Content deleted Content added
No edit summary Tags: Reverted Mobile edit Mobile web edit |
Joaco101097 (talk | contribs) |
||
| (365 intermediate revisions by more than 100 users not shown) | |||
Line 2:
{{Use American English|date=May 2019}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=May 2019}}
{{Infobox
| name = Unity
| logo = Unity 2021.svg
| logo_size = 200px
| screenshot =
| caption =
| developer = [[Unity Technologies]]
| released = 1.0 / {{Start date and age|2005|06|08}}
| latest_release_version = 6000.0.53f1 (LTS)
| latest_release_date = <br>{{Start date and age|2025|07|09}}<ref>{{cite web |url=https://unity.com/releases/editor/archive |title=Unity download archive |website=Unity |access-date=July 22, 2025 |archive-date=January 10, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200110064054/https://unity3d.com/get-unity/download/archive |url-status=live }}</ref>
| latest preview version = Unity 6000.2.0b10 (Beta) <br> 6000.3.0a2 (Alpha)
| latest preview date = <br>{{Start date and age|2025|07|16}}<ref>{{cite web |url=https://unity.com/releases/editor/beta/ |title=Unity Editor Beta Releases |website=Unity |access-date=July 22, 2025 |archive-date=August 10, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220810134044/https://unity3d.com/beta/2022.2b |url-status=live }}</ref> <br> {{Start date and age|2025|07|17}}<ref>{{cite web |url=https://unity3d.com/unity/alpha/ |title=Unity Editor Alpha Releases |website=Unity |access-date=July 22, 2025 |archive-date=October 8, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221008070338/https://unity3d.com/unity/alpha |url-status=live }}</ref>
| programming language = {{Unbulleted list|[[C++]] (runtime)<ref name=programming_language>{{cite web|last=Brodkin|first=Jon|url=https://insights.dice.com/2013/06/03/how-unity3d-become-a-game-development-beast/|title=How Unity3D Became a Game-Development Beast|date=June 3, 2013|access-date=August 28, 2020|archive-date=October 19, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181019160750/https://insights.dice.com/2013/06/03/how-unity3d-become-a-game-development-beast/|url-status=live}}</ref> |[[C Sharp (programming language)|C#]] (Unity Scripting API)}}
| platform = See {{section link||Supported platforms}}
| license = [[Proprietary software
| website = {{Official URL}}
}}
'''Unity''' is a [[cross-platform]] [[game engine]] developed by [[Unity Technologies]], first announced and released in June 2005 at [[Apple Worldwide Developers Conference]] as a [[MacOS|Mac OS X]] game engine. The engine has since been gradually extended to support a variety of [[Desktop computer|desktop]], [[Mobile phone|mobile]], [[Video game console|console]], [[augmented reality]], and [[virtual reality]] platforms. It is particularly popular for [[iOS]] and [[Android (operating system)|Android]] mobile game development, is considered easy to use for beginner developers, and is popular for [[indie game]] development.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Dealessandri |first1=Marie |title=What is the best game engine: is Unity right for you? |url=https://www.gamesindustry.biz/articles/2020-01-16-what-is-the-best-game-engine-is-unity-the-right-game-engine-for-you |website=GamesIndustry.biz |publisher=[[Gamer Network]] |language=en |date=16 January 2020 |access-date=April 27, 2021 |archive-date=April 4, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200404134031/https://www.gamesindustry.biz/articles/2020-01-16-what-is-the-best-game-engine-is-unity-the-right-game-engine-for-you |url-status=live }}</ref>
The engine can be used to create [[Three-dimensional space|three-dimensional]] (3D) and [[Two-dimensional space|two-dimensional]] (2D) games, as well as interactive [[Computer simulation|simulations]].<ref name="Easier">{{cite news |title=Unity at 10: For better—or worse—game development has never been easier |last1=Axon |first1=Samuel |url=https://arstechnica.com/gaming/2016/09/unity-at-10-for-better-or-worse-game-development-has-never-been-easier/ |work=Ars Technica |date=September 27, 2016 |access-date=October 17, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181005025906/https://arstechnica.com/gaming/2016/09/unity-at-10-for-better-or-worse-game-development-has-never-been-easier/ |archive-date=October 5, 2018 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=John Riccitiello Q&A: How Unity CEO views Epic's Fortnite success |last1=Takahashi |first1=Dean |url=https://venturebeat.com/2018/09/15/john-riccitiello-interview-how-unity-ceo-views-epics-fortnite-success/ |work=VentureBeat |date=September 15, 2018 |access-date=October 17, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180917204618/https://venturebeat.com/2018/09/15/john-riccitiello-interview-how-unity-ceo-views-epics-fortnite-success/ |archive-date=September 17, 2018 |url-status=live }}</ref> The engine has been adopted by industries outside video gaming including [[film industry|film]], [[automotive industry|automotive]], [[architecture]], [[engineering]], [[construction]], and the [[United States Armed Forces]].<ref>{{cite web|title=Government & Aerospace|publisher=Unity|url=https://unity.com/solutions/government-aerospace|access-date=August 28, 2021|archive-date=September 13, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210913125838/https://unity.com/solutions/government-aerospace|url-status=live}}</ref>
== History ==
{{Video game timeline
| 2005 = '''Unity 1.0'''
| 2007 = '''Unity 2.0'''
| 2010 = '''Unity 3.0'''
| 2012 = '''Unity 4.0'''
| 2015 = '''Unity 5'''
| 2017 = Unity 2017
| 2018 = Unity 2018
| 2019 = Unity 2019
| 2020 = Unity 2020
| 2021 = Unity 2021
| 2022 = Unity 2022
| 2023 = Unity 2023
| 2024 = '''Unity 6'''
}}
=== Unity 1.0 (2005) ===
The Unity game engine was launched in 2005, aiming to "democratize" game development by making it accessible to more developers.<ref name="Easier" /><ref name="Head">{{cite news |title=Former EA CEO John Riccitiello is now head of Unity |last1=McWhertor |first1=Michael |url=https://www.polygon.com/2014/10/22/7039683/electronic-arts-john-riccitiello-unity-ceo |work=Polygon |date=October 22, 2014 |access-date=October 17, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181205103251/https://www.polygon.com/2014/10/22/7039683/electronic-arts-john-riccitiello-unity-ceo |archive-date=December 5, 2018 |url-status=live }}</ref> It was shown at [[Worldwide Developers Conference]] 2005 by [[Scott Forstall]] on [[Mac OS X]].<ref>{{Cite web |date=2010-06-07 |title=5 Years Later, Unity Used by 170,000 Developers and Available on 9 Different Devices |url=https://techcrunch.com/2010/06/07/unity-3d-turns-5/ |access-date=2024-02-19 |website=TechCrunch |language=en-US |archive-date=February 19, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240219092001/https://techcrunch.com/2010/06/07/unity-3d-turns-5/ |url-status=live }}</ref> The next year, Unity was named runner-up in the Best Use of Mac OS X Graphics category in [[Apple Inc.]]'s Apple Design Awards.<ref>{{cite web |title=Apple Design Award winners announced |date=August 9, 2006 |first=Jeff |last=Smykill |publisher=ArsTechnica |url=https://arstechnica.com/apple/2006/08/4937/ |access-date=January 18, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150119065320/http://arstechnica.com/apple/2006/08/4937/ |archive-date=January 19, 2015 |url-status=live }}</ref> Unity was initially released for Mac OS X, later adding support for Microsoft Windows and Web browsers.<ref name="Beast">{{cite news |title=How Unity3D Became a Game-Development Beast |last1=Brodkin |first1=Jon |url=https://insights.dice.com/2013/06/03/how-unity3d-become-a-game-development-beast/ |work=Dice Insights |date=June 3, 2013 |access-date=October 30, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181019160750/https://insights.dice.com/2013/06/03/how-unity3d-become-a-game-development-beast/ |archive-date=October 19, 2018 |url-status=live }}</ref>
=== Unity 2.0 (2007) ===
