Time to make a decision. Indie or Commercial?

News & General Discussion
1

Hello Again,

My trial version will be ending in a week or so and I have to make a decision as to which license to buy. Indie or commercial? I am hoping to get the thoughts of the community to help me decide. Here are a few variables.

  1. I am sure that I will not make the next great game of the year.
  2. I am not the most talented programmer or modeler (okay, not talented at all)
  3. I currently own 3 licenses to other game engines.
  4. I’m still figuring out how to use my new Mac. (Spelled it right this time. LOL)
  5. I really have faith that I can complete a project with Unity
  6. I hate not having all features the Unity engine has to offer if I select the Indie license.
  7. Fear that this will be just another engine I’ll own and do nothing with.
  8. I know that game development is a true hobby for me and always will be.

These thoughts are running through my head as I try to decide which version to purchase. I am sure that many have had the same thoughts while deciding and I am hoping to benefit from their experience. Any insight is very welcome. Thanks again for all the help.

William

2

You definitely need to buy one or the other. Unity’s the number one reason to use a computer instead of an abacus. UT may not like me saying this, but why not get Indie for now, and upgrade if you feel annoyed with not having a few features, and your pockets are deep enough? There is currently no monetary penalty whatsoever for going this route. I, for one, am having a great time with Indie, and for someone who’s new to this whole game-making scene, there is more than enough there to keep me busy, and getting great results, for a long time to come.

However, I’m definitely moving to Pro once I have the funds for it. Also, Indie isn’t non-commercial! You can use it to make commercial games as well!

3

I’d say its a no brainier… buy the indie version.

If/when you start selling a game you have made in Unity, you can then upgrade to Pro and take advantage of the Prod features… the most important one being able to produce Windows builds.

4

I’d say Indie as well. The upgrade later if you want to.

5

Yeah, Go indie.

The only reason I can see to start immediately with PRO is if your really really really really need movie support in your game. Shadows and better rendering water can always be added later on.

6

You can make games of reallly high quality with the indie license. I say go Indie and when the time comes when you realize, that you WILL create the game of the year, go pro and make use of the additional features.

7

Just so you know, it costs $50 more to upgrade from indie to pro than it does to just buy pro. The extra $50 is for “admin fees” IIRC.

  1. I am sure that I will not make the next great game of the year.

None of us are. Part of the fun of discovery. :wink:

  1. I am not the most talented programmer or modeler (okay, not talented at all)

You may not be now, but you can be if you work at it. It’s never really starting skillset that matters, it’s tenacity that counts. If you want it, you’ll get it.

  1. I currently own 3 licenses to other game engines.

A lot of use own more than one. It’s all part of the process of finding the right fit for you and for what you plan to do.

  1. I’m still figuring out how to use my new Mac. (Spelled it right this time. LOL)

Not an issue. Just practice. (no kidding? lol)

  1. I really have faith that I can complete a project with Unity

Good.

  1. I hate not having all features the Unity engine has to offer if I select the Indie license.

That is reason enough if you are serious about game dev, and can afford it.

  1. Fear that this will be just another engine I’ll own and do nothing with.

That is up to you. It has been said that your effort towards something is directly proportional to your desire for it to exist. If you really want it, you’ll do it. If not, then Unity may just be a toy for you, and if it brings you joy, what’s wrong with that?

  1. I know that game development is a true hobby for me and always will be.

Again, that’s up to you. You never know what the future will hold.

If you can afford it and want it, get Pro. There is really no question. Think of the money we spend on “toys” without thinking twice, but when it comes to spending money on a more useful tool, we all go into this line of thought. Ironic.

If you’ll enjoy it, and the money is not an issue, then have fun!

But, indie is very very powerful on its own as well, as has been said.

I hope my perspective has helped,
-Jeremy

8

That’s actually not the case anymore…Indie is $200, Pro is $1500, upgrade is $1300.

–Eric

9

Groovy, nice of UT to nix that as it was confusing to a lot of people. Thanks Eric.

-Jeremy

10

That was my fear too when I first found out about Unity. That’s 2 years ago by the way.

It’s a hobby of mine too, :smile:
It’s worth going pro even if video game making is just a hobby.

Ray

11

I bought pro, and its a hobby for me as well (albeit a very time consuming hobby). The lure of those post processing effects was too strong. I’m only human after all.