Editor’s note (Sept. 17, 2023): We have heard you. We apologize for the confusion and angst the runtime fee policy we announced on Tuesday caused. We are listening, talking to our team members, community, customers, and partners, and will be making changes to the policy. We will share an update in a couple of days. Thank you for your honest and critical feedback.
Unity Runtime Fee
We are introducing a Unity Runtime Fee that is based on each time a qualifying game or app is downloaded by an end user. When a Unity game or app is downloaded, the Unity Runtime is also installed. The Unity Runtime is code that makes the project work performantly, at scale, across dozens of Unity-supported platforms.
Unity Personal, Unity Plus, Unity Pro, and Unity Enterprise plan subscribers and Unity Runtime distributors will be responsible for paying the Unity Runtime Fee, which is calculated on a per-project basis. The fee applies to all platforms (mobile, PC, console, streaming, etc.) and is based on the number of installs once an app reaches eligibility thresholds.
Unity Runtime Fee eligibility
Games or apps qualify for the Unity Runtime Fee after two criteria have been met: 1) the game or app has passed a minimum revenue threshold in the last 12 months, and 2) the game or app has passed a minimum lifetime install count.
Install definition
The installation and initialization of a game or app on an end user’s device as well as distribution via streaming is considered an “install.” Games or apps with substantially similar content may be counted as one project, with installs then aggregated to calculate the Unity Runtime Fee.
Each game or app’s cumulative install amount cannot be reset or reduced even if it has been sold, transferred to a new party, changed its name, been republished as a new version, added expansion content, or had its unique identifier (e.g., BundleID) altered. Additionally, a change in publisher or distributor does not reset the cumulative install amount.
Revenue definition
A game or app’s “total revenue” includes all revenue generated (without limitation) from retail sales, in-app purchases, subscription fees, web payments, offline payments, ads-based revenue, etc. Total revenue is calculated without deduction, including any relevant digital store fees.
Unity Runtime Fee rates
Once a game or app meets the minimum thresholds for eligibility, the Unity Runtime Fee will be calculated based on a rate that varies based on quantity of installs, the install’s country origin, and the subscriber’s Unity plan. The applicable rate is then multiplied by the number of eligible installs.
The chart below outlines the Standard and Emerging-market price per install above and beyond the Unity plan’s lifetime install threshold.
The fee schedule for each install is based on a set of tiers that is a progressive schedule. Each install within a tier is charged at the per install rate listed. For example, a Unity Pro user with an app that exceeds the Unity Runtime Fee threshold and has 200,000 installs in the month will pay 100,000 * $0.15 + 100,000 * $0.075 = $22,500.
The standard rate per install is listed for established markets, and for Unity Pro and Unity Enterprise plans the price per install decreases as installs increase. Standard rates apply to end users located in Australia, Austria, Belgium, Canada, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Ireland, Japan, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Sweden, Switzerland, South Korea, United Kingdom, and the United States.
Any other install that is outside the countries listed is considered an “emerging-market” install, which has a significantly lower, flat install rate.
Unity Runtime Fee billing information
New users
For new Unity users, the Unity Runtime Fee will take effect on January 1, 2024.
Renewals prior to December 31, 2023
For Unity Personal users and existing customers renewing their Unity Plus, Unity Pro, or Unity Enterprise subscriptions prior to December 31, 2023, the Unity Runtime Fee will take effect on January 1, 2024.
Renewals on or after January 1, 2024
For existing customers renewing their Unity Plus, Unity Pro, or Unity Enterprise subscriptions after January 1, 2024, the fee will take effect January 1, 2024 or, in some cases, on the first of the month after the subscription end date.
Additional billing information
All determinations, calculations of installs, and revenue related to the Unity Runtime Fee will be made by Unity in its sole discretion.
Unity may also waive all or any part of the Unity Runtime Fee in its sole discretion. As we implement this program, customers may see an invoice for an amount less than the full number of installs (or for $0) to help with the transition.
Third parties who publish or distribute the Unity Runtime on behalf of creators are responsible for paying the Unity Runtime Fee. Creators and these third parties remain obligated to pay the Unity Runtime Fee until the payment is verified.
Qualifying customers may be eligible for credits on the Unity Runtime Fee based on the adoption of Unity services beyond the Editor, such as Unity Gaming Services or Unity LevelPlay mediation for mobile ad-supported games. This program enables deeper partnerships with Unity to succeed across the entire game lifecycle. Please reach out to your account manager to learn more. For details on Unity LevelPlay, please contact your account manager for ad monetization, or contact sales here about ad monetization.