Unity 2.0 launched in 2007 with approximately 50 new features. DirectX support was added in 2.0.<ref name="Unity 2.0">{{cite news |title=Unity 2.0 game engine now available |last1=Cohen |first1=Peter |url=https://www.macworld.com/article/1060484/unity.html |work=[[PCWorld]] |date=October 11, 2007 |access-date=January 14, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190320210247/https://www.macworld.com/article/1060484/unity.html |archive-date=March 20, 2019 |url-status=live }}</ref> The release included an optimized terrain engine for detailed 3D environments, real-time dynamic shadows, directional lights and spotlights, video playback, and other features.<ref name="Unity 2.0" /> The release also added
=== Unity 3.0 (2010) ===
Unity 3.0 launched in September 2010 with features expanding the engine's graphics features for desktop computers and video game consoles.<ref name="Unity 3.0">{{cite news |title=Unity 3 brings very expensive dev tools at a very low price |last1=Girard |first1=Dave |url=https://arstechnica.com/information-technology/2010/09/unity-3-brings-very-expensive-dev-tools-at-a-very-low-price/?comments=1 |work=[[Ars Technica]] |date=September 27, 2010 |access-date=January 14, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140224085322/http://arstechnica.com/information-technology/2010/09/unity-3-brings-very-expensive-dev-tools-at-a-very-low-price/?comments=1 |archive-date=February 24, 2014 |url-status=live }}</ref> In addition to Android support, Unity 3 featured integration of Illuminate Labs' Beast Lightmap tool, deferred rendering, a built-in tree editor, native font rendering, automatic [[UV mapping]], and audio filters, among other
=== Unity 4.0 (2012) ===
Line 42 ⟶ 54:
=== Unity 5 (2015) ===
''The Verge'' said of 2015's Unity 5 release: "Unity started with the goal of making game development universally accessible. [...] Unity 5 is a long-awaited step towards that future."<ref>{{Cite web |last=Robertson |first=Adi |date=March 3, 2015 |title=Unity officially releases its new game engine: Unity 5 |url=https://www.theverge.com/2015/3/3/8142099/unity-5-engine-release |
However, some gamers criticized Unity's accessibility due to the high volume of quickly produced games published on the Steam distribution platform by inexperienced developers.<ref>{{cite web |last=Dale |first=Laura Kate |date=July 6, 2015 |title=Unity – does indie gaming's biggest engine have an image problem? |url=https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2015/jul/06/unity-indie-gamings-biggest-engine-john-riccitiello/ |
===
In December 2016, Unity Technologies announced that they would change the [[Software versioning|
Unity 2018 featured the Scriptable Render Pipeline for developers to create high-end graphics.<ref name="Unity 2018">{{cite news |last1=Batchelor |first1=James |date=March 20, 2018 |title=Unity 2018 detailed in GDC keynote |
'''Unity Hub''',<ref>{{Cite web |title=Unity Hub – Manage Editor versions and collaborate with other creators {{!}} [site:name] |url=https://unity.com/unity-hub |access-date=2025-03-07 |website=Unity |language=en |archive-date=March 12, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250312095457/https://unity.com/unity-hub |url-status=live }}{{primary source inline|date=March 2025}}</ref> introduced in 2018, streamlines project and engine version management.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2025-01-03 |title=What is the Unity Hub? |url=https://support.unity.com/hc/en-us/articles/360061586571-What-is-the-Unity-Hub |access-date=2025-03-07 |website=Unity Support Help Center |language=en-US |archive-date=March 12, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250312134338/https://support.unity.com/hc/en-us/articles/360061586571-What-is-the-Unity-Hub |url-status=live }}{{primary source inline|date=March 2025}}</ref> It replaces manual version switching, centralizing installations, project creation, and licenses.
The C# [[source code]] of Unity was published under a "reference-only" license in March 2018, which prohibits reuse and modification.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Chapple |first1=Craig |title=Unity publishes reference-only C# source code on GitHub |url=https://www.pocketgamer.biz/news/67809/unity-publishes-reference-only-c-source-code-on-github/ |website=pocketgamer.biz |date=26 March 2018 |access-date=May 20, 2021 |archive-date=June 16, 2022 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20220616110145/https://www.pocketgamer.biz/news/67809/unity-publishes-reference-only-c-source-code-on-github/ |url-status=live }}</ref> As of 2020, software built with Unity's game engine was running on more than 1.5 billion devices. According to Unity, apps made with their game engine account for 50 percent of all mobile games
In June 2020, Unity introduced the Mixed and Augmented Reality Studio (MARS), which provides developers with additional functionality for the rules-based generation of augmented reality (AR) applications.<ref name="Unity MARS">{{cite news |title=Unity MARS Augmented and Mixed Reality authoring studio now available |last1=Sprigg |first1=Sam |url=https://www.auganix.org/unity-mars-augmented-and-mixed-reality-authoring-studio-now-available/ |work=auganix.org |date=June 8, 2018 |access-date=October 1, 2020 |archive-date=September 26, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200926190900/https://www.auganix.org/unity-mars-augmented-and-mixed-reality-authoring-studio-now-available/ |url-status=live}}</ref> Unity released Unity Forma, an automotive and retail solution tool, on December 9, 2020.<ref>{{cite web |date=December
Unity 2021 brought multiple new features such as Bolt, Unity's Visual Scripting system, a new multiplayer library to support multiplayer games, improved Il2cpp runtime performance, and Volumetric clouds for the High Definition Render pipeline.<ref>{{Cite web |last1=Yves Donzallaz |first1=Pierre |last2=Benyoub |first2=Anis |date=2021-11-05 |title=Experience true Volumetric Clouds with HDRP & Unity 2021.2 |url=https://blog.unity.com/technology/experience-true-volumetric-clouds-with-hdrp-unity-20212 |access-date=2022-02-18 |website=Unity Blog |language=en |archive-date=February 18, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220218091702/https://blog.unity.com/technology/experience-true-volumetric-clouds-with-hdrp-unity-20212 |url-status=live }}</ref> Shadow caching and Screen Space Global Illumination for HDRP.<ref>{{Cite web|title=High Definition Render Pipeline - Unity Platform - Rendering & Visual Effects|url=https://portal.productboard.com/unity/1-unity-platform-rendering-visual-effects/tabs/18-high-definition-render-pipeline|access-date=2022-02-18|website=portal.productboard.com|language=en|archive-date=February 18, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220218091659/https://portal.productboard.com/unity/1-unity-platform-rendering-visual-effects/tabs/18-high-definition-render-pipeline|url-status=live}}</ref> For the Universal Render Pipeline, it added new features such as point light shadows, Deferred renderer, and general core engine improvements and fixes.<ref>{{Cite web |last1=Hauwert |first1=Ralph |last2=Bowell |first2=Andrew |date=2020-08-13 |title=The road to 2021 |url=https://blog.unity.com/technology/the-road-to-2021 |access-date=2022-02-18 |website=Unity Blog |language=en |archive-date=February 18, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220218091701/https://blog.unity.com/technology/the-road-to-2021 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Peterson |first=Josh |date=2022-02-17 |title=Feature highlight: IL2CPP runtime performance improvements in Unity 2021.2 |url=https://blog.unity.com/technology/feature-highlight-il2cpp-runtime-performance-improvements-in-unity-20212 |access-date=2022-02-18 |website=Unity Blog |language=en |archive-date=February 18, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220218091705/https://blog.unity.com/technology/feature-highlight-il2cpp-runtime-performance-improvements-in-unity-20212 |url-status=live }}</ref> Full Apple Silicon support was also added in Unity 2021.2. Unity Hub support for Apple Silicon editors arrived in version 3.0 in January 2022.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Official - Apple silicon support through the Unity Hub |url=https://forum.unity.com/threads/apple-silicon-support-through-the-unity-hub.1222971/ |access-date=2023-02-11 |website=Unity Forum |date=January 10, 2022 |language=en-US |archive-date=February 11, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230211145015/https://forum.unity.com/threads/apple-silicon-support-through-the-unity-hub.1222971/ |url-status=live }}</ref>
