Unity Technologies announced on Tuesday that it will provide the multi-platform Unity Engine to indie and small studio mobile platform developers for free.
The basic engine tools previously cost around $800 and according to Unity, it wanted to push the democratization of game development further. Though the company's engine has been free for web and desktop computers for free for quite some time, Unity CEO David Helgason says that he dreamed of doing the same for mobile "for what seems like forever."
"Mobile game development is possibly the most dynamic and exciting industry in the world, and it's an honor to be able to help so many developers be so successful in fulfilling their visions and in building their business," says Helgason.
Publishing options will include iOS, Android, Blackberry and Windows Phone 8. On mobile platforms, the Unity Engine has powered popular titles like Bad Piggies, Total War Battles: Shogon and Dead Trigger. According to the press release, Game Developer Magazine conducted a survey that found 53 percent of mobile developers were using the engine and Apple gave 17 Unity powered mobile titles its "Best" of awards including making iPad title The Room its Game of the Year last year.
The community for the multi-platform Unity Engine boast over 1.8 million developers and stretches to large publishers as well as indie development. Currently, the engine supports mobile, web, and home consoles including the Wii U.
This comes as the San Francisco-based developer prepares for its annual Unite developer conference at the end of August. Unite 2013 will consist three days of training and classes dedicated to the engine. Developers new to the engine can utilize a Unity Training Day that will take place the day before Unite 2013.
Coinciding with the Unite 2013 will be its Unity Awards ceremony that's open for nominations until June 30. Unity says that the awards are held "in order to recognize the most impressive games and other projects" that use the engine.
Those interested in developing with the engine can click here.