Warning: Speech Graphics bought FaceFX, is killing my $1k perpetual indie license, and wants $35,000/year instead.
Hey,
I’m sharing this frustrating situation I’m dealing with, both as a warning to other developers using tools acquired by Speech Graphics, and to see if anyone else is caught in this mess.
I’ve been in game dev (AAA and indie) for 25+ years. Five years ago, I purchased a perpetual license for FaceFX Studio Professional for around $1,000 US. For a solo indie developer, it's a significant investment, but it’s incredibly valuable for handling large-scale lipsync.
Recently, OC3 (the original makers of FaceFX) was acquired by Speech Graphics. Out of nowhere, I was notified that my software license is being terminated with no explanation. When I reached out to support asking for a way to keep using the software I paid for, or for a refund since they are bricking my product, this was their condescending response:
>[Support Rep]: If you wish to continue using FaceFX an upgrade to an Unlimited license would be required. [...] I've listed our packages and pricing below for FaceFX Unlimited and FaceFX Runtime: FaceFX Unlimited: $35,000/year (Per title, per year). FaceFX Runtime: $25,000 per platform (one-time). I understand that as a solo developer these costs may not fit within your budget. Your FaceFX Professional license expires on 30th November 2026; the software will stop working then. Hopefully this provides you with adequate time to source an alternate solution.
When I pushed back and asked for a refund or at least a way to continue using the software, they hit me with the sneaky EULA rat defense:
>[Support Rep]: Respectfully, the license conditions have not been breached. When you purchased FaceFX Professional you agreed to the EULA which states that the agreement may be terminated by providing notice. I've pasted the relevant section below. "TERM: This OC3 Agreement is effective until terminated... OC3 may terminate this OC3 Agreement upon notice to you."
So with "OC3 may terminate this OC3 Agreement upon notice to you." they simply make what you paid for void. Nice.
Has anyone else been caught up in this FaceFX acquisition? As a struggling solo indie game dev, this is going to be an issue. My entire pipeline was set and working beautifully so this will impact my game.
Maybe "Stop Killing Games" should become "Stop Killing Software" at this point.
Edit: For some reason my quotes were empty. Sorry about that.