Tebex and Commercial Monetization
57 Studios™ operates a commercial Unturned™ mod storefront through the Tebex platform. This article is the studio's authoritative practical reference for how that commercial operation works — from storefront configuration through tax compliance, pricing strategy, payout mechanics, and the server-side licensing model that makes paid Unturned mods commercially viable without violating the Steam Workshop's free-distribution requirement.
This article is written for 57 Studios team members and for community members who want to understand how commercial Unturned modding works in practice. It presents 57 Studios' own approach transparently, because the community benefits from having a clear, honest reference on commercial modding mechanics rather than fragmented forum posts and incomplete tutorials.
Before reading this article, review Smartly Dressed Games Modding Policy for the SDG policy framework that governs what can be sold. This article addresses how to sell it; the previous article addresses what is permitted to be sold.
The commercial modding landscape for Unturned
Commercial modding for Unturned operates in a specific structural context that shapes every decision 57 Studios makes about its storefront. Understanding that context is prerequisite to understanding why the Tebex model is structured the way it is.
The Steam Workshop is the primary content distribution channel for Unturned mods. Workshop mods are downloaded automatically to game servers and clients when the server is configured to load the Workshop content. Valve's Workshop policies prohibit charging players for access to Workshop-distributed content through the Workshop mechanism itself. This is not an SDG-specific restriction — it applies to all Steam Workshop content across all games and has been Valve's stated policy since the short-lived paid-mods experiment of 2015.
The Tebex model sidesteps this restriction through a structural separation: the mod files remain available through the Workshop (free to download), while the gameplay entitlement — the permission to use the mod's content on a given server — is delivered through a server-side licensing check. A player who purchases from the 57 Studios storefront receives their entitlement in the form of a server command that grants a permission node. The server validates that permission node when the player connects. The server unlocks or applies the commercial content for that player.
This architecture separates content delivery (Workshop, free) from entitlement delivery (Tebex, paid), satisfying both Valve's Workshop terms and SDG's policy framework while enabling a sustainable commercial modding economy.
Structural note
The Tebex platform is specifically designed for game server monetization. Its integration points — in-game command execution on purchase, player entitlement management, server-side permission delivery, subscription management — are built for exactly this use case. This is why Tebex became the standard commercial platform for Unturned modders rather than a general-purpose e-commerce platform like Shopify or WooCommerce.
The Workshop-free / Tebex-paid architecture
The dual-channel architecture is fundamental enough to commercial Unturned modding that it warrants its own section before the storefront setup details.
The key insight: a player without a purchase has the mod files but not the server-side permission. The files are there (downloaded through Workshop), but the server does not activate the commercial features without the permission node. The purchase through Tebex is what delivers the permission node, not what delivers the files.
This model resolves the "paid Workshop mods" prohibition: the Workshop is not selling the files. Tebex is not selling the files. Tebex is selling server-side access, which is a different product from the Workshop files themselves.
Tebex storefront setup: step-by-step
Setting up a Tebex storefront for Unturned mod sales involves the following major phases. Each phase must be completed before the next can proceed effectively.
Phase 1: Account creation
A Tebex account is created through the Tebex platform's web interface. The registration requires an email address, a business or display name, and a password. The account covers the storefront management dashboard, payout configuration, analytics, customer management, and the server integration settings.
After account creation, a store is created within the account. The store has a default Tebex subdomain assigned automatically. Custom domain configuration requires additional DNS setup — pointing the custom domain to Tebex's CNAME record and verifying domain ownership through the dashboard. 57 Studios uses a custom domain for its storefront to maintain brand consistency with the studio's other web properties.
Phase 2: Identity verification
Tebex requires identity verification before payouts are enabled. This is a regulatory requirement imposed by Tebex's payment processor partners for anti-fraud and anti-money-laundering compliance. Verification requirements differ by account type.
| Account type | Required documentation |
|---|---|
| Individual (personal) | Government-issued photo ID, proof of address (utility bill or bank statement, recent) |
| Business entity | Business registration documentation, government-issued photo ID for the account holder, proof of business address |
57 Studios operates as a business entity and completed the business verification process during storefront setup. Identity verification is mandatory and is not optional; stores that have not completed verification will have payouts withheld until verification is complete.
Phase 3: Payout method configuration
Tebex disburses revenue through bank transfer or PayPal depending on the operator's country and payout preference. The payout method is configured in the Tebex dashboard under the financial settings section. Both payout methods have configuration requirements:
- Bank transfer: account holder name, bank name, IBAN or routing/account numbers depending on jurisdiction, SWIFT/BIC for international transfers.
- PayPal: the PayPal account email address linked to the receiving account.
57 Studios uses direct bank transfer for its payouts, which provides a clear audit trail for accounting purposes.
Server plugin is the delivery mechanism
Without the server plugin running and connected to Tebex, purchases are recorded but no in-game delivery occurs. The plugin is the bridge between the payment event and the in-game entitlement. It must be monitored and kept running.
Phase 4: Server plugin installation and configuration
The Tebex platform delivers purchased entitlements by executing commands on the game server. This requires the Tebex plugin to be installed on the Unturned server and configured with the store's secret key.
The server integration is the technical bridge between the purchase event (recorded in Tebex when a player completes checkout) and the in-game delivery (the server executing the command that grants the player their entitlement). The installation steps are:
- Download the Tebex plugin for Unturned from the Tebex documentation.
