If you’re a new developer considering Unity for learning game development, you may have come across recent controversies surrounding Unity’s revenue model. This has raised concerns in the development community, especially for indie developers and newcomers. Let’s break down what the controversy was about, what Unity has done in response, and whether it’s still a viable option for beginners.

What Was the Unity Revenue Controversy?

In 2023, Unity introduced a new Runtime Fee model, proposing charges based on the number of game installs. This caused an uproar, as many developers saw it as unpredictable and potentially burdensome. Indie developers, in particular, were concerned that unexpected install counts could lead to higher costs, impacting their ability to earn from their games. Following widespread feedback, Unity announced adjustments to the fee model and assured developers that the changes would be more transparent and less burdensome.

Unity’s Response to the Backlash

After receiving feedback from developers across the globe, Unity revised its pricing model, aiming to create a clearer and fairer approach. They clarified that the new fee would primarily affect only high-revenue games, exempting most indie developers and newcomers. Additionally, Unity committed to better communication with the development community moving forward.

While the situation created some initial distrust, many developers felt reassured by Unity’s response and adjustments, and some studios chose to continue with Unity for its versatility and established user base.

Is Unity Still a Good Choice for New Developers?

Even with the controversy, Unity remains a popular and robust choice for beginners. Here’s why it’s still worth considering:

1. Industry-Standard Tool for Game Development
   Unity is widely used in the industry, from indie games to large AAA titles. Starting with Unity can provide beginners with industry-relevant skills, which are transferable to professional roles.
2. Powerful, Beginner-Friendly Interface
   Unity’s editor offers a user-friendly interface that is great for learning game development. With visual scripting, an extensive asset library, and a large community, it provides ample resources for beginners to get started without needing a deep technical background.
3. A Vast and Supportive Community
   Unity has one of the largest game development communities, which means there are thousands of tutorials, forums, and learning materials. For beginners, this community support is invaluable, helping you get answers to questions quickly and access guidance for everything from coding basics to complex game mechanics.
4. Adaptability Across Platforms
   With Unity, you can develop for a wide range of platforms, including iOS, Android, PC, and consoles. This flexibility allows you to experiment with different platforms as you learn, adding valuable experience and versatility to your skill set.
5. Free Access for Beginners
   Unity’s free tier is highly accessible to new developers. Most beginners and indie developers don’t reach the revenue threshold that would trigger any fees, making it an affordable choice for learning.

Unity Revises its Policy: A Positive Step for Developers

After receiving significant backlash from developers worldwide, Unity responded by revising its proposed fee policy. The initial plan would have charged developers based on install counts, potentially impacting smaller indie studios and new developers with unpredictable costs. The community expressed concern that this policy could harm independent creators, especially those who rely on Unity’s accessible pricing to get started.

In response, Unity rolled back many of the contentious aspects of the policy, addressing developer feedback directly. The new model exempts most indie developers and startups from additional charges, applying the fees only to games that meet high revenue thresholds. Additionally, Unity pledged to communicate policy changes more transparently and to work more closely with the development community when introducing future updates.

This rollback and Unity’s commitment to keeping game development accessible demonstrate the company’s dedication to supporting new and smaller developers. For beginners, these policy adjustments mean Unity remains a safe and cost-effective platform for learning game development without unexpected financial pressures.

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While the controversy highlighted the importance of clear and developer-friendly policies, Unity remains a powerful, accessible, and highly capable game engine for newcomers. Unity has responded to developer feedback and revised its model, suggesting they are listening to their user base. As a beginner, you can safely learn and grow with Unity without the risk of fees impacting your development journey early on. For those wanting to learn professional game development, Unity remains a practical and rewarding choice.

Ready to get started? Dive into Unity’s tutorials, explore its asset store, and get involved in the community—you’ll be building your first game in no time! Happy game developing!

Are you just starting with game development and wondering whether to learn Unity or Three.js? Choosing the right platform can be a game-changer (pun intended) for your learning experience and career growth. While both Unity and Three.js are popular choices, each has unique advantages. Here, we’ll look at why Unity is often the better option for new game developers.

What is Unity? What is Three.js?

Before diving in, let’s clarify what Unity and Three.js are:

• Unity is a powerful, all-in-one game development engine that supports 2D, 3D, VR, and AR development. It’s used to create professional-level games for a range of platforms, from mobile to console and PC. Unity uses C# as its primary programming language.
• Three.js is a JavaScript library used to render 3D graphics in web browsers. While it’s excellent for creating interactive 3D content on the web, it doesn’t offer the full suite of game development tools you’ll find in a dedicated game engine like Unity.

Both have their strengths, but if your goal is to learn game development, Unity may have more to offer. Here’s why!

Unity is Designed Specifically for Game Development

Unity was built for creating games, whereas Three.js focuses more on rendering 3D graphics on the web. Unity provides an extensive set of tools for game developers, including built-in physics engines, animations, asset management, sound integration, and more.

In short, Unity is a game engine, while Three.js is primarily a graphics library. This difference is crucial when you’re learning the basics of game development. Unity makes it easy to handle common game development tasks right out of the box, while Three.js would require more manual work to achieve similar results.

