In a recent address at the GamesBeat Next 2024 event, Unity’s new CEO, Matthew Bromberg, shed light on the company’s decision to abandon its controversial runtime fee policy. This policy, introduced under the leadership of his predecessor, John Riccitiello, had sparked significant discontent among developers.
Listening to Developers
Bromberg emphasized the importance of dialogue during his early days in office. He engaged in extensive discussions with Unity’s partners, uncovering a shared appreciation for the engine itself, but a strong aversion to the lack of consultation regarding the runtime fee’s implementation.
“They didn’t like the way we were planning to charge them,” Bromberg noted. “They were very open-minded about paying us more. They understood we were delivering a lot of value. They just didn’t like the way we were doing it.”
Through these consultations, it became clear that the developers valued transparency and collaboration. Bromberg acknowledged that many were surprised by the time it took to revert to a more traditional subscription model, but he stressed that the process was as crucial as the decision itself.
“Making sure that everybody knew in advance, that there were no surprises, that we fully grasped all the issues, that was a very important piece,” he explained. “To your question, it’s not just about the runtime fee, which is just one decision. It’s our intention to make all the decisions about the company in that same way.”
Initially announced in 2023, the runtime fee policy was officially rescinded in September 2024, marking a significant shift in Unity’s approach to its business model and its relationship with developers.
