Unreal Engine Pricing Update for 5.4 and Beyond

[@TheGrrson]

Massive increase in respect for Epic and the Unreal folks for this. The artists making cinematic stuff and motion graphics are pushing the software in really exciting places. Thanks for the vid, Winbush!

[@JonathanWinbush]

I couldn't agree more and it only helps the engine overall for all mediums so its a win win for all

[@SectorZeroGP]

In addition they did it in the way they promised, just asking for a minimum part for thoose mega projects that can contribute (for freelancers or indie filmakers is still free as soon as you dont make 1m/year , and honestly paying 150€/month when you reach 1m is more than fair, since they did a great work and they would deserve some help too :3)

[@geroldwaefler9485]

Thank you Winbush very much for you inform us with this good news !! And yes now i love the Unreal Engine creators even more than before !!!

[@Eclectic_Chicken]

Great news! Thanks for the info Winbush !

[@JonathanWinbush]

For sure!

[@TheClearMediaContent]

This is great news indeed, I can see why you wanted to make this video right away! Sounds like a fair pricing model to me, glad to hear Epic is keeping it all reasonable and accesible to people who want to learn it.

[@JonathanWinbush]

Yes I had a feeling they would go this route since its been working out for gaming but glad they did the right thing

[@NyoraiFidesTV]

oooh what a nice news!! I'd say this is great and fair. Amazing news we were waiting for. I would be more than glad to pay the license if I am able to make that amount of money Everyone wins, everyone's happy.... see you in 5.4 😎

[@JonathanWinbush]

You and me both!😂

[@ReinaldoGonzalezreix2x]

This is interesting and even fair, but for me it could be a bump in my way, I work in a big engineering company that surely do mora than 1M a year, but my department is really small (just 3 of us) and I have been pushing the use of unreal engine really hard, it is already hard to our bosses (they don't get that much of tech) to understand why we need these licences and these super expensive computers, now I have to explain that they would have to expend almost 6k more a year for a licence. I guess I will start the "promotion" of this update as soon as possible

[@JonathanWinbush]

Well technically if you stick with 5.3 then its still free it doesn't go into effect until you decide to go with 5.4

[@ReinaldoGonzalezreix2x]

@@JonathanWinbush yeah we will stick to 5.3 for a while (we always take a while to adopt a new version), at least while we get the expense approved (tat can take months) 😅

[@Ryu_Hayabusa]

Got worried there for a moment. But then checked my checklist. Generating $1 million USD in annual gross ✅ Company ❎ Seriously though, I was expecting something like that. Good news. Thanks for sharing!

[@JonathanWinbush]

They listened to the community and delivered

[@TrevorWilliams-b3h]

EXCELLENT!!!!! Now I will dive in full steam ahead!

[@JonathanWinbush]

Excellent! It's well worth learning 🤙🏿

[@shermanwellons]

Thank you Epic for not being greedy corporate hoarders!! Thanks for the update..

[@ReinaldoGonzalezreix2x]

Thanks for the head up Win 👍 you r the best

[@demonhogo]

I’m so happy about this 👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼🖤

[@JonathanWinbush]

Same!

[@RmaNYouTube]

They couldn't be more fair than this. That's why I love epic games

[@JonathanWinbush]

I agree 100%

[@quietlyworking]

👏 You're a legend bro!🤟🖖 Appreciate you👊

[@JonathanWinbush]

Thanks buddy appreciate it 🤙🏾

[@chr1st0pher]

Epic is epic!!!

[@JonathanWinbush]

😁

[@ryanlindner8665]

Quick Question: I would like to get into 3d. But should I even learn C4d anymore in 2024. Should my focus be on Unreal? I will be creating motion graphics and I use AE. But It seems like Unreal is the future? Also I do not model at all so I would only be buying models.

[@GlGGl]

So you now even have Reality Capture for free, if you are under the revenue cap?

[@JonathanWinbush]

100% which is a big deal in itself

[@GlGGl]

@@JonathanWinbush Oh wow! Yes, that is really nice. Awesome! Thanks for your update!