- Install the plugin in the Unturned server's plugins directory.
- Start the server with the plugin installed; the plugin will generate its configuration file.
- Open the plugin configuration file and insert the store's secret key from the Tebex dashboard.
- Restart the server. The plugin will connect to Tebex's API and begin polling for pending commands.
- Confirm the connection status in the Tebex dashboard — the server should appear as "connected."
Test before publishing
The most common commercial modding failure is publishing products without testing the end-to-end delivery flow. A player who purchases a product and receives nothing — because the server command is misconfigured, the plugin is not running, or the command syntax is wrong — will request a refund and may leave a negative community review. Test every product delivery path on a staging server before any commercial product goes live.
Phase 5: Store configuration
The store configuration in the Tebex dashboard covers:
- Store name and description (displayed on the storefront page).
- Store currency (determines the currency shown to customers; 57 Studios uses USD).
- Store logo and banner (visual branding elements).
- Terms of service and privacy policy (linked documents, required for legal compliance).
- Checkout configuration (whether to require account creation, enable guest checkout, etc.).
Phase 6: Product categories
Product categories organize the storefront for customers and improve navigation. They also serve as the primary organizational structure for 57 Studios' internal product management.
57 Studios' standard category taxonomy is documented in the pricing section of this article. Category configuration in Tebex includes the category name, description, and display order on the storefront.
Phase 7: Product listing creation
Each product listing in Tebex includes:
- Product name.
- Product description (full text describing exactly what the customer receives).
- Price (in the store currency).
- Category assignment.
- Product images (in-game screenshots; minimum three per listing).
- Server command configuration (the commands executed on purchase).
- Required packages (dependency products, if applicable).
- Expiry settings (permanent or subscription-based).
- Refund eligibility toggle.
Phase 8: Server command configuration
The server command configuration is the most technically critical part of product setup. For each product, one or more commands are configured that Tebex will execute on the Unturned server when a purchase is completed.
A typical permission-grant command uses the server's permission plugin syntax. For example, a command that grants the player a "vip" permission tier would be structured according to the server's permission plugin's command format, with the player's name or Steam ID substituted in using Tebex's variable syntax.
57 Studios tests each command in the following sequence before product publication:
- Execute the command manually on the staging server to confirm it works.
- Configure the command in the Tebex product editor.
- Complete a test purchase using Tebex's test mode.
- Confirm the command was executed on the staging server.
- Confirm the player received the expected in-game entitlement.
- Move to production only after all three steps pass.
Product categories and the 57 Studios taxonomy
57 Studios organizes its Tebex storefront into product categories aligned with the major mod types the studio produces. The taxonomy serves both customer navigation and internal product management.
| Category | Description | Distribution model | Typical delivery |
|---|---|---|---|
| Weapon Mods | Original weapon mods with custom models, animations, and .dat configurations | Workshop (files) + Tebex (server access) | Permission node on target server |
| Vehicle Mods | Original vehicle mods with custom models and configurations | Workshop (files) + Tebex (server access) | Permission node on target server |
| Cosmetics | Player cosmetics and custom clothing items | Workshop (files) + Tebex (server access) | Permission node on target server |
| Map Packs | Commercial map releases for specific server environments | Workshop (files) + server-side config | Map access permission on target server |
| Bundles | Discounted product bundles combining multiple individual mods | Inherited from bundled products | Multiple permission nodes, single purchase |
| Server Roles | Server-side permission tiers for RP servers | Server-side only | Permission tier on designated RP server |
57 Studios' documented price points by mod category
The following price points reflect 57 Studios' documented pricing strategy as of the current document version. Prices are in USD. This is a living reference — price points are reviewed annually and updated when market conditions or production costs change materially.
| Category | Entry tier | Standard tier | Premium tier | Basis for tier differentiation |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Weapon mods | $2.99 | $4.99 | $7.99 | Entry = retexture of existing geometry; Standard = fully original model and textures; Premium = original model, textures, and custom animation set |
| Vehicle mods | $4.99 | $7.99 | $12.99 | Entry = standard vehicle model; Standard = detailed original model; Premium = complex multi-part vehicle with custom animations |
| Cosmetics | $1.99 | $3.99 | $6.99 | Entry = single cosmetic item; Standard = cosmetic set; Premium = full cosmetic collection with visual effects |
| Map packs | $4.99 | $9.99 | N/A | Standard = complete playable map; Premium = large-scale RP or survival map with extensive scripted content |
| Bundles | 20–30% off sum of individual prices | — | — | Calculated against current individual prices at time of bundle creation |
| Server roles — monthly | $4.99 | $9.99 | $19.99 | Tier 1 / Tier 2 / Tier 3 on the RP server permission hierarchy |
| Server roles — lifetime | $14.99 | $29.99 | $49.99 | Same tier hierarchy; lifetime pricing is 3× the monthly price rounded to nearest $0.99 |
Price the product, not the production cost
The entry tier is not costed at zero margin — it is priced at a discovery rate that converts first-time customers. Margin is recovered over the customer's lifetime purchases, not on the first transaction. This is a deliberate business model choice, not a pricing error.
Pricing rationale
These price points were developed through a combination of 57 Studios' production cost accounting and observation of pricing on comparable Unturned storefronts. The Unturned player demographic is price-sensitive — the game itself has historically been free-to-play or very low cost — and the commercial mod market reflects that sensitivity.
