by Kiran P Ganesan
September 15, 2023
38
SHARES
Share on FacebookShare on Whatsapp

One of the essential elements of game development is the software used to develop games. There are numerous game engines out there that we see in modern games, such as Unreal Engine, GameMaker, GoDot, etc. However, what if the very engine that you work with starts taking cuts from your bottom line, and creating a successful game is what leads to a small company going bankrupt?

This is the dilemma the gaming community at large is currently facing as the popular Unity Engine releases a new business model that charges companies per installation, not per sale. Here’s our take on this disgusting new business practise and why it should be stopped as soon as possible.

What Is Unity?

SOURCE: FLICKR

If you’ve been on the gaming side of the internet for some time, you’ve most likely heard of Unity. For those unfamiliar with it, Unity is one of the largest and most used game engines to date, and the vast majority of games are made with it, including titles such as Genshin Impact, Among Us, Cult of the Lamb, Dredge, Slender: The Eight Pages, The Pale Beyond, Volcano Princess, Mars First Logistics, Beat Saber, Cuphead, and even Pokemon GO.

This software has existed for a decade and a half, but despite its age, the engine has received several updates to keep it fresh, therefore making it appealing to new and old developers alike. However, following Unity’s recent announcement and update, many wish that Unity would stop updating all together.

New Policy

SOURCE UNITY

On Tuesday, 12th September, Unity released an official statement on their official blog stating their new prices and policies. They announced that once a game has reached a certain threshold, Unity will charge the game developers per subsequent installation, regardless of whether the copy of the game was legally purchased or pirated.

Rapper-Singer Balan Kash Does Mic-Drop With New Malay-Language Album "CEKAP"

They created a detailed table of how much a developer must pay per installation; however, to be eligible for this, they must first meet the following criteria so that the initial charging may begin:

“Only games that meet the following thresholds qualify for the Unity Runtime Fee:

  • Unity Personal and Unity Plus: Those that have made US$200,000 or more in the last 12 months AND have at least 200,000 lifetime game installs.
  • Unity Pro and Unity Enterprise: Those that have made US$1,000,000 or more in the last 12 months AND have at least 1,000,000 lifetime game installs.”

This new business plan will be effective on Monday, 1st January 2024, and will have a “separate package” payment depending on whether the game was a demo or was released on console, mobile, or PC. Additionally, this entire fee will work retroactively even though the game is decades old; as long as they meet the minimum requirements and the engine detects another installation, it will charge the developer.

SOURCE: UNITY

However, this is not the only problematic thing Unity mentioned. Since this additional charge is done per installation and not per sale, game developers get charged even when someone installs a pirated copy of their game. Furthermore, someone can uninstall and reinstall a game repeatedly, racking up an incredible fee for no good reason.

Even worse is when someone automates this and has a bot uninstall and reinstall that game by itself. This conclusion was drawn from the fact that Unity has not given a direct answer to questions regarding piracy, both on X and on their official FAQ page.

New & Improved Tune Talk App Lets You Stream & Game All In One Place!

The Fallout

SOURCE: X

Game developers are on high alert with these new practises, as it forces them to revise a lot of their plans, with some even planning on killing their games before it kills the company. One thing developers are worried about is the Xbox Game Pass, a subscription service that lets you have unlimited access to various games. This is a fact that Aggro Crab had to painfully highlight in a post in response to Unity’s change of business practises.

Another beloved game that is facing this threat is Cult of the Lamb. This game broke a new record for it’s innovative and creative gameplay and has attracted various gamers thanks to its cartoonish design. However, since the game is based on the Unity engine, the Cult of the Lamb developers will be deleting the popular game when the new year rolls around as a result of these changes.

SOURCE: X

The announcement has resulted in a mass outcry among the gaming community, as the changes are simply ridiculous, with some even questioning how ethical they are. Since their bombshell announcement, Unity has received several credible death threats and has decided to close two of their studios for the safety of their staff.

On the business front, Strange Scaffold CEO Xalavier Nelson Jr., known for titles like El Paso, Elsewhere, and Space World Organ Trading Simulator, wrote on X that “at least one significant group of developers is talking a class-action lawsuit against Unity.” 

SOURCE: X

According to Nelson, there’s only one group that seems to be interested in taking them to court so far, but that number will most likely grow as Iron Lung developer David Szymanski asks how to get into contact with the said group. Individuals such as Garry Newman, founder of Facepunch Studios, known for games such as Garry’s Mod and Rust, have been very vocal about these changes, and he has even added an entry about the game engine to his personal blogs, which he publicly displays on his X page.

Master Boss-Level Photography With The New vivo V50

Hot Take

SOURCE: WIKIMEDIA COMMONS

To say that this is big news in the gaming world and calling it “greedy” would be an understatement. People have started believing this was intentional, as it was reported that Unity CEO John Riccitiello sold 2,000 of his shares a week before the announcement was released. However, there have been reports that he has sold several other stocks and bought none, seemingly debunking the theories.

At the end of the day, no one except Unity will stand to benefit from this, as it punishes big and small companies alike – but the latter would be hit the hardest as it punishes them for succeeding. If this is not shot down while the opportunity still exists, it will force companies to adapt and increase their prices to break even, and free games, like Genshin Impact, may no longer be free.

