Unity update their terms to clarify new terms aren't forced on game devs

Now that the dust seems to be settling after the absolute chaos that was the new Runtime Fee announcement and the developer fallout that followed, Unity has now properly updated their Unity Editor Software Terms.

It's mostly going and putting back in the protections they previously removed that I reported on, that allows developers to stick with a Unity Editor version they want with the terms they accepted at the time. Instead of Unity just forcing new terms on developers who aren't jumping into a newer Unity version.

In the announcement shared on the Unity blog on November 6 they said the restored Software Terms GitHub and their website page have now been updated, to clearly state developers once again have this protection in place. Now it states that:

Provided that you comply with Tier Eligibility, if Unity updates the Software Terms (the “Updated Terms'') impacting your rights, you may elect to continue to use your current version of the Unity Software subject to the prior accepted Software Terms and Terms of Service (the “Prior Terms'') unless such Updated Terms are required by law. If you elect to update to a later named version of the Unity Software, the most current version of the Updated Terms shall apply and be deemed accepted (for clarity, the Runtime Fee does not apply to Prior Released Versions; see Section 2.2). For the avoidance of doubt, it shall not be considered an update to a later named version if you update to another version released within that named version (e.g. 2022.1 to 2022.2). You understand that it is your responsibility to maintain complete records establishing your entitlement to Prior Terms.

Good to see they've properly clarified it now, but they removed it once before so it's likely more eyes will be watching this time to make sure they stick to that promise.