The entry tier at $2.99 for weapons functions primarily as a discovery price. Its purpose is to convert first-time customers who have seen a weapon in-game and want access. First-time buyers who convert at $2.99 demonstrate purchase intent and are statistically more likely to return for higher-margin products. This is documented behavior in digital goods markets and is the reason the entry tier is priced below what a pure margin analysis would suggest.
The premium tier at $7.99 for weapons captures buyers who have already purchased from the studio and who are willing to pay for documented quality. At this price point, the buyer has sufficient information about 57 Studios' output quality to make a confident purchase.
Monthly vs. lifetime server roles: the lifetime option is offered at 3× the monthly price because server infrastructure has ongoing costs, and the studio needs the monthly subscription revenue to cover those costs. Lifetime purchases are offered as an accommodation to players who prefer one-time purchases over recurring billing.
Price adjustment policy
Prices may be adjusted under the following circumstances:
- Annual review finds that prices are materially out of alignment with market rates.
- Production costs change significantly (e.g., new tool licensing costs, infrastructure cost increases).
- A product category is discontinued and remaining inventory is discounted.
Prices are not adjusted retroactively. A customer who purchased at a prior price retains their entitlement at the original purchase price. If a price decreases after a purchase, 57 Studios does not issue refunds for the price difference.
Pricing strategy: governing principles
57 Studios applies five governing principles to all pricing decisions.
Principle 1: Price reflects documented production cost. Production cost — the number of hours at the studio's internal cost rate required to produce the mod — is one of three inputs into the pricing formula. The other two inputs are market rate (what comparable products sell for on comparable storefronts) and perceived value (what players are willing to pay based on the mod's visible quality and utility). All three inputs are considered.
Principle 2: Transparent value, no fabricated scarcity or artificial urgency. Every product listing describes exactly what the player receives before the transaction is completed. 57 Studios does not use artificial time limits on permanently available products, countdown timers on digital goods with no genuine scarcity, or fabricated edition sizes. If a product is genuinely limited (e.g., a server role tier that is capped because the server cannot support unlimited high-tier players), the limitation is real and disclosed accurately.
Principle 3: Bundles provide genuine savings. Bundle pricing provides a real dollar saving compared to purchasing the bundled products individually. 57 Studios does not inflate individual prices to make bundle discounts appear larger. The individual prices are the same whether purchased individually or as part of a bundle.
Principle 4: Recurring subscriptions only for recurring value. Server role subscriptions are priced on a recurring monthly basis only where the value delivered is genuinely ongoing — an active RP server with regular content updates, active moderation, and a living player community. Subscriptions that would deliver a static entitlement without ongoing value are structured as lifetime purchases rather than subscriptions.
Principle 5: Annual price review. Production costs, community purchasing behavior, the competitive landscape, and platform fee structures change over time. 57 Studios reviews all product prices at least annually. Price increases are implemented with at minimum 30 days' notice to the community before taking effect.
Refund policy
57 Studios' Tebex storefront operates under the following refund policy. This policy is displayed on the storefront's terms page and on each individual product listing.
| Scenario | Policy |
|---|---|
| Player purchased the wrong product and contacts support within 48 hours, entitlement not yet activated | Refund honored; entitlement revoked |
| Product does not function as described, defect confirmed by 57 Studios support, defect not resolvable within 72 hours | Refund honored |
| Player changed their mind after delivery | Refund not honored — digital goods once delivered cannot be returned |
| Player's account was banned from the server for rule violations | Refund not honored — server bans are at the server operator's discretion and are not 57 Studios' responsibility |
| Duplicate purchase of the same product | Refund honored for the duplicate; first-purchase entitlement is retained |
| Subscription that was not cancelled before the renewal date | Refund of the renewal charge honored within 48 hours if no entitlement has been used in the new billing period |
| Chargeback filed without prior contact with 57 Studios support | Account flagged for review; future purchases subject to manual approval |
The refund policy is consistent with Tebex's platform terms and with standard practice for digital goods in the gaming market. The core principle is that a player who has received and can use the entitlement they purchased has received the product and the refund window has closed.
Chargeback risk and consequences
Credit card chargebacks are a material risk in gaming e-commerce. A customer who files a chargeback through their payment provider without first contacting 57 Studios support creates administrative work, financial risk (Tebex deducts the chargeback amount plus a fee from the seller's account), and complications for future transactions. Chargebacks that are not successfully disputed result in the seller absorbing both the refunded amount and the chargeback fee. 57 Studios' policy is to flag accounts that initiate chargebacks without prior support contact for manual review on future purchases. Customers with legitimate issues should contact 57 Studios support before initiating a payment dispute — most issues are resolvable through support faster than through a payment provider dispute.
Customer support operations
Operating a commercial Tebex storefront requires active customer support. Customers who encounter purchase issues, delivery failures, or product questions need a resolution path that is fast and reliable.
57 Studios' customer support structure for Tebex purchases:
| Channel | Response target | Use case |
|---|---|---|
| Discord support ticket system | 24 hours | Delivery failures, technical issues, urgent matters |
| Email (listed on storefront) | 48–72 hours | Billing and refund requests |
| Tebex storefront message system | 48 hours | General product questions |
The most common customer support issues in order of occurrence frequency:
Issue 1: Entitlement not received after purchase. This is the most frequent issue. The most common cause is the server being offline when Tebex attempted to execute the delivery command. Resolution: manually execute the delivery command from the Tebex dashboard. The Tebex dashboard shows the status of each delivery command attempt; failed attempts can be retried manually.
Issue 2: Player connected to the wrong server. The entitlement is delivered to a specific server (the one the Tebex command targets). If the player connects to a different server expecting to find their entitlement, the entitlement will not be present. Resolution: confirm which server the product applies to and direct the player to connect to the correct server.
Issue 3: Wrong product purchased. Resolved per refund policy if the player contacts support within 48 hours and the entitlement has not been activated.
Issue 4: Subscription renewal confusion. Players who set up subscriptions and later forget the renewal date may be surprised by the charge. Resolution: Tebex sends renewal reminders by email; confirm the player's email is current. If a refund is warranted per policy, process it promptly.
Tax obligations
Commercial mod sales generate taxable revenue. Tax obligations depend on the seller's jurisdiction, the customer's jurisdiction, and the platform's merchant-of-record configuration. This section summarizes the major obligations. This is not tax advice; consult a qualified tax professional for guidance specific to your situation.
This section is informational, not tax advice
The tax summary below reflects general principles as understood by 57 Studios. Tax law changes regularly and varies by jurisdiction. Consult a qualified tax professional for advice specific to your situation and filing obligations.
US sellers: W-9 and income reporting
US-based sellers on Tebex receive revenue that is taxable as business income under US federal and state tax law. The gross revenue — before Tebex fees — is included in gross income for tax purposes. Tebex platform fees are deductible as a business expense.
Tebex may be required to issue a Form 1099-K to US sellers if the seller's annual transactions exceed the IRS reporting threshold. The threshold has changed in recent tax years; verify the current threshold with IRS publications or a tax professional.
US sellers must provide a Form W-9 to Tebex when requested. The W-9 provides the seller's Taxpayer Identification Number (TIN) — either a Social Security Number (SSN) for individuals or an Employer Identification Number (EIN) for business entities. Failure to provide the W-9 may result in Tebex withholding backup withholding tax (currently 24%) from payouts until the form is provided.
57 Studios operates with an EIN and has provided a W-9 to Tebex on request.
Non-US sellers: W-8BEN and withholding
Non-US sellers receiving payouts from Tebex (a US-connected payment system) may be subject to US withholding tax on their payments. The W-8BEN form (for individuals) or W-8BEN-E form (for foreign entities) is used to certify foreign status and, where applicable, to claim reduced withholding rates under a US tax treaty.
Non-US sellers should:
- Determine whether their country has a tax treaty with the United States.
- Complete the appropriate W-8 form.
- Provide the form to Tebex to establish their withholding status.
- Consult a tax professional familiar with international withholding tax before their first payout.
VAT: European Union and United Kingdom
EU and UK VAT rules apply to digital goods sold to consumers in those regions. The rules require that VAT be collected at the rate applicable in the consumer's member state (for the EU) or in the UK.
Tebex offers a merchant-of-record (MoR) configuration in which Tebex assumes responsibility for collecting and remitting VAT on sales to EU and UK customers. If this configuration is active on your store, you receive net revenue after VAT collection; Tebex handles the VAT remittance to the relevant tax authorities. This simplifies compliance significantly.
Verify your Tebex configuration
The merchant-of-record configuration is not automatically active on all Tebex stores. Verify your store's tax configuration in the Tebex dashboard to confirm whether Tebex is handling VAT on your behalf. If MoR is not active and you are selling to EU/UK customers, you may have unaddressed VAT obligations. Consult a VAT specialist if you are unsure.
US sales tax: nexus and digital goods
US sales tax on digital goods is a complex and rapidly evolving area. The Supreme Court's 2018 South Dakota v. Wayfair decision established that states can impose sales tax obligations on remote sellers based on economic nexus — the seller's volume of sales into the state — even without physical presence.
As of 2025, the majority of US states have enacted economic nexus rules with thresholds typically at $100,000 in annual sales or 200 transactions into the state. States differ on whether digital goods are subject to sales tax at all; not all states tax digital goods.
The implications for an Unturned mod seller:
- If your annual US revenue is modest (under $50,000 total), your state-specific revenue is likely below most economic nexus thresholds.
- As revenue grows, track which states your customers are in and monitor whether you are approaching nexus thresholds.
- Consult a sales tax specialist when you approach a state's threshold — registering and remitting sales tax before you exceed the threshold is significantly easier than addressing retrospective liability.
57 Studios manages its own US sales tax compliance with guidance from a tax professional.
Payout schedule and reconciliation
Tebex disburses revenue on a configured schedule. The parameters that affect payout timing are:
| Parameter | Typical value | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Payout schedule | Weekly or monthly | Configurable in the Tebex financial settings |
| Minimum payout threshold | Varies by method and region | Must reach threshold before payout triggers |
| Processing time | 3–7 business days after trigger | Banking infrastructure delays vary by region |
| Platform fee | Percentage of gross revenue | Review current Tebex pricing for exact rates |
| Currency | Store currency or converted | Conversion rates and fees apply for non-local payouts |
57 Studios reconciles each Tebex payout against its internal revenue records at each payout interval. The reconciliation confirms:
- Gross revenue recorded in Tebex matches the studio's order records.
- Tebex platform fee deducted is consistent with the agreed fee rate.
- Net payout received matches gross revenue minus platform fee minus any chargebacks.
