Project handover with assets from the Asset Store

Asset Store
1

I need to handover a project that contains several paid assets to an external team. How should I properly handle it, should I;

a) Leave all the assets intact in the project folder, and give them a list of assets that they need to buy. Risk is they might not even repurchase the assets and basically get them for free.

or

b) Exclude all the assets, give them a list of assets that they need to have before being able to even run the game. Risk is that the project might break down if the assets used are of different version.

I clearly think it should be b), but I’m afraid it will go bonkers on their side and I’ll get in trouble. Advise please :slight_smile:

2

c) Create a new account with all of the assets required for the game from the asset store. Handover that account with the game.

Disclaimer: I haven’t actually done this myself, but it should be possible.

3

What’s the difference if I just link them the assets needed?

I forgot to mention that this is a complete handover, as I won’t be revisiting it ever again. Creating a new account and repurchasing is just going to increase my cost. :face_with_spiral_eyes:

4

Someone’s got to foot the cost. You don’t have permission to redistribute the assets. So someone has to purchase a new copy.

2 Likes
5

My team is being disbanded as I write this, so budget wise we don’t have any :smile:

I guess I could tell the management to go with option C), just not sure how they will react

6

This may be a good time to contact Unity support with an e-mail.

As far as I know, you cannot transfer the assets from one personal Asset Store account to another. However, if the assets were purchased as part of a business account and the entirety of the business account were being absorbed by this new team/business, Unity might have a way to transfer the assets. (That would be my hope since there are often ways to transfer the rights to software licenses when one business buys out or takes over another.)

You could just tell the people inheriting this project that they have to deal with it, though that would seem pretty unprofessional if I were in their shoes. @Kiwasi is right in that the Asset Store license doesn’t allow you to just hand over assets you’ve purchased; they’re linked to you and your account.

What you definitely do not want is to ignore the problem and then have the company taking over end up with legal issues down the road. That will do terrible things for your reputation and could have other repercussions.

So, I’d personally make sure that the new group is aware of the assets being used and that they would need their own licenses, then also contact Unity support if part of your deal with this new company includes transferring all business assets or something similar.

3 Likes
7

The management is finding it fit to just outsource everything to this other party, so as a result I got the news that the team is being shut down by the end of this month. I guess complete handover is technically incorrect, since the company still owns the IP is just that they’re shutting us down.

8

There are so many different permutations of this scenario that it’s difficult to tell where your obligations lie. But it sounds like you can just throw it up the chain to your manager, and if they suggest doing something dodgy, quietly email support at Unity.

2 Likes
9

Sorry you’re getting outsourced.

Just do (b).

Make sure it works with the versions of the assets currently on the Asset Store, and convince your management to stick around for the handoff to make sure it goes smoothly.

1 Like
10

While being paid. If they are shuttering your position - the least they can do is pay you for your time to make sure transition goes well.
If they don’t agree to payment for your time - walk away. It’s there problem, caused by there own decisions.

3 Likes
11

This. It really sounds like the OP owes the company nothing.

12

Thanks for the replies, helps me cope with the situation better :smile:

My team kind of have a mixed feeling about the decision, some of us even expect it since we didn’t even receive our funds (just our monthly pay). I had to fork my own money to pay some of the licenses in advanced just to get the project up to speed.

It’s weird, I was the one who started the team with detailed planning and budgeting (with help with some you here :)) but the management freaked out because our main artist decided to work on his own thing. I only have last weekend to to find someone to replace him by the end of the month; if it’s a freshman than it might be possible, but an experienced one? :roll_eyes: