The Unity Asset Store is ditching publishers based in China and Hong Kong
The Unity Asset Store is removing publishers based in China, Hong Kong, and Macau, requiring developers to publish assets directly or through other regions. The move affects creators in those areas, who must transition from existing publisher arrangements.
Background
- The Unity Asset Store is an online marketplace where developers buy and sell pre-built assets (3D models, scripts, sound effects, etc.) for games made with the Unity engine, one of the world's most popular game development platforms.
- Unity is removing "publisher accounts" registered in China, Hong Kong, and Macau, effectively barring those developers from selling assets through the storefront.
- This is part of a broader restructuring of how the Asset Store operates, likely driven by Unity's ongoing financial struggles and layoffs, as well as geopolitical tensions and compliance concerns around data and trade regulations.
- The move has sparked controversy because many high-quality, affordable assets come from Chinese and Hong Kong-based creators; critics argue it hurts both those developers' livelihoods and the global Unity community that relies on their work.