Should Unity stop it's Free version and just go with subscription based pro?

News & General Discussion
1

There are other posts about Unity moving to a subscription based payment model, but what if to do so Unity had to stop giving away the free version.

Would you be willing to pay monthly for a pro version without having the option to download a free version of Unity?

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2

Sure, if the price was actually competitive and their subscription model wasn’t the mess it is now.

3

I hear $19/month is a popular price for a subscription-only game engine. :wink:

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4

Sorry that is too expensive!

5

I’d be willing to go double if Unity got at least functional feature parity if I didn’t have to shift my workflow over.

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6

Yay for yet another way to beat a dead horse.

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I actually enjoyed back when Unity was $100, it kept out the MMOs. However, being free also allowed Unity to grow, and become the much better than what it would have been, it allowed this community to grow and become something useful.

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8

Actually I do too, but for another reason.

Back then EVERYONE was a paying customer. So when everyone complained, UT had to listen and respond accordingly.

Now its the reverse. Few are paying customers. So when everyone complains UT can simply say “what are you complaining about, its free” and ignore the complaints.

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9

Yes, if it was reasonably priced with better terms and conditions.

Currently … its not.

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10

Currently at $75 a month, probably not.

11

Why would anyone not want something for nothing? :face_with_spiral_eyes:

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No because I use unity free. lol

13

Don’t really care as I’ve already upgraded to Pro … but perhaps when Unity 6 comes out, I’d like a subscription model. To be honest, I think the free version is just denying Unity some revenue.

What I do want though is Unity to step up their game in terms of features. That, to me, is the real benefit of the competition from Unreal. I don’t see how Unity can be complacent in the face of such competition from a feature perspective. Price is irrelevant to me but features and quality is not.

14

Yes, provided they match UE’s offering on Pro

15

Well it will weed out a lot of the noobs who want to make an MMORPG. BUT the free version is awesome and I plan on upgrading once I become a millionaire after my game kicks off. Cause its so awesome.

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16

Yes, please.

Make it $20 a month, with PlayMaker, Shaderforge and other goodies. Then stop the free version.

Optionally,
Only allow those $20 a month subscription holders to get support on the forums when they pay for the subscription.

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  • Unlimited Pro trial with a “not for commercial release” watermark.
  • If you drop $30, the watermark goes away for a month
  • To compensate for Unity not wanting to take revenue share, make it so that you need an up to date version to release updates and the like. This way, people will keep up to date on subs.
  • To further keep people up to date on subs, make it so they can’t access the asset store outside of the ability to download assets they’ve already paid for. Keep them locked to the version they downloaded unless they’ve paid for that month. This incentivises people keeping up to date to make sure their assets are up to date.
  • Hell, with these systems in place, it wouldn’t even be unreasonable to charge an additional $30 per month for mobile licenses.
  • Are you using multiple mobile licenses? Well now it’s a great deal because if you have a desktop, iOS, and Android license you get a bulk order discount so it’s only $80 a month. That’s a $10 savings! Which seems like it’s not very much but any savings looks pretty impressive.
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I personally prefer paying straight up rather than monthly.

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Free version. Why? Because…I’m hobbyist dev/indie-noob dev at the moment, but Unity allows me to have fun and freedom. Selfish reasons. But…I’m sure theres a benefit to a free version. Unity will figure it out ;). THANK YOU UNITY. I do plan to get Unity pro eventually.

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I’m looking to change jobs but not ready to make the jump yet. $75 is just too much for the increased feature set.