Epic Games shifts to per-seat pricing model for Unreal Engine in non-gaming industries

Epic Games has announced a change to the pricing structure for its creation tool, Unreal Engine. CEO Tim Sweeney revealed during the Unreal Fest event that the change will transition users in industries such as film, TV, and medical to a per-seat pricing model.

Users like game developers, educators, and students will not be affected by this change. They will continue to use Unreal Engine under the existing royalty model or free access respectively. However, indie filmmakers and similar users will be subjected to a minimum revenue threshold, although the specific amount of which has not been disclosed yet.

The pricing alteration follows a difficult period for Epic Games, during which it recently laid off approximately 16% of its workforce and sold Bandcamp to Songtradr as part of cost-cutting efforts. This move parallels Unity's controversial attempt to change its pricing model, which encountered significant resistance from developers and ultimately resulted in a revised pricing structure.