Changes to Unity 2022 were intended to improve productivity by reducing the time required to enter play mode and import files and implementing visual search queries and multi-selection in the package manager.<ref name=":2">{{Cite web |last= |first= |date=26 November 2022 |title=Unity 2022.1 Tech Stream |url=https://unity.com/releases/2022.1#enhanced-productivity |url-status=live |access-date=26 November 2022 |website=Unity.com |archive-date=February 9, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230209124926/https://unity.com/releases/2022.1#enhanced-productivity }}</ref> For 2D projects, changes focused on accelerating core software, import, animation, and physics. Sprite atlasing was revised. Support for [[PSD (file format)|PSD]] extension files and layer management were added to the 2D PSD Importer, and [[Delaunay tessellation field estimator|Delaunay tessellation]] for 2D physics was added.<ref name=":2" />
=== Unity 6 (2024)===
On November 16, 2023, Unity announced that the next version of the engine would be called Unity 6, reverting to the previous version numbering convention. Unity 6 launched on October 17, 2024, with new features including new [[Generative artificial intelligence|generative AI]] tools, called Unity Muse and Unity Sentis.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Francis |first=Bryant |date=16 November 2023 |title=The next version of Unity will be called Unity 6 |url=https://www.gamedeveloper.com/business/the-next-version-of-unity-will-be-called-unity-6 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231116095642/https://www.gamedeveloper.com/business/the-next-version-of-unity-will-be-called-unity-6 |archive-date=16 November 2023 |access-date=17 November 2023 |website=Game Developer}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.ign.com/articles/we-want-to-be-a-fundamentally-different-and-better-company-says-new-unity-boss-as-unity-6-launches | title='We Want to be a Fundamentally Different and Better Company,' Says New Unity Boss as Unity 6 Launches | date=October 17, 2024 }}</ref> The release introduced new workflows for creating online multiplayer content, performance enhancements for web projects, and improved graphic rendering.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2024-10-17 |title=Unity mounts a comeback with launch of Unity 6 game engine |url=https://www.engadget.com/gaming/unity-mounts-a-comeback-with-launch-of-unity-6-game-engine-205332034.html |access-date=2025-03-17 |website=Engadget |language=en-US}}</ref>
Unity also announced plans for a revised licensing agreement, including a runtime fee (see {{section link||Runtime fee controversy}}).<ref>{{cite web |last1=Griffiths |first1=Daniel |title=Unity CEO Jim Whitehurst tackles the Runtime Fee farrago one last time |url=https://www.pocketgamer.biz/news/82891/unity-ceo-jim-whitehurst-tackles-the-runtime-fee-farrago-one-last-time/ |website=pocketgamer.biz |date=17 November 2023}}</ref> In response to backlash, Unity canceled this runtime fee in September 2024.<ref name="Takahashi 13-Sep-24" />
==
Within 2D games, Unity allows importation of sprites and an advanced 2D world renderer. For 3D games, Unity allows specification of [[texture compression]], [[mipmap]]s, and resolution settings for each platform that the game engine supports,<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://unity3d.com/unity/features/multiplatform |title=Unity – Multiplatform |website=Unity |publisher=[[Unity Technologies]] |access-date=June 27, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180612185354/https://unity3d.com/unity/features/multiplatform |archive-date=June 12, 2018 |url-status=live }}</ref> and provides support for [[bump mapping]], [[reflection mapping]], [[parallax mapping]], [[screen space ambient occlusion]] (SSAO), dynamic shadows using [[shadow map]]s, [[Framebuffer object|render-to-texture]] and full-screen post-processing effects.<ref>{{cite web |title=Using DirectX11 in Unity 4 |url=http://docs.unity3d.com/Documentation/Manual/DirectX11.html |publisher=[[Unity Technologies]] |access-date=February 19, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130312140345/http://docs.unity3d.com/Documentation/Manual/DirectX11.html |archive-date=March 12, 2013 |url-status=dead }}</ref> Two separate [[Graphics pipeline|render pipelines]] are available, ''High Definition Render Pipeline'' (HDRP) and ''Universal Render Pipeline'' (URP, previously LWRP), in addition to the legacy built-in pipeline.<ref>{{cite web |last=Torres Bonet |first=Ruben |date=April 19, 2018 |title=Unity SRP Overview: Scriptable Render Pipeline |url=https://www.gamedeveloper.com/programming/unity-srp-overview-scriptable-render-pipeline |access-date=11 December 2022 |website=[[Game Developer (website)|Game Developer]] |archive-date=December 11, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221211090516/https://www.gamedeveloper.com/programming/unity-srp-overview-scriptable-render-pipeline |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="Technologies">{{Cite web |last=
Creators can develop and sell user-generated assets to other game makers via the Unity Asset Store. This includes 3D and 2D assets and environments for developers to buy and sell.<ref name="Revolutionize">{{cite news |last1=Savov |first1=Vlad |date=June 30, 2017 |title=Unity is the little game engine that could revolutionize animated movies |work=[[The Verge]] |url=https://www.theverge.com/2017/6/30/15899446/unity-cinemachine-unite-europe-2017-animation |url-status=live |access-date=October 29, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180909064348/https://www.theverge.com/2017/6/30/15899446/unity-cinemachine-unite-europe-2017-animation |archive-date=September 9, 2018}}</ref> Unity Asset Store launched in 2010. By 2018, there had been approximately 40 million downloads through the digital store.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Grubb |first1=Jeff |date=July 18, 2018 |title=Unity's asset store boss has big plans to fight Epic's Unreal |work=[[VentureBeat]] |url=https://venturebeat.com/2018/07/18/unitys-asset-store-boss-has-big-plans-to-fight-epics-unreal/ |url-status=live |access-date=October 30, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180909130049/https://venturebeat.com/2018/07/18/unitys-asset-store-boss-has-big-plans-to-fight-epics-unreal/ |archive-date=September 9, 2018}}</ref>
== Supported platforms ==
Unity is a cross-platform engine.<ref>{{cite interview |interviewer=Dean Takahashi |first=John |last=Riccitiello |date=October 23, 2014 |url=https://venturebeat.com/2014/10/23/john-riccitiello-sets-out-to-identify-the-engine-of-growth-for-unity-technologies-interview/ |title=John Riccitiello sets out to identify the engine of growth for Unity Technologies (interview) |work=VentureBeat |access-date=January 18, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150117174953/http://venturebeat.com/2014/10/23/john-riccitiello-sets-out-to-identify-the-engine-of-growth-for-unity-technologies-interview/ |archive-date=January 17, 2015 |url-status=live }}</ref> The Unity editor is supported on [[Microsoft Windows|Windows]], [[macOS]], and the [[Linux]] platform, while the engine itself currently supports building games for more than 19 different platforms, including mobile, desktop, consoles, and virtual reality.<ref>{{cite news |title=Video game company grabs two buildings on Mission Street for big expansion |last1=Kelliher |first1=Fiona |url=https://www.bizjournals.com/sanfrancisco/news/2018/08/24/video-game-unity-san-francisco-soma.html |newspaper=San Francisco Business Times |date=August 24, 2018 |access-date=October 17, 2018 |archive-date=October 3, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191003204232/https://www.bizjournals.com/sanfrancisco/news/2018/08/24/video-game-unity-san-francisco-soma.html |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="Robertson">{{cite news |title=Unity officially releases its new game engine: Unity 5 |last1=Robertson |first1=Adi |url=https://www.theverge.com/2015/3/3/8142099/unity-5-engine-release |work=The Verge |date=March 3, 2015 |access-date=October 17, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181116122512/https://www.theverge.com/2015/3/3/8142099/unity-5-engine-release |archive-date=November 16, 2018 |url-status=live }}</ref> ''Unity 2022.3 LTS'' officially supports the following platforms:<ref>{{Cite web|last=|first=|title=Unity - Manual: System requirements for Unity 2020 LTS|url=https://docs.unity3d.com/Manual/system-requirements.html|url-status=live|access-date=2021-04-15|website=docs.unity3d.com|language=en|archive-date=April 15, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210415212024/https://docs.unity3d.com/Manual/system-requirements.html}}</ref>