- Tax withholding (if applicable) is recorded accurately.
Any reconciliation discrepancy is investigated before the next payout cycle. A discrepancy that cannot be resolved through the Tebex dashboard's reporting is escalated to Tebex support.
Server-tied vs. client-tied commercial mods
Commercial Unturned mods fall into two distribution models. Understanding the distinction is important for structuring products correctly.
Server-tied mods
Server-tied mods are the dominant commercial model for multiplayer Unturned content. The mod files are on the Workshop (free). The commercial entitlement is a server-side permission that activates the mod's features for a specific player on a specific server. The server validates entitlement at connection time by checking the player's permission node.
Characteristics:
- Workshop files remain free and publicly accessible.
- Entitlement is server-specific — the player can use the mod on the servers it applies to.
- Entitlement can be revoked server-side (for rule violations, for example).
- Requires an active server running the Tebex plugin.
- If the server shuts down permanently, the entitlement has no venue; this is a disclosed risk.
57 Studios' current product catalog is primarily server-tied, consistent with the standard model for multiplayer Unturned commercial content.
Client-tied mods
Client-tied mods require the player to receive and install files outside the standard Workshop flow. They are less common in Unturned because the Workshop is so well-integrated into the multiplayer server workflow. Client-tied mods are more appropriate for:
- Single-player content that functions offline.
- Tools that modify the client experience independently of server state.
- Content that the player owns and runs on their own private server.
Client-tied commercial distribution through Tebex uses Tebex's file delivery feature rather than server command delivery — the player receives a download link after purchase.
Hybrid mods
Some products combine server-tied and client-tied elements. For example, a premium RP server package might include:
- A server-side permission tier (server-tied, delivered via command).
- A custom client overlay or HUD element (client-tied, delivered via download).
Hybrid products require testing both delivery channels in the staging environment before publication.
Tebex's relationship with Steam Workshop
Tebex and the Steam Workshop are entirely separate platforms with no technical integration. They operate as parallel distribution channels serving different functions. This separation is intentional and is what makes the commercial modding model work within Steam's rules.
| Dimension | Steam Workshop | Tebex |
|---|---|---|
| Purpose | Mod file distribution | Entitlement (server access) commerce |
| Player cost | Free | Paid |
| Content type | Mod assets (models, textures, configs) | Permission to use mod features |
| Integration with Unturned | Native — Workshop files load automatically | Via server plugin — commands execute on purchase |
| Operated by | Valve Corporation | Tebex Ltd |
| Account required | Steam account | Tebex customer account (or guest checkout) |
The two channels must be managed in parallel. Changes to Workshop content (updates, new versions, bug fixes) do not automatically affect Tebex product listings and vice versa. A new mod version on the Workshop may require a server-command update on the Tebex product if the permission node structure changes.
Horizon Life RP and server-role commercial products
57 Studios' involvement with Horizon Life RP — an Unturned roleplay server — represents a specific category of commercial product: server roles. Server-role products are structured differently from item or map mods.
Server roles depend on server continuity
Server-role products derive their value entirely from the server remaining operational. Product listings must disclose this dependency clearly. If the server shuts down, existing role entitlements have no venue — this is a disclosed risk of the server-role product category.
Server role product structure
A server role product grants the purchaser a permission tier on the RP server. The tier determines which in-game activities, locations, jobs, or privileges the player can access. Tier pricing reflects the scope of access granted.
| Tier | Access scope | 57 Studios price (monthly) | 57 Studios price (lifetime) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tier 1 | Standard RP access with core job pool | $4.99/mo | $14.99 |
| Tier 2 | Extended RP access with premium job pool and cosmetic benefits | $9.99/mo | $29.99 |
| Tier 3 | Full RP access with all jobs, exclusive cosmetics, and priority server access | $19.99/mo | $49.99 |
Server-role products have specific operational considerations:
- Subscription management: monthly subscriptions require Tebex's subscription feature and expiry commands that remove the permission node when the subscription lapses.
- Server dependency: the entitlement is entirely server-dependent. If the server operator (Asineth for Horizon Life RP) changes the permission system, role products may require updates.
- Disclosure to customers: product listings must clearly identify which server the role applies to and that access depends on the server remaining operational.
Storefront copy standards
All 57 Studios storefront copy — product names, descriptions, category descriptions, and the storefront homepage — adheres to the following standards.
Accuracy: product descriptions describe exactly what the customer receives. No feature is listed that is not delivered.
Attribution: Unturned™ is used with the trademark symbol on first mention in each page. 57 Studios is identified as a third-party community mod studio, not as SDG or as an official Unturned entity.
Clarity on server applicability: products that apply to specific servers identify those servers by name in the description.
Refund policy reference: each product listing page links to or displays the applicable refund policy.
DMCA contact: the storefront includes contact information for DMCA notices in its terms or contact page.
No fabricated urgency: countdown timers, artificial scarcity notifications, and fabricated edition-size limits are not used on products where no genuine scarcity exists.