[@thomaswindfeld728]

Thank God and JW😂

[@JonathanWinbush]

😂

[@johnb4467]

All of that sounds more-than-far. If you're making more than $1 Million in a calendar year, I think it's safe to assume that you should pay something to the people who provided you the software.

[@JonathanWinbush]

Absolutely and a million is a big threshold. Most companies that do the pricing model do it at 100k

[@effectatron]

Will learn UE5 now confirmed. until I make a cool mil lol ez clap. Thanks Winbush!

[@JonathanWinbush]

Yea my goal is to make it to where I have to pay for Unreal lol

[@effectatron]

Get dat paper!@@JonathanWinbush

[@patrikbaboumian]

This is why I'm a fan. EPIC is always fair to its creators and totally transparent. Thanks for updating us, Jonathan!

[@JonathanWinbush]

Absolutely!

[@SectorZeroGP]

100% bro, also they gave good reasons and the quantity and threshold are more than fair (like… man if i would get 1M for a shortfilm i would be more than glad to contribute with their amazing tool by paying 1800€/year 150€/month… is literally less than 0.2% of the threshold). Ofc, this is made like this for enterprises, however the point is they managed to do it in a really fair and good way, from my perspective (also, for an enterprise, 1800€/ year isnt a really huge amount so they can keep using it too and contribute with unreal a bit :3

[@jawbone1218]

Macon and Adobe should be taking notes

[@JonathanWinbush]

Im sure the Fortnite and Disney money helps epic in being able to do stuff like this though

[@JonathanWinbush]

@@misanthrope_01 Royalties and VC fundig. Epic just got a big fund from Disney and Sony

[@Tricky_3D]

Awesome news for the hobbyist.. Thanks for uploading this info Winbush

[@JonathanWinbush]

Any time!

[@lamarhillll]

Wouldn't expect anything less from Epic. The best company out there. Nobody can compete!

[@JonathanWinbush]

Yea I knew they would do the right thing

[@FrostbiteCinematics]

glad it isn't changing for game devs and remains free for hobbyists :) The pricing is very fair tbh, it's priced similarly to other packages like Maya but is basically free for non-corporate entities.

[@JonathanWinbush]

Yea I wish more companies could take on this type of pricing model

[@SectorZeroGP]

Indeed is basically free for everyone that isnt a huge enterprise. For instance if you are an indie/freelance filmaker is free for you too as i have understood (the moment you reach 1m/year is when you must get the license, but man 1800€/year (150€/month) is less than 0.2% of thoose 1.000.000€ 😇

[@micbab-vg2mu]

I use Unreal as a hobby - just for fun - great that the software stay free:)

[@Kromush1995]

How absolute chads Epic and Unreal continue to be!

[@ivain8704]

Unity - adds a pricing system that is as anti-Indie as possible. Unreal - Hold my beer and watch how you ENCOURAGE use of your platform.

[@JonathanWinbush]

haha I know right I dont know how Unity fumbled that so bad

[@dondichuidian7776]

That's great news! Thanks for the update!!!🥂🥂🥂🥂🥂🥂

[@JonathanWinbush]

You bet!

[@yahbin77]

EPIC makers are extremely sweet to do this. Is there scope to offer them something as a love offering like 100$ per year? We want these guys spit gold nuggets like these forever.

[@JonathanWinbush]

They just got an investment from Disney for 1.5 billion dollars so I think they are good for now but I'll say this you could definitely support in other ways like buying stuff on the marketplace that way you help creatives as well!

[@SectorZeroGP]

So if you are an indie and use unreal engine 5.4 or later as a render engine you dont need to pay unless you get 1M?? :o

[@JonathanWinbush]

Correct so if you as a person don't make 1 million a year then you're clear to go

[@SectorZeroGP]

@@JonathanWinbush :D

[@SectorZeroGP]

@@JonathanWinbushjust for bring sure, i mean basically for filmaking if you get less than 1m Am i right correct? :o Because i think is a really good new :3

[@woyame1]

Looks extraordinarily fair.