Cross-Platform Support: Unity Wins Big

One of Unity’s greatest advantages is its extensive cross-platform support. With Unity, you can create a game that can be exported to various platforms, including:

• PC
• Mac
• iOS
• Android
• WebGL
• PlayStation, Xbox, Nintendo Switch (for those wanting to release on consoles)

On the other hand, Three.js is limited to web applications. While this makes Three.js excellent for web-based 3D projects, it may not serve you well if you aim to release on multiple platforms.

Unity Has a Rich Asset Store for Game Dev Essentials

Unity’s Asset Store is a goldmine for beginners. It offers a vast collection of ready-to-use assets, such as 3D models, sound effects, animations, and even entire game templates. This can significantly speed up your learning and development process, allowing you to focus on coding, level design, and game mechanics.

While Three.js has libraries and some assets available online, they’re not as comprehensive or game-focused as what you’ll find in the Unity Asset Store. Unity’s asset ecosystem is much more robust and better suited for game development.

C# is More Widely Used in Game Development Than JavaScript

Learning a game engine like Unity introduces you to C#, a language that’s popular and widely used in the game industry. Many game development studios use C#, and it’s an in-demand skill for game developers.

Three.js, on the other hand, relies on JavaScript, which is more commonly used in web development. While learning JavaScript is valuable, C# will give you a stronger foundation in game development specifically.

Unity Offers a Professional Development Environment

Unity provides a full-featured Integrated Development Environment (IDE), including an interface for designing and managing your project, a game scene editor, and a built-in debugger. This development environment makes it easy to manage all the aspects of your game in one place.

In contrast, when working with Three.js, you would typically need to set up multiple tools and manually integrate them. Unity’s environment is easier to learn, especially for beginners who want to focus on building games without getting bogged down by technical setups.

Better Community Support and Tutorials

Unity has a huge user base and a well-established community. This makes it easy to find tutorials, forums, and support when you’re just getting started. Unity’s community is full of developers, students, and professionals who are constantly sharing tutorials, assets, and advice for new learners.

Three.js has its own community, but it’s not as game-focused or as extensive as Unity’s. If you want fast answers to game-specific questions, Unity is more likely to have the resources you need.

Unity Teaches You Industry-Standard Practices

By using Unity, you’ll learn industry-standard practices for game development. Unity is widely used by both indie developers and big game studios, meaning the skills you develop here are applicable in real-world scenarios.

Three.js, on the other hand, is mostly used in web development, so your experience with it may not transfer as easily if you’re looking to work in the gaming industry.

Unity’s Powerful Editor Simplifies Game Development

One of Unity’s biggest advantages for beginners is its robust Editor. Unity’s Editor provides a visual environment where you can design, build, and test your game, making it incredibly beginner-friendly. It allows you to drag and drop assets, configure game objects, set up physics properties, and preview changes in real time, all without writing code for every adjustment. The Editor is packed with features like a scene view, asset management, inspector panel, and play mode, which lets you instantly test gameplay.

In contrast, Three.js lacks a dedicated editor. With Three.js, you’ll need to handle most design and setup tasks in code or rely on separate tools for visual configuration. This can be time-consuming and requires a lot of setup, especially for beginners who may want to experiment visually without diving into code for each change. Unity’s integrated Editor environment makes it much easier to stay focused on the creative aspects of game development.

Unity Games Can Be Published on Platforms Like Steam

When you create a game with Unity, you have the ability to publish it on major gaming platforms like Steam, PlayStation, Xbox, and the App Store, where a large audience of dedicated gamers can discover, purchase, and enjoy your game. Unity allows you to develop standalone games that utilize the full processing power of your players’ devices, enabling more complex graphics, physics, and gameplay.

While Three.js games can be shared through web platforms like Itch.io or Kongregate, they’re limited by the performance constraints of web browsers, which means you’ll need to balance performance and visual quality carefully. Web games generally can’t access as many system resources as Unity-powered games, making it harder to develop resource-intensive experiences. By choosing Unity, you gain the freedom to create more immersive, high-performance games for the widest range of platforms and audiences.

Unity Games Run Directly on the Machine for Higher Quality and Performance

Unity games run as standalone applications directly on the player’s device, allowing them to fully utilize the CPU and GPU power of the machine. This direct access means you can create games with more detailed graphics, complex physics, and smoother performance since they’re not limited by a web browser’s resource constraints. With Unity, you can push the graphical and processing limits to create rich, immersive experiences that simply wouldn’t be achievable in a browser environment.

While Three.js is great for web-based games, it has to run within a browser, which restricts access to system resources and can limit the depth and quality of the graphics and gameplay. Unity’s standalone approach lets you build high-quality games that can truly showcase your skills, making it an ideal choice for ambitious game developers aiming for powerful and visually impressive games.

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If your main goal is to learn game development, Unity is likely the better choice. It’s a comprehensive game engine with tools, resources, and a supportive community that can help you get started and grow in your skills. From a broad range of platforms to the powerful Unity Asset Store, Unity provides you with everything you need to learn and create games.