Analytics and revenue tracking
Tebex provides revenue analytics in the seller dashboard. 57 Studios uses the following analytics to manage the commercial operation:
| Metric | Use |
|---|---|
| Gross revenue by product | Identifies best-performing products; informs development priority |
| Gross revenue by period | Tracks growth trends; identifies seasonal patterns |
| Conversion rate (visitors to purchasers) | Identifies listing quality issues; informs A/B testing |
| Refund rate by product | High refund rate on a product signals a delivery or quality issue |
| Chargeback rate | Elevated chargeback rate signals customer satisfaction problems or fraud |
| Customer repeat purchase rate | Measures customer retention; informs loyalty program design |
Revenue data is reviewed monthly by 57 Studios' business function. Anomalies — sudden drops in revenue, spikes in refund requests, delivery failure clusters — trigger an investigation within 48 hours.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a business entity to sell mods on Tebex?
No. Tebex accounts can be operated as individuals. Operating as a registered business entity may provide tax advantages, liability protection, and credibility with customers, depending on your jurisdiction. Consult a business attorney and accountant for guidance specific to your situation. 57 Studios operates as a business entity, which is 57 Studios' preference but not a requirement imposed on other modders.
Can I sell the same mod on multiple storefronts simultaneously?
Yes, assuming no exclusivity agreement has been entered into. 57 Studios distributes its commercial content exclusively through the 57 Studios Tebex storefront by choice. There is no platform-level rule that prohibits multi-platform distribution for most mods. However, managing multiple storefronts multiplies the operational overhead — product listings, customer support, payout reconciliation, and tax compliance must be managed across all platforms simultaneously.
How does Tebex handle chargebacks?
When a customer initiates a chargeback through their payment provider, Tebex is notified by the payment processor. Tebex deducts the chargeback amount from the seller's account balance, plus a chargeback fee. The seller may submit evidence of delivery through the Tebex dispute process in the dashboard. A successfully disputed chargeback returns the funds to the seller; an unsuccessful dispute results in the seller absorbing the loss. 57 Studios' policy is to contest chargebacks where evidence of delivery exists and to use the outcome to inform the customer flagging process.
What currency should I price my products in?
57 Studios prices in USD. USD is the most widely recognized currency in the global gaming market and avoids confusion for international customers. Tebex can display prices in the customer's local currency at checkout using live exchange rates, even if the store's base currency is USD. The seller receives payouts in the configured payout currency, which may differ from the store's display currency.
How do I handle a player who claims they purchased but received nothing?
Check the Tebex dashboard for the transaction. If the transaction is recorded, check the delivery log for command execution status. If the command failed (most commonly because the server was offline), manually execute the delivery command from the dashboard. If the transaction is not in the Tebex dashboard, ask the player for their purchase confirmation email as proof of purchase before proceeding with manual delivery.
Can I offer a free trial of a commercial mod?
Yes. One approach is a time-limited server event where commercial content is unlocked for all players on a specific server for a defined period. Another approach is a free Tebex product tier that grants a limited or time-limited entitlement. 57 Studios has used server-side trial events for product launches and found them effective for driving conversion among players who want to experience the content before committing to a purchase.
Do I need to disclose commercial availability in the Steam Workshop listing?
Yes — this is 57 Studios' practice and the recommended approach. The Workshop listing description should note that commercial server access is available through the external storefront. This sets accurate player expectations, reduces support confusion, and directs interested players to the purchase channel. It also documents in a public Steam-visible record that the commercial channel is external, reinforcing the Workshop-free / Tebex-paid structure.
What happens to entitlements if 57 Studios discontinues a product?
When 57 Studios discontinues a product, players with existing entitlements are notified in advance with a timeline. Where possible, 57 Studios maintains server-side access for a transition period after discontinuation to allow players to use their purchased content before it is removed. Refunds for discontinued products are evaluated case by case — recent purchases near the discontinuation date are treated more generously than purchases made years prior. This policy is documented in the storefront terms.
Is it legal to have prices in multiple currencies on Tebex?
Yes. Tebex supports multi-currency display. The store's base currency is used for payouts and accounting; customer-facing prices can be shown in local currencies using Tebex's built-in conversion. Sellers operating in countries where the local currency is the appropriate billing currency may configure the store currency accordingly. The tax implications of selling in different currencies vary by jurisdiction.
How do I update a product's server command if the server's permission system changes?
Open the product editor in the Tebex dashboard, navigate to the commands section, and update the command text to reflect the new permission system syntax. The update applies to future purchases immediately. Existing entitlements that were delivered under the old command format remain in effect on the server side — updating the Tebex command does not retroactively change what was already delivered to existing customers.
Should I use Tebex packages or individual products for a bundle?
Tebex supports both approaches. The bundle-as-package approach uses Tebex's native package feature to group products with a combined price. The bundle-as-individual-product approach creates a separate listing for the bundle with a custom price and individual command entries for each component. 57 Studios uses the native package feature where possible because it simplifies inventory tracking and automatically reflects component product updates in the bundle.
What should I do if a customer's purchased server role stops working after a server update?
If the server operator updates the permission plugin or changes the permission node naming convention, existing entitlements may reference outdated permission nodes. The resolution is for the server operator to either migrate existing permissions to the new naming convention or to update the Tebex product command to use the new node name and manually re-grant the entitlement to affected customers. 57 Studios coordinates with Horizon Life RP's server operators before any server updates that affect the permission system to ensure continuity for existing customers.
What is the recommended approach for a first commercial mod release?
57 Studios' recommendation for a first commercial release:
- Start with a single, well-defined product in a single category.
- Test end-to-end delivery thoroughly on a staging server before publishing.
- Price at the entry tier for the category; move to standard or premium pricing after the delivery and support process is validated.