[@beMOTIONdESIGN]

Great information!!

[@droncacristian9209]

Win-Bush, thank you, and continue making homework.

[@JonathanWinbush]

Always!

[@DannyNetwirk]

woohoo! happy to hear that its free for individual users!

[@JonathanWinbush]

I kind of figured they would take this route for sure

[@ronhq]

Thank you Winbush!

[@theseatomictimes344]

well i still cant afford unreal engine 5 because i dont have high end PC 🤪

[@JonathanWinbush]

Have you tried working at lower setting?

[@c421t]

Adobe should take a page from Epics game book

[@JonathanWinbush]

I agree

[@foofofdeath]

Then it’s settled. Step aside Unity, Unreal is the new best engine! 😂

[@JonathanWinbush]

👊🏾👊🏾

[@3am_vdb]

So freelancers are safe? I don't make a million a year, not even close lol

[@JonathanWinbush]

You and me both

[@graeme6539]

Very interesting ! I'm an employee & I'm not sure if my employer would fall under or over that $1m / year figure. We could be right around there, perhaps. Not going to ask my boss, as it's none of my business really. But I've been advocating for a pricing structure of some sort for the film & tv business, as it will clear a lot of things up. If we become paying customers, then we can expect a certain level of service. More importantly, I'm hoping this also leads to clearing up the licencing aspects of marketplace content - when we use assets we purchase from marketplace, we need to know where we stand on licencing that content for film & tv business. If the licence is only described in game delivery terms, it's very hard to use it, legal have a lot of problems with the content, compared to say, Adobe Stock, where the licence terms for each peice of content is very clear. Anyway, no matter how it pans out, it's good to see Epic begin to clarify things

[@computron5824]

Not sure if you're going to get a better level of support, because if you read the Epic post they mention: "Epic Direct Support through the Unreal Developer Network (UDN) will not be included with an Unreal Subscription." In that same post they mention that direct support will cost $1,500.

[@JonathanWinbush]

Yea I know on the gaming side the support level was a whole different teir so I wonder if they would have something similar setup for non gaming

[@NebulaDreamscapes]

So how does this apply to us using the Virtual plugin on unreal to make found footage movies with it? I'm not making any income yet from it and use UE5.3 and 4.27 but want to be monetized on KZbin for my work. So does this mean if I'm also under $1 Million that I can continue to make these videos or do I too need a seat license? I'm assuming no, as long as I'm under the $1M every year which I would be. Thanks for the info! Love your videos!

[@JonathanWinbush]

Yup so if you as an individual makes less than 1 million then you're fine.

[@NebulaDreamscapes]

@@JonathanWinbush sweet! Thank you for the fast reply 😀

[@JonathanWinbush]

@@NebulaDreamscapes absolutely. Keep creating my friend 🤙🏿🤙🏿

[@yearight1205]

Awesome, so that means that the only people this effects are people who can easily afford it.

[@JonathanWinbush]

Absolutely

[@FPChris]

Perfectly fair. More than fair actually.

[@JonathanWinbush]

100%

[@PeterEngelmann401]

Thank you so much for the update, that's good to know to have not to pay as a hobbyist. They are very fair.

[@JonathanWinbush]

Indeed I think this makes a lot of people less stressed about if they should stick with unreal

[@PeterEngelmann401]

@@JonathanWinbush Yes, it's a big relief.

[@TudorIrimescu]

This is great, I was fearing what was going to come when the virtual production pricing changes were first announced. I was expecting it to put small studios like ours into a tough spot but this is really fairly priced and bracketed.

[@ramixsabeh]

Man, Epic games is the best thing that ever happened to this industry hands down..... Thanks for the update Winbush, really appreciate all your videos bro. Stay safe !