* Mobile platforms [[iOS]],<ref name="HalfAllGames">{{cite news |title=Unity CEO says half of all games are built on Unity |last1=Dillet |first1=Romain |url=https://techcrunch.com/2018/09/05/unity-ceo-says-half-of-all-games-are-built-on-unity/ |work=[[TechCrunch]] |date=September 5, 2018 |access-date=December 3, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181220182337/https://techcrunch.com/2018/09/05/unity-ceo-says-half-of-all-games-are-built-on-unity/ |archive-date=December 20, 2018 |url-status=live }}</ref> [[iPadOS]], [[Android (operating system)|Android]]<ref name="HalfAllGames" /> ([[Android TV]]<ref name="GettingStarted">{{cite book|last1=Lavieri|first1=Edward|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=7AxTDwAAQBAJ|title=Getting Started with Unity 2018: A Beginner's Guide to 2D and 3D game development with Unity, 3rd Edition|publisher=Packt Publishing|year=2018|isbn=9781788832915|page=20|access-date=December 4, 2018}}</ref>), [[tvOS]];<ref>{{cite news|last1=Suckley|first1=Matt|date=December 10, 2015|title=Unity 5.3 launches with improved support for iOS 9 and WebGL|work=Pocketgamer.biz|url=https://www.pocketgamer.biz/news/62426/unity-5-point-3-launches/|url-status=live|access-date=December 4, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190322173334/https://www.pocketgamer.biz/news/62426/unity-5-point-3-launches/|archive-date=March 22, 2019}}</ref>
* Desktop platforms [[Microsoft Windows|Windows]]<ref name="HalfAllGames" /> ([[Universal Windows Platform]]<ref>{{cite news |title=Unity 5.5 can now be used to create HoloLens augmented reality titles |last1=Coppock |first1=Mark |url=https://www.digitaltrends.com/computing/unity-5-5-adds-windows-holographic-support/ |work=[[Digital Trends]] |date=November 30, 2016 |access-date=December 3, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190209152436/https://www.digitaltrends.com/computing/unity-5-5-adds-windows-holographic-support/ |archive-date=February 9, 2019 |url-status=live }}</ref>), [[MacOS|Mac]],<ref name="Head" /> [[Linux]],<ref name="Bright">{{cite news |title=Unity game engine heading to the browser without plug-ins |last1=Bright |first1=Peter |url=https://arstechnica.com/gadgets/2014/03/unity-game-engine-heading-to-the-browser-without-plug-ins/ |newspaper=[[Ars Technica]] |date=March 18, 2014 |access-date=October 29, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190322173330/https://arstechnica.com/gadgets/2014/03/unity-game-engine-heading-to-the-browser-without-plug-ins/ |archive-date=March 22, 2019 |url-status=live }}</ref> [[ChromeOS]];
* Web platform [[WebGL]];<ref name="Robertson" />
* Console platforms
* Virtual/Extended reality platforms [[Oculus (brand)|Oculus]],<ref name="HalfAllGames" /> [[PlayStation VR]],<ref>{{cite news |last1=DeNisco Rayome |first1=Alison |date=January 23, 2017 |title=How to become a Unity developer for VR and AR |
Formerly supported platforms are [[Wii]],<ref>{{Cite web|last=Caoili|first=Eric|date=2 June 2008|title=Unity to Support Wii Console as Authorized Middleware Provider|url=https://www.gamedeveloper.com/programming/unity-to-support-wii-console-as-authorized-middleware-provider|url-status=live|access-date=February 22, 2022|website=Game Developer|archive-date=February 23, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220223010702/https://www.gamedeveloper.com/programming/unity-to-support-wii-console-as-authorized-middleware-provider}}</ref> [[Wii U]],<ref>{{Cite web|last=Handrahan|first=Matthew|date=19 September 2012|title=Unity signs "industry first" licensing agreement for Wii U|url=https://www.gamesindustry.biz/articles/2012-09-19-unity-signs-industry-first-licensing-agreement-for-wii-u|url-status=live|access-date=February 22, 2022|website=GamesIndustry.biz|archive-date=April 9, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220409141515/https://www.gamesindustry.biz/articles/2012-09-19-unity-signs-industry-first-licensing-agreement-for-wii-u}}</ref> [[PlayStation 3]],<ref name=":0">{{Cite web|last=DeLoura|first=Mark|date=9 March 2010|title=In-Depth: The State Of Game Engines At GDC 2010|url=https://www.gamedeveloper.com/pc/in-depth-the-state-of-game-engines-at-gdc-2010|url-status=live|access-date=February 22, 2022|website=Game Developer|archive-date=February 23, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220223010706/https://www.gamedeveloper.com/pc/in-depth-the-state-of-game-engines-at-gdc-2010}}</ref> [[Xbox 360]],<ref name=":0" /> [[Tizen]],<ref>{{cite news|last1=Pitcher|first1=Jenna|date=May 24, 2013|title=Unity supporting Linux-based platform Tizen|work=[[Polygon (website)|Polygon]]|url=https://www.polygon.com/2013/5/24/4361686/unity-supporting-linux-based-platform-tizen|url-status=live|access-date=December 3, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190322173329/https://www.polygon.com/2013/5/24/4361686/unity-supporting-linux-based-platform-tizen|archive-date=March 22, 2019}}</ref> [[PlayStation Vita]],<ref>{{cite news|last1=Gilbert|first1=Ben|date=January 15, 2014|title=One of gaming's most-used engines arrives today on PlayStation Vita|work=[[Engadget]]|url=https://www.engadget.com/2014/01/15/playstation-vita-unity/|url-status=live|access-date=December 3, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190214150848/https://www.engadget.com/2014/01/15/playstation-vita-unity/|archive-date=February 14, 2019}}</ref> [[Nintendo 3DS|3DS]],<ref>{{cite news|last1=Jarvis|first1=Matthew|date=February 1, 2016|title=Unity now supports Nintendo 3DS|work=MCVUK|url=https://www.mcvuk.com/development/unity-now-supports-nintendo-3ds|url-status=live|access-date=December 3, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190322173411/https://www.mcvuk.com/development/unity-now-supports-nintendo-3ds|archive-date=March 22, 2019}}</ref> [[BlackBerry 10]],<ref name=":1">{{Cite web|last=Rose|first=Mike|date=22 July 2013|title=Unity now supports Windows Phone 8, Windows Store and BlackBerry 10|url=https://www.gamedeveloper.com/business/unity-now-supports-windows-phone-8-windows-store-and-blackberry-10|url-status=live|access-date=February 22, 2022|website=Game Developer|archive-date=February 23, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220223010705/https://www.gamedeveloper.com/business/unity-now-supports-windows-phone-8-windows-store-and-blackberry-10}}</ref> [[Windows Phone 8]],<ref name=":1" /> [[Samsung Electronics|Samsung Smart TV]],<ref>{{cite news|last1=Harris|first1=Richard|date=August 28, 2014|title=Unity Adds Another Big Screen Option for Game Developers with Unity 4.5 for Samsung Smart TV|work=App Developer Magazine|url=https://appdevelopermagazine.com/unity-adds-another-big-screen-option-for-game-developers-with-unity-4.5-for-samsung-smart-tv/|url-status=live|access-date=December 4, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190322173334/https://appdevelopermagazine.com/unity-adds-another-big-screen-option-for-game-developers-with-unity-4.5-for-samsung-smart-tv/|archive-date=March 22, 2019}}</ref> [[Samsung Gear VR|Gear VR]],<ref name="Robertson" /> [[Google Daydream|Daydream]],<ref name="Date-based">{{cite news|last1=Batchelor|first1=James|date=December 14, 2016|title=Unity dropping major updates in favour of date-based model|work=Gamesindustry.biz|url=https://www.gamesindustry.biz/articles/2016-12-14-unity-dropping-major-updates-in-favour-of-date-based-model|url-status=live|access-date=October 29, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180721192025/https://www.gamesindustry.biz/articles/2016-12-14-unity-dropping-major-updates-in-favour-of-date-based-model|archive-date=July 21, 2018}}</ref> [[Vuforia Augmented Reality SDK|Vuforia]],<ref name="ARCore" />
