The open-source game engine Godot gained significant attention when Unity, a commercial game engine, made a controversial decision that led developers, including the creators of Slay the Spire 2, to switch engines. Mega Crit, the developer behind Slay the Spire 2, decided to switch to Godot after Unity’s policy change regarding charging game developers per installation. This move was accompanied by a public letter criticizing Unity’s decision, further highlighting the impact of the controversy.
Despite initial skepticism about Godot’s capabilities compared to Unity, Mega Crit’s decision to use Godot for Slay the Spire 2 demonstrates the engine’s suitability for certain types of games. Other developers, such as those behind Survival FPS Road to Vostok, also made the switch to Godot, showcasing its viability as an alternative to Unity. Godot’s development is funded by donations and supported by major sponsors like Mega Crit and Terraria developer Re-Logic, offering an accessible and free option for game development with its MIT license.
The success of Slay the Spire 2 and other games utilizing Godot highlights the engine’s intuitive interface and sufficient power for developers with varying coding experience levels. The backlash against Unity’s policy change not only resulted in the reversal of the per-install fee but also led to the resignation of the company’s CEO. As more developers embrace Godot as a viable game engine alternative, its community-based and transparent funding model continues to attract attention and support from both creators and players in the gaming industry.