[@VENGFX]

OMG! Fantastic news!!! 🥰

[@JonathanWinbush]

Yup! 😁

[@vickyvey1657]

Epic is not in the Stock exchange. They are independent. That's how they can do business without being greedy.

[@JonathanWinbush]

Yup

[@wdavis81x]

That pricing change news just had to drop while I was on vacation. LoL. Thanks for covering this so i could get caught up. Happy to see Epic keeping us all happy! WoohooO!

[@JonathanWinbush]

Yea I was literally flying when I got the email from epic they was going to make the announcement so Im like aight I'll hurry up and make a video from my hotel room before they drop the news lol

[@andreitice1081]

I'm waiting for the Motion Design tool, really looking forward to using it.

[@JonathanWinbush]

Coming soon!

[@Isnero_A]

Actually saw a video on this topic and clicked on it. Then while it started I saw you posting the same topic. Immediately clicked on yours!

[@JonathanWinbush]

Thanks so much lol. I had this info direct from epic for a but I just had to wait until the unbargo lifted before I could announce it!

[@LoganPinney]

Spreading the news even while traveling!! Thanks for the update Winbush!

[@JonathanWinbush]

You bet!

[@CGCPMTV]

So for motion designer hobby wil be free ?

[@JonathanWinbush]

100% free my man 🤙🏿

[@CGCPMTV]

@@JonathanWinbush Thank you so much for your response because I've just discovered the power and speed of real-time rendering with Unreal Engine, and having access to this tool allows me to elevate my motion design skills to a professional level and conquer the job market or entrepreneurship. Being able to model in Cinema 4D and produce such impressive renders in record time is just incredible. Once I master my workflow, I believe I will seriously consider starting a company. Thank you for your effective tutorials and courses.

[@screenapple1660]

Working Triple A without Game Engine is dangerous. Royalty fees.

[@JonathanWinbush]

I'm not sure I understand

[@KuneMaster]

And how can you prove you are a hobbyist?

[@armondtanz]

I think if your making 1 mill a year your not going to risk winging it and hope you dont get caught. The default will be just to download it, you prob gotta sign up for the 1 mill plus seat.

[@JonathanWinbush]

Honor system in full effect

[@armondtanz]

@@JonathanWinbush I'd love to see how many million $$$ companies are now gonna say they make 900,000 to 999,999... gonna be some creative accountancy this year 🤣

[@IamSH1VA]

Beautiful…..

[@JonathanWinbush]

It absolutely is

[@MaxMRasmussen]

I Work in the marketing dept. of a company making about that. But a company that does not make video games nor content as main focus. Had considered adding UE to the toolbox, but that is not happening now. Too expensive for the role it will play, and Blender is a fine substitute for our workflow..

[@JonathanWinbush]

For sure I mean the cost is on par with other applications but I get it

[@PhillStilthy]

@JonathanWinbush, thanks for the breakdown. My bad if you've answered this or can't talk about it, but any chance your School of Motion class will be updated to include the new features in 5.4, ie. Avalanche? Would you recommend someone who wants to get into UE5 specifically for Avalanche's UI take your course?

[@JonathanWinbush]

So I've been in talks with som to do an avalanche specific course since it's like it's own thing almost but we'll see. At the leat I'll be of course covering all the new tools here on my channel as well

[@vince6625]

Great news! And props to Epic for keeping things basically the same for users in the sub-mil revenue category. Thanks, JW!

[@JonathanWinbush]

You bet!

[@thearthematix]

So, does this means that a lot of games on UE make > $1 mil ?)

[@JonathanWinbush]

I dont have access to those stats

[@thearthematix]

@@JonathanWinbush Yep) Still if EG made this decision, they are probably expecting some value from it) And it’s kinda impressive, and also interesting… maybe even to get your perspective on using UE for games)

[@unnecessaryaddition]

I wanna use unreal engine for my own 3D projects (not games making) how much should i pay as an exchange ?