- Monitor the Tebex dashboard daily for the first two weeks after launch for delivery failures or customer issues.
- Respond to customer support requests within the target response time from day one — reputation is established in the first interactions.
- Add products progressively rather than launching a full catalog simultaneously; each additional product multiplies the support surface area.
How does Tebex's subscription feature work for server roles?
Tebex subscriptions charge the customer's payment method at the configured interval (monthly, in 57 Studios' case) automatically. At each renewal, Tebex executes the renewal command on the server (confirming or refreshing the permission). When a subscription lapses (cancelled by the customer or payment fails), Tebex executes the expiry command on the server, which removes the permission node. The subscription lifecycle — active, cancelled, expired, payment failed — is visible in the Tebex dashboard's customer management section.
Secret key security
The Tebex store secret key is a sensitive credential. Anyone with access to the secret key can execute server commands through the Tebex API. Treat it with the same security discipline as a database password. Never commit it to a public repository, never share it in community channels, and rotate it immediately if you have any reason to believe it has been exposed.
Fraud prevention and account security
Commercial storefront operators are targets for fraud — both from bad actors attempting to purchase using stolen payment credentials and from social-engineering attempts aimed at extracting free entitlements. 57 Studios maintains the following fraud-prevention practices.
Purchase fraud detection
Tebex's payment processing infrastructure includes fraud detection mechanisms from the underlying payment processor. However, these mechanisms are not foolproof. Indicators that a purchase may be fraudulent include:
- High-value purchases from accounts with no prior purchase history.
- Multiple high-value purchases in rapid succession from the same account or payment method.
- Purchases followed immediately by a chargeback dispute with no prior support contact.
- Purchases made using a payment method from a different geographic region than the account's apparent location.
57 Studios reviews the Tebex dashboard for anomalous purchase patterns and flags suspicious accounts for manual review before processing entitlement delivery.
Social engineering attempts
Social engineering in a commercial mod context typically takes the form of players claiming to have purchased when they have not, asking for manual entitlement grants without a purchase record, or impersonating 57 Studios team members to obtain elevated server access. 57 Studios' support process addresses this by requiring purchase confirmation (a Tebex transaction record or confirmation email) before any manual entitlement grant.
Account credential security
The Tebex store's secret key — the credential used by the server plugin to authenticate with Tebex's API — must be treated as a sensitive credential. If the secret key is compromised, an attacker could execute arbitrary server commands through the Tebex API. 57 Studios stores the secret key in the server's configuration file with appropriate file permission restrictions and rotates the key if there is any reason to believe it has been exposed.
Revenue considerations and business model sustainability
Commercial Unturned modding is a real business activity with real economics. Understanding the unit economics is important for making sustainable decisions about which mods to develop commercially and how to price them.
Unit economics framework
| Input | Calculation |
|---|---|
| Gross revenue per unit | Sale price in USD |
| Tebex platform fee | Gross revenue × fee rate |
| Payment processing fee | Included in Tebex platform fee for most plan types |
| Net revenue per unit | Gross revenue − Tebex platform fee |
| Production cost per unit | Total development hours × internal hourly cost rate ÷ expected unit sales |
| Support cost per unit | Estimated support hours per month × internal cost rate ÷ monthly unit sales |
| Gross margin per unit | Net revenue − production cost per unit − support cost per unit |
For a weapon mod priced at $4.99 (Standard tier):
- Net revenue after Tebex fee (approximate, excluding exact current fee): approximately $4.00–4.50 depending on plan.
- Production cost per unit: depends on total expected sales. If a mod costs 20 hours to produce at an internal rate of $25/hour (opportunity cost), the $500 total cost is recovered at 125 units sold at $4.00 net.
- At 500 units sold, the production cost has been recovered at 125 units and the remaining 375 units generate margin.
The implication: production cost recovery per unit decreases as total sales volume increases. Mods with high expected sales volume can absorb higher production costs and lower price points. Niche mods with low expected sales volume require either higher prices or lower production costs to be sustainable.
Development priority framework
57 Studios uses the following framework to prioritize commercial mod development.
Validate demand before investing in commercial development
A free Workshop release is a low-cost demand signal. If the free release does not attract downloads, the commercial version will not attract buyers. Use free releases to validate demand; commit commercial development resources only when demand is demonstrated.
The free-to-commercial pipeline
One of 57 Studios' validated development approaches is to release a mod free on the Workshop first, measure community uptake, and then develop a commercial version with premium features. The free release validates demand without the production cost of the full commercial version. If the free release demonstrates community interest, the commercial development investment is de-risked.
This approach is not appropriate for all products. Some mods are commercial from the outset — particularly mods developed specifically for a paying server operator context (like Horizon Life RP server roles). But for content mods where demand is uncertain, the free-to-commercial pipeline has proven effective.
