This is why I tend to shy away from proprietary tools like Unity-an event like this is sort of like an asteroid strike, it's improbable but there's no defense against it and if it happens you are wiped out.
Unity Engine ToS change makes cloud-based SpatialOS games illegal
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Re: Unity Engine ToS change makes cloud-based SpatialOS games illegal
#12I’m pretty aghast at this move by Unity. They have made it clear they have a managed cloud hosting infrastructure in the works, but explicitly blocking others from providing it as a service strikes me as a “we really need this revenue and will do anything to protect it” move. PlayFab is unmentioned but they will also be affected by this move as they offer a dedicated server hosting service among their offerings. Even…
Also, blocking Improbable sucks even more because their MMO architecture is unique to anything else out there. There is no way Unity will be offering anything except dedicated servers with their service, leaving anyone who wants to use Improbable tech to have to switch to Unreal.
Re: Unity Engine ToS change makes cloud-based SpatialOS games illegal
#13I’m surprised the developers can’t simply reject the changes to the Unity TOS and keep using an old version of the engine (especially for production games!) Anyone know why that’s not an option?
Because Unity's TOS, like many software agreements, stretch retroactively and proactively across versions.
If you use Unity, you agree to Unity Technologies terms, and their discretion to change them, without notice. It's literally in the terms. It's not so much software as it is software as a service.
Re: Unity Engine ToS change makes cloud-based SpatialOS games illegal
#14I’m surprised the developers can’t simply reject the changes to the Unity TOS and keep using an old version of the engine (especially for production games!) Anyone know why that’s not an option?
I don’t think Unity is under any obligation to tie their ToS to specific engine versions. Additionally, losing the ability to receive bug fixes, enhancements, and new platform support by sticking to an older engine is a bit of a non-starter for a lot of devs.
Re: Unity Engine ToS change makes cloud-based SpatialOS games illegal
#15This is why I write my own damn engines.
Re: Unity Engine ToS change makes cloud-based SpatialOS games illegal
#16This is directly relevant to that Cory Doctorow article from yesterday.
In real world inventions someone could make a compatible piece and users could just buy it and plug it in. Say you have a clever new attachment for a vacuum cleaner.
In cyberspace you can make things incompatible by law, and it's very effective to police.
So what should you be allowed to do this with?
Re: Unity Engine ToS change makes cloud-based SpatialOS games illegal
#17This is why I write my own damn engines.
Or just use Godot[1] or any of the many FOSS game engines out there.
Re: Unity Engine ToS change makes cloud-based SpatialOS games illegal
#18In September and January of last year Unity raised a considerable amount of cash [0].
It seems like VCs want their growth number up and Unity has a very clear plan to run their engine in the cloud to create artificial growth by being the sole vendor of Unity Multiplayer Hosting.
This is the shadiest move I’ve seen in the Industry, even worst than MongoDB.
[0]https://www.crunchbase.com/organization/unity-technologies
Re: Unity Engine ToS change makes cloud-based SpatialOS games illegal
#19I’m pretty aghast at this move by Unity. They have made it clear they have a managed cloud hosting infrastructure in the works, but explicitly blocking others from providing it as a service strikes me as a “we really need this revenue and will do anything to protect it” move. PlayFab is unmentioned but they will also be affected by this move as they offer a dedicated server hosting service among their offerings. Even…
It basically signals to me they don't give a fuck about you; it's Unity-first, and you can deal with it. Take it or leave it. After being burnt by the Source Engine, I'll never use Unity again after having read this.
What happened with Source?
Re: Unity Engine ToS change makes cloud-based SpatialOS games illegal
#20This is why I write my own damn engines.
I think using Open Sourced Engines is the proper response to this. Why reinvent the wheel unless you have your own use case.