In August 2023, Unity China announced that it would soon launch a Chinese edition called '''Tuanjie Engine''' ({{Lang-zh|c=|t=|p=Tuánjié Yǐnqíng|s=团结引擎}}) based on Unity 2022 LTS, which includes support for Chinese platforms like [[WeChat|Weixin]] Mini Game, [[OpenHarmony]] and [[AliOS]].<ref>{{Cite web |date=2023-08-23 |title= |script-title=zh:Unity 引擎中国版“团结引擎”正式发布 |trans-title=Chinese edition of Unity Engine 'Tuanjie Engine' officially announced |url=https://www.pingwest.com/w/287305 |access-date=2023-09-17 |website=PingWest |archive-date=April 22, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240422042321/https://www.pingwest.com/w/287305 |url-status=live }}</ref>
During its first ten years as a product, the paid versions of Unity were sold outright; in 2016, the corporation changed to a subscription model.<ref name="Date-based" /> Unity has free and paid licensing options. The free license is for personal use or smaller companies generating less than $100,000 annually, later raised to $200,000, and the subscriptions are based on revenues generated by the games using Unity.<ref name="NewRealities">{{cite news |last1=Matney |first1=Lucas |date=May 25, 2017 |title=With new realities to build, Unity positioned to become tech giant |work=[[TechCrunch]] |url=https://techcrunch.com/2017/05/25/with-new-realities-to-build-unity-positioned-to-become-tech-giant/ |url-status=live |access-date=October 29, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181020173106/https://techcrunch.com/2017/05/25/with-new-realities-to-build-unity-positioned-to-become-tech-giant/ |archive-date=October 20, 2018}}</ref><ref name="Robertson" /> The subscription-based versions also include additional features geared towards professional projects, including analytics, performance analysis and error reporting, and [[Continuous integration|Cloud Build]] among others.<ref name=":3">{{Cite web |last=Sinclair |first=Brendan |date=2015-03-03 |title="There's no royalties, no f***ing around" - Riccitiello |url=https://www.gamesindustry.biz/theres-no-royalties-no-f-ing-around-riccitiello |access-date=2023-09-20 |website=GamesIndustry.biz |language=en |archive-date=September 21, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230921015632/https://www.gamesindustry.biz/theres-no-royalties-no-f-ing-around-riccitiello |url-status=live }}</ref>
The paid option, Unity Pro, had been required for developers that had over $200,000 in annual revenue, but this also could have been provided for console developers through a Preferred Platform License from the console manufacturer. The Unity Pro keys would have been part of the other SDK from the console manufacturer that the developer paid for. In May 2016, Unity released "Unity Plus", a mid-range tier between Personal and Pro that provides tools and benefits oriented towards "first-time commercial developers".<ref>{{Cite magazine |title=Game engine Unity expands its reach with 'Unity Plus' |language=en-GB |magazine=Wired UK |url=https://www.wired.co.uk/article/unity-game-engine-new-launches |access-date=2023-09-12 |issn=1357-0978 |archive-date=October 9, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231009223912/https://www.wired.co.uk/article/unity-game-engine-new-launches |url-status=live }}</ref>
In June 2021, Unity changed its licensing terms to require any developer making games on the closed console systems (PlayStation, Nintendo Switch, and Xbox) regardless of revenue to have a Unity Pro license or a Preferred Platform License Key from the manufacturers. Sony and Nintendo provide this as part of the SDK, but Microsoft had yet to implement this functionality for their SDK.<ref>{{cite web | url = https://www.gamedeveloper.com/programming/going-forward-unity-devs-will-need-unity-pro-to-publish-on-consoles | title = Going forward, Unity devs will need Unity Pro to publish on consoles | first = Bryant | last = Francis | date = August 4, 2021 | access-date = February 22, 2022 | website = Game Developer | archive-date = February 23, 2022 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20220223010704/https://www.gamedeveloper.com/programming/going-forward-unity-devs-will-need-unity-pro-to-publish-on-consoles | url-status = live }}</ref> The engine source code is licensed on a "per-case basis via special arrangements".<ref>{{cite web |title=FAQ Licensing & activation |url=https://unity3d.com/unity/faq/2491 |website=Unity Technologies |access-date=5 May 2021 |language=en |archive-date=May 5, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210505220251/https://unity3d.com/unity/faq/2491 |url-status=live }}</ref>
=== Runtime fee controversy ===
On September 12, 2023, Unity announced that use of the engine would become subject to [[Royalty payment|royalties]] (referred to as a "runtime fee") beginning in January 2024, calculated per-installation and charged monthly, if the product reaches specific revenue and lifetime installation thresholds. Unity states that monetizing the runtime in this manner is required to "allow creators to keep the [[Microtransaction|ongoing financial gains from player engagement]]."<ref>{{Cite web |title=Unity plan pricing and packaging updates |url=https://blog.unity.com/news/plan-pricing-and-packaging-updates |access-date=2023-09-12 |website=Unity Blog |language=en |archive-date=September 13, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230913012740/https://blog.unity.com/news/plan-pricing-and-packaging-updates |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Carpenter |first=Nicole |date=2023-09-12 |title=Game devs say Unity's big change puts studios at risk |url=https://www.polygon.com/23870247/unity-engine-pricing-model-install-fee |access-date=2023-09-12 |website=Polygon |language=en-US |archive-date=September 12, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230912224051/https://www.polygon.com/23870247/unity-engine-pricing-model-install-fee |url-status=live }}</ref>
The new terms faced criticism from game developers who had been using Unity for years, particularly regarding how this fee would be calculated and enforced, and the implications for [[Game demo|demos]], [[Freemium|freemium games]] and bundles distributed for charitable causes.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Stuart |first=Keith |date=2023-09-12 |title=Game developers furious as Unity Engine announces new fees |language=en-GB |work=The Guardian |url=https://www.theguardian.com/games/2023/sep/12/unity-engine-fees-backlash-response |access-date=2023-09-12 |issn=0261-3077}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Plant |first=Logan |date=2023-09-12 |title=Why Unity's New Install Fees Are Spurring Massive Backlash Among Game Developers |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/why-unitys-new-install-fees-are-spurring-massive-backlash-among-game-developers |access-date=2023-09-12 |website=IGN |language=en |archive-date=September 12, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230912223138/https://www.ign.com/articles/why-unitys-new-install-fees-are-spurring-massive-backlash-among-game-developers |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Francis |first=Bryant |date=2023-09-12 |title=Unity introducing new fee attached to game installs |url=https://www.gamedeveloper.com/business/unity-to-start-charging-fee-pegged-to-game-installs |access-date=2023-09-12 |website=Game Developer |language=en |archive-date=September 13, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230913000910/https://www.gamedeveloper.com/business/unity-to-start-charging-fee-pegged-to-game-installs |url-status=live }}</ref> The change was considered to be contradictory to statements made by former CEO John Riccitiello in 2015 when Unity originally announced its shift to free and subscription-based models, stating that all users would "get the full power of Unity for free", and that there would not be royalties (in contrast to [[Unreal Engine]], which had recently switched to free distribution but with royalties paid above a specific revenue threshold).