Marketplace positioning and competitive context
The Unturned commercial modding marketplace has multiple active sellers. 57 Studios operates within this competitive context and positions its products relative to the market.
| Positioning factor | 57 Studios' approach |
|---|---|
| Quality differentiation | 57 Studios mods are authored at a quality bar calibrated to the premium tier of the market. Lower-quality competitors exist at lower price points; 57 Studios does not compete primarily on price. |
| Original authorship emphasis | The studio's original authorship is a differentiator in a market where some sellers distribute modified third-party assets. Buyers who care about supporting original creators are part of 57 Studios' target audience. |
| Community reputation | Responsive support, accurate product descriptions, and honest communication build the community trust that drives word-of-mouth sales more effectively than any paid marketing. |
| Catalog breadth | The studio develops products across multiple categories (weapons, vehicles, maps, server roles) rather than specializing narrowly, which allows cross-selling to existing customers. |
| Server operator relationships | 57 Studios' relationship with Horizon Life RP and other server operators provides a predictable sales channel alongside the open marketplace. |
Scope of this document and what it does not cover
This article covers the commercial mechanics of operating a Tebex storefront for Unturned mods. The following topics are adjacent to but outside this document's scope:
- What SDG permits to be sold — see Smartly Dressed Games Modding Policy.
- Trademark usage in commercial mod branding — see Trademark and Brand in Mods.
- The Steam Workshop submission process for the free-distribution layer — see Steam Workshop Submission.
- Comprehensive tax advice — this document provides a summary of applicable tax concepts; for professional tax guidance specific to your situation, consult a qualified tax professional or accountant.
- Tebex platform terms and technical documentation — consult Tebex's own documentation for the authoritative reference on platform features, fees, and technical integration.
This document represents 57 Studios' own operational practices and interpretations. It is not a legal opinion and should not be relied upon as legal advice for matters with significant financial or legal consequence.
Appendix A: Tebex setup completion checklist
| Step | Action | Verification |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Create Tebex account | Account email confirmed |
| 2 | Complete identity verification | Status: Verified |
| 3 | Configure payout method | Test payout transaction initiated |
| 4 | Install Tebex plugin on Unturned server | Server shows Connected in Tebex dashboard |
| 5 | Configure store details | Store name, currency, and branding set |
| 6 | Create product category structure | All categories visible on live storefront |
| 7 | Create first product listing | Product visible on live storefront |
| 8 | Configure server commands for each product | Commands listed in product editor |
| 9 | Complete end-to-end test on staging server | Entitlement delivered and verified |
| 10 | Configure tax settings | Tax display confirmed on test checkout |
| 11 | Link storefront in Workshop listing descriptions | Workshop descriptions updated |
| 12 | Confirm customer support channel operational | Support channel tested and confirmed |
| 13 | Verify refund policy displayed on each listing | Policy visible to customer pre-purchase |
| 14 | Confirm DMCA contact information accessible | Contact info on terms or contact page |
Appendix B: External references
| Resource | URL | Purpose |
|---|---|---|
| Unturned Steam page | https://store.steampowered.com/app/304930/Unturned/ | Game overview; Workshop link; context for Workshop-free distribution model |
| SDG Modding Documentation | https://docs.smartlydressedgames.com/en/stable/ | Confirms Workshop-free distribution requirement; modding API documentation |
Note: 57 Studios does not maintain or verify the continued availability of external URLs. Tebex URLs are intentionally not listed here as the Tebex platform's URL structure is subject to change; access Tebex through its current domain as found via a direct web search.
Appendix C: 57 Studios' commercial operations cadence
| Task | Frequency | Responsible party |
|---|---|---|
| Payout reconciliation | Each payout cycle | Finance |
| Customer support queue review | Daily | Support |
| Delivery failure audit (check for failed commands) | Weekly | Support / Infrastructure |
| Product listing accuracy audit | Quarterly | Marketing |
| Server plugin health check | Weekly | Infrastructure |
| Tax compliance review | Annually | Finance / external accountant |
| Price point review | Annually | Business |
| Refund policy review | Annually | Legal |
| SDG modding policy review (cross-reference) | Quarterly | Legal |
| Storefront terms and privacy policy update | Annually or when legally required | Legal |
Appendix C: Document version history
| Version | Date | Author | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1.0 | 2025-05-18 | 57 Studios | Initial publication. Covers Tebex setup, server-side licensing architecture, pricing strategy, tax obligations, refund policy, payout mechanics, and 57 Studios' documented price points by category. |
Closing note
Commercial modding for Unturned via Tebex is a sustainable business model for studios that operate it correctly: original content, transparent pricing, responsive support, sound tax compliance, and a clear understanding of the two-channel distribution architecture. The mechanics described in this article — from storefront setup through payout reconciliation — are not abstractions. They are the documented practices of 57 Studios' own operating storefront, shared because the community benefits from having a clear reference rather than reconstructing these practices from scratch for each new commercial modder.
The most common reasons commercial modding operations fail are not legal or policy problems — they are operational: delivery failures that generate refund requests and negative reputation, pricing that does not cover production costs, tax obligations discovered late, and customer support that cannot keep pace with sales. Getting the operational foundation right before scaling sales is the single most important factor in commercial mod business longevity.
For questions about the content of this article, contact 57 Studios through the support channels listed on the commercial storefront. For Tebex platform questions, consult Tebex's own documentation and support channels. For SDG policy questions related to what can be sold commercially, see Smartly Dressed Games Modding Policy.
Cross-references
- Smartly Dressed Games Modding Policy — previous article; covers the SDG policy basis for commercial mod sales.
- Trademark and Brand in Mods — next article; covers trademark usage in commercial mod branding and marketing.
- Steam Workshop Submission — the Workshop publishing workflow that runs in parallel with Tebex storefront setup.
- Unturned on Steam — the game's Steam page and Workshop entry point.
- SDG Modding Documentation — confirms the Workshop distribution framework within which the Tebex model operates.