Many people are banking on game developers to come together to boycott Unity, if not outright sue them, as this needs to be stopped before it normalises. They want major companies, such as Nintendo, to put it down and use the time to move to a better, more respectable game engine.

 

Sources: Unity [1], [2], X [1], [2], [3], [4], [5], [6], Ars Technica, Rock Paper Shotgun, UploadVR, Fortune, Siliconera, GameSpot, GameWorldObserver, Game Rant, IGN South East Asia

Image Sources: Flickr, Wikimedia Commons

Aggro CrabCult of the LambDavid SzymanskFacepunch StudiosGame EngineGamingGarry NewmanJohn RiccitielloStrange ScaffoldUNITYXalavier Nelson Jr.
https://lomp.at/834ab
Share15SendTweet10Share

Follow us on Instagram, Facebook or Telegram for more updates and breaking news. 

FOLLOW THE HYPE

SOURCES: FACEBOOK (Selangor Royal Office) & INSTAGRAM (@rmselangor)
News

Several Road Closures In Klang This Weekend In Conjunction With Selangor Crown Prince’s Wedding

by Adleena
September 26, 2025

Earlier this week, Raja Muda of Selangor Tengku Amir Shah, announced his plans to marry his partner, Afzaa Fadini Abdul...

Read more
Source: YouTube/PlayStation
News

(Video) Is Malaysia Featured In The Upcoming Marvel’s “Wolverine” Video Game?

We always love it when Malaysia is mentioned or featured in an international project – whether it’s a film, a...

Read more
by Afiq Amin
September 26, 2025
Source: IG/wearelol.asia, RepublicRecords
News

(Video) Netizens Slam The Alice Experiment Creators Over AI Vs Animation Comparison

Earlier this month, following heavy backlash from anime and cosplay fans, Cos-Mic Asia issued an apology for inviting the AI...

Read more
by Afiq Amin
September 26, 2025
SOURCE: FACEBOOK (@mmCineplexes)
News

mmCineplexes Announce Immediate Closure After Parent Company Enter Voluntary Liquidation

Things don’t seem to be looking positive for cinema chains recently, with many outlets closing down in the past few...

Read more
by Adleena
September 24, 2025
SOURCES: TIKTOK (@cerita_apa01) & INSTAGRAM (@mystarbucks)
News

(Video) Starbucks Malaysia Issues Statement About Viral Incident At KLIA2 Branch

Starbucks Malaysia hasn’t had the best press in recent months, given the ongoing boycott. The coffee chain recently faced another...

Read more
by Adleena
September 23, 2025
Source: Twitter/ EkonomiRakyatMY, IG/merdeka118
News

Maybank Denies Claims Of Signage Removal From Merdeka 118 Tower

A lot seems to have happened over the weekend. Photos of the Maybank name displayed at the summit of the...

Read more
by Afiq Amin
September 22, 2025
News

Muslim Pro Launches Stories by Muslim Pro to Spotlight Global Muslim Voices

Muslim Pro, the world’s most popular Muslim lifestyle app, has officially launched Stories by Muslim Pro, a creative hub dedicated...

Read more
by Dean Zaini
September 18, 2025
Source: Instagram/jacksonwang852g7
K-pop

(Video) “Let Loose”: Fans React To Jackson Wang’s Upcoming MV Shot On iPhone 17 Pro

Fans are buzzing after Jackson Wang (王嘉尔/잭슨) dropped a surprise teaser for his upcoming single “Let Loose”. They’re not only...

Read more
by Melissa
September 11, 2025
Load More


TOP STORIES TODAY

  1. 1

    Videos Of Late Actor Yu Menglong Sending Distress Signal Resurfaces Amid Allegations About Death

  2. 2

    (Video) Starbucks Malaysia Issues Statement About Viral Incident At KLIA2 Branch

  3. 3

    Police Address Rumours Of Suicide In Genting Involving 2 Women

  4. 4

    “Marvel Zombies”: Full Episode Breakdown, Survivors, and Season 2 Hints

  5. 5

    (Video) BLACKPINK Rosé Reveals The Original Lyrics For “APT.” 

Malaysia’s live-wire for the latest news, trends, and entertainment is finally here. We are your calendar, your grapevine, your comic relief, your post-event coverage, and your celebrity stalker. Did we also mention that we are also your gateway to the world?



Contact us: newsdesk@hype.my



  • About
  • Advertise
  • Jobs
  • Terms
  • Privacy Policy

©2025 Vijandren Ramadass. All Rights Reserved.

No Result
View All Result
  • Hype Picks
    • Go
    • Eats
    • Style
    • Streams
    • Concerts
  • Celebs
    • K-pop
  • Music
    • Reviews
    • Interviews & Features
  • Movies & TV
    • Movies
    • TV
    • Features
  • Lifestyle
    • Tech
    • Travels
    • News
  • Giveaways
    • Contests

©2025 Vijandren Ramadass. All Rights Reserved.

No Result
View All Result
  • Hype Picks
    • Go
    • Eats
    • Style
    • Streams
    • Concerts
  • Celebs
    • K-pop
  • Music
    • Reviews
    • Interviews & Features
  • Movies & TV
    • Movies
    • TV
    • Features
  • Lifestyle
    • Tech
    • Travels
    • News
  • Giveaways
    • Contests

©2025 Vijandren Ramadass. All Rights Reserved.