Do game developers unknowingly work for the Army? (Photo: Suwatchai Pluemruetai / Shutterstock)
The Unity game engine allows developers to create their own world in 3D or 2D. Even VR and AR applications are now possible. With its development platform, Unity didn’t just draw the attention of game developers. Their own versatility is presented on their own website. Film, engineering, architecture, auto, transportation – they all use Unity to make their products better. In addition to the industries mentioned, a technology that is used by the US government and the military is also listed.
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Internal Unity documents that Waypoint now reveal that the company is struggling to explain why its own employees, who allegedly have signed up to develop gaming tools, are directly involved in v on military technology. Waypoint relies on three different sources, which are said to be both current and former Unity employees. These indicate that some Unity employees unwittingly work for military customers.
No clear statement from Unity
Most Unity employees do not have immediate access to all details a project they are working on for the company. While this information can be requested in some cases, it is seldom successful. According to the Waypoint sources, not all Unity employees had a detailed understanding of what Unity was doing for the military, just whether projects they were involved in were being used for military purposes. “It should be clearly communicated when people enter the military part of Unity,” one of the sources questioned, who want to remain anonymous, is quoted as saying. The internal documents also leaked that the word “military” was avoided and that the orders mostly only spoke of “government”.
Waypoint confronted Unity with the allegations and received an extensive response. However, it was only confirmed that Unity was working on creating applications outside of gaming. However, the use of their own technology by the US military is not a new and unknown development. For this, the company referred to previous contracts with the US Air Force, the US Army and defense companies such as Lockheed Martin and Boeing. Specific details could not be given. Before signing the contracts, however, it was thoroughly checked whether they were compatible with the company’s own values and principles. Whether Unity employees were ever knowingly or unknowingly involved in the manufacture of war weapons or how much the company earns from its military contracts, Unity left uncommented.
