Given that a game engine is the basis--the foundation--of a video game, it's something that both developers and players should find reliable and trustworthy; which is why many are concerned over Unity Software's new merger, with a company that has a track record of bundling malware and adware into their software installations. IronSource has been acquired by Unity for $4.4 billion, which further adds to the company's repertoire, after having bought visual effects studio Weta Digital late last year for $1.6 billion.

IronSource specializes in app monetization, usually advertisements, but they're also known throughout the tech world for having bundled sketchy downloads within their software. They were responsible for creating InstallCore, an open source SDK that served as a "cross-platform installer creation tool and ad-delivery platform" that packaged additional installers for software like RegClean Pro, DriverSupport and other toolbars, to the point that it was classified by a potentially unwanted application by antivirus software like Windows Defender and MalwareBytes, and was even referred to as full-on malware or a trojan. InstallCore was discontinued following the classification and controversy.

That isn't the only controversy that IronSource is behind, either; in 2015, Ben Edelman, an economist for web experiences, documented the insidious nature of InstallCore's programs, detailing another one of their releases, a fake Windows Snapchat client that installed five different adware programs and Android emulator Bluestacks. Unity's reasoning for the acquisition is to assist game developers with monetization, marketing, analytics, and discovery.

Our vision is to provide creators with a powerful, flexible engine that they can realize their visions through - quickly and beautifully - while introducing the tools that help them learn and better understand their audiences, helping them to more quickly iterate and improve to build a robust and scalable business from. As we move closer to this vision today, we couldn’t be more excited about bringing ironSource into the Unity family.

Source

 

[The_Fire_Shark]

As someone with a cyber security degree and trying to learn game development, this is really concerning for me. I may switch to Unreal or Godot.

 

[CompSciOrBust]

People in the comments acting like Unity is going to start bundling malware with any game built in their engine. Sure they could do that, but why would they spend $1.6 billion to do that? It's not like they'd want to tarnish the Unity brand either by trying to make a quick buck with malware. They aren't the dominant engine but their market share is nothing to scoff at either, they wouldn't just throw all that away. The acquisition is most likely to obtain technology that will benefit their Unity Ads division, which is something that has existed for years and is mostly used in mobile games.
https://unity.com/solutions/unity-ads

Advertising is a very lucrative industry. In 2021 alone mobile game ads generated more than $100 billion. It is also a very complex industry however, Google and Facebook hire thousands of data scientists to fine tune their algorithms and a lot of those data scientists are earning well over $1 million a year. It is unsurprising that Unity would choose to acquire a big adware company rather than try to use homegrown tech which takes time to develop.

 

[Deleted member 546149]

Unity was already malware before this

 

[Coto]

This isn't a problem for corporations, but for indie development groups. The reason is because your product can be framed due to malpractices or licensing issues.

 

[Plazorn]

couldn't you theoretically keep using old versions and refuse to update?

 

[codezer0]

I thought Unity was already a byword for malware masquerading as a game?

 

[Guacaholey]

Nothing of value was lost. Just go to Unreal or any of the other console compatible engines.

Unity is a decent engine, but it definitely attracts a ton users who have no business developing games, and seems like there's a lot of performance issues in Unity made games on consoles, though that could be because of the unskilled users.

 

[Dr_Faustus]

Now it all makes sense, Unity knows that microtransactions turn games into malware. So they bought a team who already just cuts to the point.

Could be worse, they could have merged with a blockchain company so they can incorporate NFT's in games for creators.

Actually, forget I said anything. I do not want to make that a reality.

 

[Xzi]

Well that fucking sucks, last thing we need is Epic leveraging a boost in Unreal usage to control more of the gaming market. I assume the last good version of Unity will be preserved and used heavily going forward as well.

 

[Dimensional]

Well that fucking sucks, last thing we need is Epic leveraging a boost in Unreal usage to control more of the gaming market. I assume the last good version of Unity will be preserved and used heavily going forward as well.

Unless they backport whatever this is to older version.

 

[Dimensional]

People in the comments acting like Unity is going to start bundling malware with any game built in their engine. Sure they could do that, but why would they spend $1.6 billion to do that? It's not like they'd want to tarnish the Unity brand either by trying to make a quick buck with malware. They aren't the dominant engine but their market share is nothing to scoff at either, they wouldn't just throw all that away. The acquisition is most likely to obtain technology that will benefit their Unity Ads division, which is something that has existed for years and is mostly used in mobile games.
https://unity.com/solutions/unity-ads

Advertising is a very lucrative industry. In 2021 alone mobile game ads generated more than $100 billion. It is also a very complex industry however, Google and Facebook hire thousands of data scientists to fine tune their algorithms and a lot of those data scientists are earning well over $1 million a year. It is unsurprising that Unity would choose to acquire a big adware company rather than try to use homegrown tech which takes time to develop.

Why would companies put malware in their engines? I don't know. Why don't we ask Sony and their multiple Rootkits? They may have an answer, or it will be as mysterious as the Meaning of Life, The Universe, and Everything.

 

[raaamesh]

nasty. i hope i dont end up with another bitcoin miner on my system, that was sneaky as hell and a bitch to remove without a wipe

 

[Deleted member 546149]

couldn't you theoretically keep using old versions and refuse to update?

Imagine if they force updated like Windows

 

[CompSciOrBust]

Why would companies put malware in their engines? I don't know. Why don't we ask Sony and their multiple Rootkits? They may have an answer, or it will be as mysterious as the Meaning of Life, The Universe, and Everything.

Sony used rootkits for DRM purposes. Unity's engine is free for anyone to use and they don't give a shit if someone pirates your game.

 

[Jayro]

Welp, be on the lookout for the "last good version" of unity until people can reliably repack the releases without the crapware attached.

 

[Anxiety_timmy]

Mobile gamers are losing their shit right now. Oh wait half of them don't even know about this.

 

[raxadian]

Bullshit; they could have bought a different company, I won't trust any versions of Unity made after this merger.

Honesty why buy the modern equivalent of this?

 

[osaka35]

Curious choice, but I believe they've made some odd acquisitions in the past as well. While this does justify heightened suspicion, I'll take a "wait and see" approach. Could just as easily turn out to be a quality move...somehow.

 

[DoctorBagPhD]

Was good while it lasted, I guess. Bag's law strikes again.

 

[AkikoKumagara]

This is a shame. RIP Unity.