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Unity has seemingly silently removed its GitHub repo that tracks ToS changes (gamerbraves.com)

682 points by agluszak · 1075 days ago · 176 comments on HN

Article summary

Unity has removed its GitHub repository that tracks changes to its Terms of Service. The removal of the repository has sparked concern and discussion among developers and users. It appears that Unity has introduced a per-installation fee for games built with the engine, which has been met with criticism. The fee is seen as a significant change to the company's revenue model.

Main themes

  • Unity's revenue model
  • per-installation fee
  • Terms of Service changes
  • game development community
  • alternative game engines
  • transparency and trust
  • financial pressures
  • ad revenue strategies

What commenters say

  • Unity's decision to introduce a per-installation fee is a money grab that will harm game developers and users.
  • The company's attempt to retroactively apply the fee to existing games is potentially illegal and unfair.
  • The fee will disproportionately affect games with large user bases and low prices per purchase, such as mobile free-to-play games.
  • Using Unity's ad network may exempt developers from the per-install fees, which could be a strategic move by the company to increase its ad revenue.
  • The removal of the GitHub repository is an attempt by Unity to hide the changes to its Terms of Service and avoid transparency.
  • The introduction of the per-installation fee may drive developers to alternative game engines, such as Unreal Engine.
  • The change in Unity's revenue model is likely a result of the company's financial pressures and desire to increase revenue.
  • The decision to introduce the fee is seen as a betrayal of the trust and community that Unity has built over the years.