[@JonathanWinbush]

Nothing you should be fine 🤙🏾

[@BCS_Official]

yessss bro... this relieves me a lot. thank youuu... wadup wadup, catch u in the next video

[@JonathanWinbush]

haha for sure 🤙🏿

[@Jobutsu]

Thanks for the info !

[@JonathanWinbush]

You bet!

[@polystormstudio]

Thanks for the update Winbush (hey man, I thought you were making way more than $1M!) 😉

[@JonathanWinbush]

I wish but hopefully one day soon

[@TadaMinburi]

Kap kun krup Mr. Winbush

[@dr.pixels]

thanks for this update, could you tell us about project avalanche? sorry if you have addressed this already

[@JonathanWinbush]

Yup its currently in 5.4 is the most I can say but it's coming really soon.

[@timbrosius]

What a reasonable pricing model! Seriously other companies should pay attention. If you let people learn your software for free they will use it to make your software company money later.

[@JonathanWinbush]

100% this is the way

[@nickibrownaj]

Thanks for the breakdown on pricing, Winbush. Super excited for this update!

[@JonathanWinbush]

You and me both!

[@gregorsidler3962]

Thank you sir for making this clear for us!!!!

[@JonathanWinbush]

Absolutely my friend

[@violentpixelation5486]

Thanks alot for the update, Winbush!

[@JonathanWinbush]

Absolutely I know a lot of people have been waiting on this news

[@linhmac0222]

thank you so much for the updates!!

[@JonathanWinbush]

Of course!!

[@lumatrace]

Great News! thanks!

[@JonathanWinbush]

Absolutely and thanks for the support!

[@Max01912]

Epic really is a great company, they could be so greedy and take advantage of their position. But thanks to them, everyone has access to their incredible technology and has the ability to express their imagination by creating high-quality content. Big respect

[@Max01912]

I guess we can say, they're game changer

[@JonathanWinbush]

Yes I wish we had this when I was a student we literally had to pirate all our software just to do our homework

[@Max01912]

@@JonathanWinbush Ahah yes, I can't imagine how many botnets I had on my computer

[@kickheavy8982]

Maaan thats what i'm talkin about! Very fair pricing. I started learning Unreal two months ago. As a mograph artist I must admit the learning curve is a bit steep. Finally getting used to it though. I REALLY want to try out avalanche. I was surprised Unreal doesn't have splines to choose from like C4D. We need spline options like helix and stuff in Unreal.

[@JonathanWinbush]

Yea I think once the motion tools get out in the wild they will get a good sense on what they still need to add but the tools coming are pretty solid I think you'll like them

[@eladbari]

What are the pro's & cons for using avalanche compared to Ae+a 3D software from your experience?

[@JonathanWinbush]

That will be for another video 😉

[@JosephWraith]

Good information, thanks!

[@JonathanWinbush]

Glad it was helpful!

[@24pfilms]

Very good news

[@JonathanWinbush]

Indeed

[@phoenix2gaming346]

Free for a individual?

[@JonathanWinbush]

Yup as long as you dont make one million dollars a year

[@JBFandom]

So just to be clear. If any hobbyist wants to get 5.4, they have to pay for it, in order to get the Unreal Engine 5.4 version?. But if we don't update to 5.4, we just stay with the free version on 5.3 only? if I'm hearing that correctly or not

[@chrisharris_arizona]

No. Free for hobbyists going forward past 5.3. Anyone whose company makes less than $1M.

[@JonathanWinbush]

If you make under 1 million dollars then you can still use 5.4 for free

[@JBFandom]

@@chrisharris_arizona Ohh, so for us free hobbyists we can use 5.4, once it comes to April right?. And I'm sorry if I'm asking too much of this. I'm still tryna figure this whole shenanigans out

[@JBFandom]

@@JonathanWinbush Ohh okay, Good. Thanks Jonathan. Really Appreciate. Will this is definitely a Big W for everyone. See you in 5.4 very soon ☺👍🏾 Can't wait to see what more you'll create next on Ue5 videos

[@JonathanWinbush]

I cant say when 5.4 drops but yea very soon