On September 12, 2023, Unity announced plans to start charging developers for revenue above a certain threshold every time their game is installed on someone's system.
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No matter how it was installed - a direct purchase on Steam, a code from a Humble Bundle, or even an illegal pirated copy. If your game is installed on someone's phone, computer, Steam Deck, PlayStation, Xbox or Nintendo Switch, you will face charges.
Naturally, these plans forced thousands of Unity developers to start looking for a new game engine.
The thing is, there's no natural equivalent replacement for Unity, and where you should go next depends on the type of project you're working on.
To help make things clearer during turbulent times, we wanted to provide Unity developers with a brief guide to the three main alternatives, and which one makes the most sense for your indie game.
1. Migrate from Unity to GameMaker
Chicory: A Colorful Story, made in GameMaker, developed by Greg Lobanov
| advantage | shortcoming |
|---|---|
| Designed for 2D game creation | Not designed for 3D games |
| Easy to learn | Not using C# language |
| Export to all platforms | Export requires paid license |
| You won't be charged every time you install the game |
GameMaker is not the right choice for every game, and as gamers, if we think your project is better suited for these engines, we will not hesitate to recommend Godot or Unreal to you.
That is, if you're making a 2D game... yes. You should choose GameMaker.
The GameMaker engine is designed to support and simplify 2D game development. We're proud that anyone with an idea for a game can use GameMaker and create it in a fraction of the time it takes with Unity.
Many Unity developers already use GameMaker as a companion tool to help speed up the development of Unity projects, and many more simply switch between tools depending on whether they are making a 2D or 3D game.
GameMaker has produced some visually and mechanically impressive games over the years, including Webbed, Chicory: A Colorful Tale, and the upcoming monster hybrid Critter Crosser.
There's nothing stopping Cuphead, Hollow Knight, Hearthstone or any other 2D Unity game from being made in GameMaker!
Conclusion: If you are developing 2D games, move your Unity games to GameMaker. There is no engine on the market that better meets the needs of 2D game developers.
2. Migrate from Unity to Godot
Sonic Colors: Ultimate by Godot and developed by Sonic Team, Dimps and Blind Squirrel Entertainment
| advantage | shortcoming |
|---|---|
| Supports 2D and 3D development | Limited documentation and tutorials |
| Completely open source | Fewer features and tools than Unity |
| Use C# language | Complex console export |
| You won't be charged every time you install the game |
Godot may be one of the biggest beneficiaries of Unity's latest misstep. Although Godot is still fairly new in the world of game engines, it has already gained popularity for being completely open source and supporting 2D and 3D game development.
Godot supports the C# language you used during your time in Unity, which will definitely make the transition easier. Their open source policy will also be a welcome relief for those who are feeling particularly pained by Unity right now.
Godot does a lot of things right, and if it continues to grow like it has over the past few years, it will be the closest thing we have to a direct replacement for Unity.
The biggest question facing Godot today is whether it is adequately prepared to handle the influx of Unity developers accustomed to more powerful software and richer development tools. Especially for 3D game development, some tools are hard to find or are currently missing entirely, making complex projects even more difficult than those in Unity.
Godot's official documentation has also been an annoyance for its community, often being out of date or missing key details, which can make the learning curve a little steeper than you might think.
Conclusion: Godot is likely to see an influx of developers in the near future, which may force it to accelerate its growth plans to keep up with the crowds. It brings a lot of hope to 3D Unity developers.
3. Migrate from Unity to Unreal
BioShock, produced by Unreal and developed by Irrational Games
| advantage | shortcoming |
|---|---|
| Extremely powerful 3D engine | complex interface |
| Export to all platforms | Too powerful for 2D games |
| Free until you hit $1M in revenue | Not using C# language |
| You won't be charged every time you install the game |
Unreal is the largest player in 3D game development. It's an incredibly powerful tool used to create some of the world's biggest games, such as Mass Effect, Kingdom Hearts, and BioShock.
It's not a tool for amateurs or novices - or at least it shouldn't be. Many former Unity developers will have no choice but to make the jump to Unreal, and if you're making a 3D game, there are definitely worse places to be. You'll be able to take existing projects to the next level and create more demanding 3D games that would otherwise be difficult to handle using Unity.
However, we certainly wouldn't recommend Unreal to 2D game developers: using Unreal to make a 2D game is like lighting a candle with a flamethrower.
Conclusion: Unreal is not a natural replacement for every Unity developer, but if you are making 3D games, you will find all the tools you have used in Unity and more.
4 Conclusion
Unity's decision to charge per installation is outrageous. We all know this, and if Unity didn't know it before the announcement, they certainly know it now.
We certainly accepted the invitation to have some fun at the expense of Unity, but this is a serious issue with real-world consequences. Regardless of whether the company retracts its accusations, the damage to the indie gaming community has been immense, threatening thousands of developers and their games.
We want to make sure the future for you and your indie game projects is safe. We hope this article provides some guidance for any Unity developers looking for a new home, and that those who choose to move to GameMaker enjoy their time with us.
Original link: 3 alternatives to Unity - BimAnt