<ref name="arstech legal">{{cite web |last=Orland |first=Kyle |date=2023-09-15 |title=Wait, is Unity allowed to just change its fee structure like that? |url=https://arstechnica.com/gaming/2023/09/wait-is-unity-allowed-to-just-change-its-fee-structure-like-that/ |access-date=2023-09-15 |website=Ars Technica |archive-date=September 15, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230915191448/https://arstechnica.com/gaming/2023/09/wait-is-unity-allowed-to-just-change-its-fee-structure-like-that/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name=":3" />
Unity then issued a statement clarifying the definition of a chargeable "installation", and announced that the fee would not apply to charity games or bundles.<ref>{{cite web | url = https://www.eurogamer.net/unity-backtracks-slightly-on-plans-to-charge-developers-for-game-installs | title = Unity backtracks slightly on plans to charge developers for game installs | first = Tom | last = Phillips | date = September 13, 2023 | accessdate = September 13, 2023 | work = [[Eurogamer]] }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Carpenter |first=Nicole |date=2023-09-12 |title=Game devs say Unity's big change puts studios at risk |url=https://www.polygon.com/23870247/unity-engine-pricing-model-install-fee |access-date=2023-09-13 |website=Polygon |language=en-US |archive-date=September 12, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230912224051/https://www.polygon.com/23870247/unity-engine-pricing-model-install-fee |url-status=live }}</ref> Many indie developers, including ''[[Among Us]]'' developer Innersloth<ref>{{cite news |last1=Bailey |first1=Kat |title=Among Us: Temporary Delisting 'On the Table' as Developer Weighs Engine Swap Amid Unity Scandal |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/among-us-delisting-innersloth |access-date=14 September 2023 |work=IGN |date=13 September 2023 |language=en |archive-date=September 14, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230914080752/https://www.ign.com/articles/among-us-delisting-innersloth |url-status=live }}</ref> and ''[[Slay the Spire]]'' developer Mega Crit, announced that they would switch to other engines for future games, specifically the [[Godot (game engine)|Godot]] engine for ''Slay the Spire 2''.<ref>{{cite web |title=Slay the Spire developer pledges to ditch Unity unless controversial charges plan reversed |url=https://www.eurogamer.net/slay-the-spire-developer-pledges-to-ditch-unity-unless-controversial-charges-plan-reversed |website=Eurogamer.net |language=en |date=14 September 2023}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Wilde |first1=Tyler |title=Slay the Spire 2 ditched Unity for open-source engine Godot after over 2 years of development |url=https://www.pcgamer.com/games/card-games/slay-the-spire-2-ditched-unity-for-open-source-engine-godot-after-2-years-of-development/ |access-date=29 December 2024 |work=PC Gamer |date=11 April 2024 |language=en |archive-date=April 14, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250414082316/https://www.pcgamer.com/games/card-games/slay-the-spire-2-ditched-unity-for-open-source-engine-godot-after-2-years-of-development/ |url-status=live }}</ref>
An analysis by ''[[Ars Technica]]'' found that several older versions of Unity's [[terms of service]] would allow developers to continue to release their software without having to pay the new fee, as long as they did not update their project after the January 1, 2024 date.<ref name="arstech legal"/> ''Ars Technica'' also discovered that Unity had apparently removed a [[GitHub]] repository that permitted developers to track changes in Unity's terms of service;<ref name="arstech legal"/> Mega Crit accused Unity of having done so to apply their new financial model to games retroactively.<ref name="Obedkov 2023 d745">{{cite web | last=Obedkov | first=Evgeny | title=Devs discovered that Unity removed GitHub repo to track license changes and updated its TOS be retroactive | website=Game World Observer | date=2023-09-14 | url=https://gameworldobserver.com/2023/09/14/unity-license-terms-github-repo-removed-retroactive-changes | access-date=2023-09-15}}</ref><ref name="Jones 2023 x644">{{cite magazine | last=Jones | first=Ali | title=Slay the Spire studio serves Unity one of its harshest roasts yet, and other devs love it | magazine=Games Radar | date=2023-09-14 | url=https://www.gamesradar.com/acclaimed-roguelike-developer-demands-unity-walks-back-new-licensing-rules-we-have-never-made-a-public-statement-before-that-is-how-badly-you-fed-up/ | access-date=2023-09-15 | archive-date=September 15, 2023 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230915182138/https://www.gamesradar.com/acclaimed-roguelike-developer-demands-unity-walks-back-new-licensing-rules-we-have-never-made-a-public-statement-before-that-is-how-badly-you-fed-up/ | url-status=live }}</ref> An analysis by ''[[Game Developer (website)|Game Developer]]'' came to the conclusion that the changes were intended to encourage games with large install bases such as ''[[Genshin Impact]]'', ''[[Subway Surfers]]'' and ''[[Hearthstone]]'' to migrate to Unity services in order to get a fee reduction. The article noted that the Operate Solutions division, handling in-app-purchase services for example, was far more profitable than the Create division, and added that "The many indie developers who will be left by the roadside are completely incidental to Unity's goals, and are not going to be a significant factor in its future decision making."<ref>{{cite web |last1=Vilberg |first1=Petter |title=Unity's Just Not Into You, Indie Developer |url=https://www.gamedeveloper.com/blogs/unity-s-just-not-into-you-indie-developer |website=Game Developer |language=en |date=14 September 2023 |access-date=September 15, 2023 |archive-date=November 1, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231101142525/https://www.gamedeveloper.com/blogs/unity-s-just-not-into-you-indie-developer |url-status=live }}</ref> [[Gamer Network|Gameindustry.biz]] described the move as "self-combustion" and identified the changes as an example of [[enshittification]].<ref>{{cite web |last1=Sinclair |first1=Brendan |title=Unity's self-combustion engine {{!}} This Week in Business |url=https://www.gamesindustry.biz/unitys-self-combustion-engine-this-week-in-business |website=GamesIndustry.biz |language=en |date=15 September 2023 |access-date=October 13, 2023 |archive-date=October 12, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231012224902/https://www.gamesindustry.biz/unitys-self-combustion-engine-this-week-in-business |url-status=live }}</ref>