Three.js is a fantastic library for web-based 3D graphics, but it’s limited in scope for those who want to build and release full-featured games across multiple platforms. Unity offers a smoother, more straightforward path into the world of game development and gives you skills that are directly transferable to professional game studios.

So, ready to start building games? Head over to Unity, download the engine, and dive into your first project! Good luck, and happy game-making!

Game Development is an incredibly rewarding journey. Creating a world from scratch, bringing characters to life, making them move, speak, and interact with the environment you build—it’s an experience that can make you feel like a “Game God” in every sense.

In this article, we’ll talk about how you can start your game development journey on your own. I’ve been a self-learner throughout my life, and I’ve found success working in the tech space, so I know what it takes to start making money online with something you love. Here are some key points to keep in mind to ensure that your game dev journey is both enjoyable and potentially profitable.

Choose a Game Engine You’re Comfortable With

Many people will argue that the engine doesn’t matter—that it’s more about understanding the basics. While that’s true, having an accessible starting point can help you jump into the process. Why not choose an engine that’s relatively easy to use? Unity, for instance, is user-friendly, versatile for both 2D and 3D games, and supports mobile, web, and desktop platforms. That’s why I started with Unity in my early days.

Pick an engine that allows you to focus on game-building so you can learn the essential steps involved in creating games. Avoid diving into a complex engine like Unreal at the start, as its advanced features can be overwhelming for beginners.

Focus Primarily on the Programming Side

Game development is a broad field involving game design, asset creation, animations, and more. As a Game Programmer, it’s crucial to concentrate on and improve your coding skills. Learn how Unity scenes are structured, and practice your C# programming. C# in Unity operates by responding to gaming events, which makes it an excellent programming language for beginners.

Spend time exploring Unity’s APIs, understanding how to structure your scripts, and refining your gameplay logic. Don’t feel pressured to learn everything about game development right away—focus on programming, and other skills can come later as needed.

Build Your Online Presence

Your online presence is your digital footprint, and it’s often the first impression companies get of you. Create a blog or YouTube channel to document your game dev journey. Share your projects, no matter how simple they are. The goal is to show the world that you’re continuously learning and improving. Remember, consistency is more important than perfection. Show that you’re committed to this journey, and quality will follow.

Contribute to Online Game Dev Communities

Once you’re invested in game development, it’s time to start contributing to the community. Don’t wait for years—begin now by making posts on platforms like Medium or Reddit. Share your thoughts on game dev issues, write tutorials, and join discussions on LinkedIn and other social networks.

Active participation will allow you to connect with others, get feedback, and learn from those who’ve been in the field longer.

The Power of LinkedIn and Professional Connections

LinkedIn is an invaluable tool for growing your career. Create a professional profile, join Game Dev groups, participate in discussions, and make connections not just with fellow developers but also with recruiters, hiring managers, and industry professionals.

Get involved by posting your work and engaging in conversations. Building genuine connections here can open doors to job opportunities, mentorship, and collaborations.

Start Freelancing

Freelancing on sites like Upwork and Fiverr can help you gain real-world experience while building a portfolio. Create a profile showcasing your projects, and start bidding on small gigs. Securing just a few projects a month, even if they’re small, will keep you active in the game development market. It’ll help you gain confidence, improve your skills, and grow a portfolio with reviews that could make you stand out for future full-time roles.

Publish Games on Platforms Like Steam and Itch.io

If freelancing gigs aren’t coming through, consider making small games and posting them on Steam or Itch.io for extra cash or free feedback. Publishing your games provides valuable feedback from actual players and helps you refine your game development skills.

Source Game Assets Efficiently

Creating assets from scratch can be time-consuming, so focus on programming and use available resources for other aspects. Many platforms, including Unity’s Asset Store and Itch.io, offer free or affordable game assets like characters, environments, music, and UI elements. These assets can help you put together a polished game faster.

Be Genuine About Your Experience

Be honest about your level of experience, even if you’re just starting. Quality always speaks louder than quantity. A single well-made project can impress companies more than multiple unfinished ones. Genuine experience and dedication are qualities companies look for, so focus on creating something of value.

Use GitHub for Your Projects

GitHub isn’t just for storing your code—it also showcases your coding style and version control skills. It’s a valuable addition to your portfolio, and potential employers or collaborators can check your work on GitHub to get a sense of your capabilities.

Skills Are Essential, but Integrity Goes a Long Way

While technical skills are essential in game development, integrity is what truly sets a developer apart. Being trustworthy, taking responsibility for mistakes, and maintaining a positive attitude fosters stronger collaboration and builds respect within teams.

When presenting your work experience, be honest and transparent. Avoid exaggerating or overstating your skills and accomplishments; focus on the genuine contributions you’ve made and the projects you’ve completed. Authenticity goes a long way, as employers value sincerity and are more interested in seeing what you can genuinely offer. A single, well-executed project often speaks louder than a long list of inflated experiences.

Professionalism and a commitment to personal growth make you memorable to employers, colleagues, and industry contacts, leading to long-lasting relationships and future opportunities. In a competitive field like game development, integrity not only helps in career advancement but also establishes you as a reliable and respected developer, proving that character is just as important as technical expertise.

Good luck, and happy game developing!