Unity has walked back parts of its new Runtime Fee policy, which would have charged game developers per game install. Now, users of Unity Personal or Plus will not be charged, those using Pro or Enterprise can opt for a 2.5% revenue share instead, and only upcoming versions of Unity will apply the fee.

In an open letter, Unity Create lead Marc Whitten outlined the changes. The Runtime Fee policy will start only with the next Long Term Support (LTS) version of Unity, which will launch in 2024. Any game made with prior versions of Unity, including the current 2022 LTS, will not be charged. Only games made with Unity Pro or Enterprise levels will be eligible for the free, and no game with less than $1 million in trailing 12-month revenue will be charged any additional fee.

Any developer that would be charged a runtime fee can opt instead for a 2.5% revenue share. Developers will always be billed the lesser of the two potential fees. Unity has also changed the language from "installs" to "initial engagements." According to Unity, this means "the moment that a distinct end user successfully and legitimately acquires, downloads, or engages with a game powered by the Unity Runtime, for the first time in a distribution channel." Additionally, the basis for the Runtime Fee will be self-reported rather than gathered by Unity.