Unity Technologies, provider of the Unity multi-platform engine and development tools that have led to a rise in independent studios, has announced today that it will be furthering its influence on independent developers by making its tools free. Starting today, members of Unity's gigantic indie developer community can publish their games and apps to iOS and Android from the build menu, and will soon be able to publish to BlackBerry and Windows Phone 8 at no additional cost.
Previously, Unity’s tools had cost around $800. By making them free, Unity has opened itself to plenty of new studios and developers and will also give them some more fiscal and creative freedom. Even though it is a free version of Unity’s tools, developers can still commercialize their games without buying licenses or sharing revenues with Unity.
"We were able to make Unity free for the Web and for desktop computers a while ago, but have been dreaming of doing the same for mobile for what seems like forever," said David Helgason, CEO of Unity Technologies. "Mobile games development is possibly the most dynamic and exciting industry in the world, and it's an honor to be able to help so many developers be so successful in fulfilling their visions and in building their businesses."
Since Angry Birds first hit the market, mobile apps have become a sort of gold rush. Everyone wants a shot at making something great, and with Unity’s tools that opportunity is available for plenty of developers. Unity allows for some great graphics on a mobile device, as well as an intuitive editor.
Unity can be considered one of the most popular platforms for development based on the fact that in 2012, Game Developer Magazine conducted a survey that found 53 percent of mobile developers were using Unity. Apple also gave 17 Unity-authored mobile titles "Best of" awards. This included The Room, which was also awarded as the Game of the Year on iPad.
Edited by
Alisen Downey