In response to this negative feedback, Unity Technologies introduced revised runtime fee terms on September 22, 2023. These included removing any fees for uses of Unity Personal for projects funded up to $200,000 (an increase from the previous $100,000 threshold), fees would only apply to games developed with Unity 2024 and beyond without any retroactive fees, and the fee would be based on the lesser of 2.5% of monthly revenue or a calculated value based on monthly engagements, both which rely only on self-reporting of these numbers.<ref>{{cite web | url =https://www.ign.com/articles/unity-has-apologized-for-its-install-fee-policy-and-says-it-will-be-making-changes-to-it | title = Unity Has Apologized For Its Install Fee Policy and Says It 'Will Be Making Changes' to It | first = Adam | last = Bankhurst | date = September 17, 2023 | accessdate = September 17, 2023 | work = [[IGN]] }}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url = https://www.ign.com/articles/unity-to-roll-back-some-key-aspects-of-runtime-fee-policy | title = Unity to Roll Back Some Key Aspects of Runtime Fee Policy | first = Alex | last = Steadman | date = September 22, 2023 | accessdate = September 22, 2023 | work = [[IGN]] }}</ref> Unity Technologies faced a 60% decline in stock price over the year to May 2024, partially attributed to the runtime fee policy.<ref>{{cite web |title=Is Unity Software Stock a Buy Now? |url=https://www.aol.com/unity-software-stock-buy-now-120000065.html?guccounter=1 |website=www.aol.com |date=3 July 2024 |access-date=July 17, 2024 |archive-date=July 17, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240717085124/https://www.aol.com/unity-software-stock-buy-now-120000065.html?guccounter=1 |url-status=live }}</ref> Usage of Unity waned after these licensing decisions within the indie game community. The use of Unity at the 2023 [[Global Game Jam]] was 61%; this declined to 36% for 2024. A similar decline was recorded by the [[Game Maker's Toolkit Game Jam|GMTK Game Jam]].<ref>{{cite web |last1=Bespyatova |first1=Ekaterina |title=Organizers of the GMTK Game Jam: Over the year, the share of Unity games declined sharply, while the share of Godot games increased |url=https://app2top.com/news/organizers-of-the-gmtk-game-jam-over-the-year-the-share-of-unity-games-declined-sharply-while-the-share-of-godot-games-increased-270588.html |website=app2top.com |language=ru |date=23 August 2024 |access-date=August 24, 2024 |archive-date=September 9, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240909030224/https://app2top.com/news/organizers-of-the-gmtk-game-jam-over-the-year-the-share-of-unity-games-declined-sharply-while-the-share-of-godot-games-increased-270588.html |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Game Engine Popularity in 2024 |url=https://gamefromscratch.com/game-engine-popularity-in-2024/ |website=GameFromScratch.com |date=29 January 2024 |access-date=August 24, 2024 |archive-date=August 24, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240824101729/https://gamefromscratch.com/game-engine-popularity-in-2024/ |url-status=live }}</ref>
CEO Matthew Bromberg announced in September 2024 that the company was discontinuing the runtime fee model of licensing, and instead would annually increase the price of existing plans.<ref name="Takahashi 13-Sep-24">{{cite news |last1=Takahashi |first1=Dean |title=Unity cancels its much-hated Runtime Fee, opting for traditional price increases instead |url=https://venturebeat.com/games/unity-cancels-its-much-hated-runtime-fee/ |access-date=13 September 2024 |work=VentureBeat |date=12 September 2024 |archive-date=September 12, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240912152617/https://venturebeat.com/games/unity-cancels-its-much-hated-runtime-fee/ |url-status=live }}</ref>
== Usage ==
=== Video games ===
The engine is used in games including ''[[Pokémon Go]]'', ''[[Monument Valley (video game)|Monument Valley]]'', ''[[Call of Duty: Mobile]]'', ''[[Beat Saber]]'' and ''[[Cuphead]]'' according to the ''[[Financial Times]]'' in 2020.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Bradshaw |first1=Tim |last2=Kruppa |first2=Miles |date=12 August 2020 |title=Epic and Unity rev their engines for the next era of entertainment |url=https://www.ft.com/content/f77b7979-c943-4b9d-b7b7-7953b63bea7e |publisher=[[Financial Times]] |access-date=April 26, 2021 |archive-date=August 12, 2020 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20200812195345/https://www.ft.com/content/f77b7979-c943-4b9d-b7b7-7953b63bea7e |url-status=live }}</ref> Some early commercial games in 2007 included ''Splume'' (Flashbang Studios), ''Magical Flying Pink Pony Game'' (Starscene Software) and ''[[Global Conflicts: Palestine]]'' (Serious Games Interactive).<ref>{{Cite AV media |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zQxLM2u-QY4 |title=Unity 10 Year Anniversary Retrospective Highlight Reel |date=June 24, 2015 |type=Videotape |publisher=Unity Technologies |via=YouTube |access-date=February 19, 2024 |archive-date=February 19, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240219091947/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zQxLM2u-QY4 |url-status=live }}</ref><!-- DO NOT ADD MORE GAMES OUTSIDE CITATION -->
{{As of|2018}}, Unity had been used to create approximately half of the mobile games on the market and 60 percent of augmented reality and virtual reality content,<ref name="Bonfiglio">{{cite news |last1=Bonfiglio |first1=Nahila |date=October 1, 2018 |title=DeepMind partners with gaming company for AI research |work=The Daily Dot |url=https://www.dailydot.com/debug/unity-deempind-ai/ |url-status=live |access-date=October 17, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181002122834/https://www.dailydot.com/debug/unity-deempind-ai/ |archive-date=October 2, 2018}}</ref> including approximately 90 percent on emerging augmented reality platforms, such as [[Microsoft HoloLens]], and 90 percent of Samsung Gear VR content.<ref name="NewRealities" /> Unity technology is the basis for most virtual reality and augmented reality experiences, and ''[[Fortune (magazine)|Fortune]]'' said Unity "dominates the virtual reality business".<ref>{{cite news |last1=Gaudiosi |first1=John |date=March 19, 2015 |title=This company dominates the virtual reality business, and it's not named Oculus |work=[[Fortune (magazine)|Fortune]] |url=http://fortune.com/2015/03/19/unity-virtual-reality/ |url-status=live |access-date=November 26, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181205003433/http://fortune.com/2015/03/19/unity-virtual-reality/ |archive-date=December 5, 2018}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Gaudiosi |first1=John |date=February 11, 2016 |title=Why Valve's Partnership With Unity Is Important to Virtual Reality |work=[[Fortune (magazine)|Fortune]] |url=http://fortune.com/2016/02/11/valves-partners-with-unity/ |url-status=live |access-date=November 26, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181208121257/http://fortune.com/2016/02/11/valves-partners-with-unity/ |archive-date=December 8, 2018}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |date=2018 |title=Most Innovative Companies: Unity Technologies |work=[[Fast Company (magazine)|Fast Company]] |url=https://www.fastcompany.com/company/unity-technologies |url-status=dead |access-date=November 26, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180927024813/https://www.fastcompany.com/company/unity-technologies |archive-date=September 27, 2018}}</ref>
=== Machine learning ===
Unity allows researchers in the field of [[deep reinforcement learning]] to train agents inside Unity-created environments.<ref name="CompetentRobots">{{cite news |last1=Captain |first1=Sean |date=September 19, 2017 |title=Machine Learning Is Making Video Game Characters Smarter And Robots More Competent |url=https://www.fastcompany.com/40469609/machine-learning-is-making-video-game-characters-smarter-and-robots-more-competent |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181121082156/https://www.fastcompany.com/40469609/machine-learning-is-making-video-game-characters-smarter-and-robots-more-competent |archive-date=November 21, 2018 |access-date=November 26, 2018 |work=[[Fast Company (magazine)|Fast Company]]}}</ref> Unity Machine Learning Agents can act as virtual characters or robots to learn creative strategies to interact with simulated real-world environments.<ref name="CompetentRobots" /> The software is used, for example, to develop robots and self-driving cars.<ref name="CompetentRobots" /><ref name=":4" />
=== Non-gaming industries ===
In the 2010s, Unity Technologies used its game engine to transition into other industries using the real-time 3D platform, including film and automotive.<ref name="Liptak">{{cite news |title=How Neill Blomkamp and Unity are shaping the future of filmmaking with Adam: The Mirror |last1=Liptak |first1=Andrew |url=https://www.theverge.com/2017/10/4/16409734/unity-neill-blomkamp-oats-studios-mirror-cinemachine-short-film |work=The Verge |date=November 30, 2017 |access-date=October 17, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180925005223/https://www.theverge.com/2017/10/4/16409734/unity-neill-blomkamp-oats-studios-mirror-cinemachine-short-film |archive-date=September 25, 2018 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="Edelstein">{{cite news |title=How gaming company Unity is driving automakers toward virtual reality |last1=Edelstein |first1=Stephen |url=https://www.digitaltrends.com/cars/unity-automotive-virtual-reality-and-hmi/ |work=Digital Trends |date=May 17, 2018 |access-date=October 17, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180807202850/https://www.digitaltrends.com/cars/unity-automotive-virtual-reality-and-hmi/ |archive-date=August 7, 2018 |url-status=live }}</ref> Unity first experimented in filmmaking with ''Adam'', a short film about a robot escaping from prison. Later, Unity partnered with filmmaker [[Neill Blomkamp]], whose [[Oats Studios]] used the engine's tools, including real-time rendering and Cinemachine, to create two computer-generated short films, ''Adam: The Mirror'' and ''Adam: The Prophet''.<ref name="Liptak" /> At the 2017 Unite Europe conference in Amsterdam, Unity focused on filmmaking with Unity 2017.1's new Cinemachine tool.<ref name="Revolutionize" /> In 2018, Disney Television Animation launched three shorts, called Baymax Dreams, that were created using the Unity engine.<ref>{{cite news |title=Disney Television Animation Launching 'Big Hero 6'-Themed Shorts |last1=Giardina |first1=Carolyn |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/behind-screen/disney-television-animation-launching-big-hero-6-themed-shorts-1133450 |work=The Hollywood Reporter |date=August 9, 2018 |access-date=October 17, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180809182203/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/behind-screen/disney-television-animation-launching-big-hero-6-themed-shorts-1133450 |archive-date=August 9, 2018 |url-status=live }}</ref> The Unity engine was also used by Disney to create backgrounds for the 2019 film ''[[The Lion King (2019 film)|The Lion King]]''.<ref>{{cite web |last1=De Vynck |first1=Gerrit |date=May 7, 2020 |title=Unity Technologies Aims to Bring Video Game Tools Into the Real World |url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2020-05-07/unity-technologies-aims-to-bring-video-game-tools-into-the-real-world |url-access=subscription |access-date=March 11, 2021 |work=Bloomberg |archive-date=March 6, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210306132055/https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2020-05-07/unity-technologies-aims-to-bring-video-game-tools-into-the-real-world |url-status=live }}</ref> Automakers use Unity's technology to create full-scale models of new vehicles in virtual reality, build virtual assembly lines, and train workers.<ref name="Edelstein" /> Unity is also developing solutions in the fields of architecture, engineering, and construction.<ref name=":5" />
Unity's engine is used by [[Google DeepMind|DeepMind]], an [[Alphabet Inc.|Alphabet]] company, to train artificial intelligence.<ref name=":4">{{cite news |last1=Captain |first1=Sean |date=September 26, 2018 |title=How Google's DeepMind will train its AI inside Unity's video game worlds |work=[[Fast Company (magazine)|Fast Company]] |url=https://www.fastcompany.com/90240010/deepminds-ai-will-learn-inside-unitys-video-game-worlds |url-status=dead |access-date=October 17, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180927024638/https://www.fastcompany.com/90240010/deepminds-ai-will-learn-inside-unitys-video-game-worlds |archive-date=September 27, 2018}}</ref> Other uses being pursued by Unity Technologies include architecture, engineering, and construction.<ref name=":5">{{cite news |title=Why EA's former boss believes the 3D tech that powers video games will make way more money outside of gaming |last1=Oreskovic |first1=Alexei |url=https://www.businessinsider.com/unity-ceo-john-riccitiello-opportunity-beyond-gaming-2018-9?r=UK&IR=T |work=Business Insider |date=September 14, 2018 |access-date=October 17, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180915012242/https://www.businessinsider.com/unity-ceo-john-riccitiello-opportunity-beyond-gaming-2018-9?r=UK&IR=T |archive-date=September 15, 2018 |url-status=live }}</ref>
== Mascot ==
On December 16, 2013, Unity Technologies Japan revealed an official [[OS-tan|mascot character]] named {{nihongo|Unity-chan|ユニティちゃん|Yuniti-chan}}, real name {{nihongo|Kohaku Ōtori|大鳥 こはく|Ōtori Kohaku}} (voiced by {{Interlanguage link|Asuka Kakumoto|ja|角元明日香|zh|角元明日香}}). The character's associated game data was released in early 2014.<ref>{{cite magazine |date=2013-12-16 |title='Unity'開発者向けに無償利用可能なキャラクター'ユニティちゃん'が来春デビュー！ |trans-title=The character 'Unity-chan' that can be used free of charge for 'Unity' developers will debut next spring! |url=http://www.famitsu.com/news/201312/16045043.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160630182124/http://www.famitsu.com/news/201312/16045043.html |archive-date=June 30, 2016 |access-date=June 22, 2016 |magazine=[[Famitsu]] |language=ja}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |date=December 16, 2013 |title=Meet Unity-chan, the Unity Engine's New Mascot in Japan |url=http://www.dualshockers.com/2013/12/16/meet-unity-chan-the-unity-engines-new-mascot-in-japan/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160827200855/http://www.dualshockers.com/2013/12/16/meet-unity-chan-the-unity-engines-new-mascot-in-japan/ |archive-date=August 27, 2016 |access-date=June 22, 2016}}</ref> The character was designed by Unity Technologies Japan designer "ntny" as an open-source heroine character.<ref>{{cite web |date=April 15, 2014 |title=Unity Japan Introduces Their Mascot, Unity-Chan, And How She Was Made |url=https://www.siliconera.com/unity-japan-introduces-mascot-unity-chan-made/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160815002837/http://www.siliconera.com/2014/04/15/unity-japan-introduces-mascot-unity-chan-made/ |archive-date=August 15, 2016 |access-date=June 22, 2016}}</ref> The company allows the use of Unity-chan and related characters in secondary projects under certain licenses.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://unity-chan.com/contents/guideline_en/ |title=Data Download-Guideline |work=Unity Chan! Official Website |date=December 10, 2014 |access-date=November 27, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151126022809/http://unity-chan.com/contents/guideline_en/ |archive-date=November 26, 2015 |url-status=live }}</ref> For example, Unity-chan appears as a playable character in ''[[Runbow]]''.<ref>{{cite web |last=Olney |first=Alex |date=August 10, 2015 |title=Exclusive: Check Out Runbow's Complete Cast of Colourful Crossover Characters |url=http://www.nintendolife.com/news/2015/08/exclusive_check_out_runbows_complete_cast_of_colourful_crossover_characters |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151013035536/http://www.nintendolife.com/news/2015/08/exclusive_check_out_runbows_complete_cast_of_colourful_crossover_characters |archive-date=October 13, 2015 |access-date=November 27, 2015 |work=[[Nintendo Life]]}}</ref>
== See also ==
{{Portal|Video games}}
* [[List of game engines]]
* [[List of WebGL frameworks]]
Line 120 ⟶ 153:
{{Video game engines}}
{{Wii U}}
{{Extended reality}}
[[Category:.NET game engines]]
Line 125 ⟶ 159:
[[Category:Game engines for Linux]]
[[Category:Game engines that support Vulkan (API)]]
[[Category:
[[Category:MacOS programming tools]]
[[Category:Mono project applications]]
[[Category:Video game engines]]
[[Category:Video game IDE]]
[[Category:Virtual reality companies]]
[[Category:Virtual reality works]]
| |||