Epic Games, the powerhouse behind the popular Unreal Engine, has just unveiled its highly anticipated unified digital content marketplace, known simply as Fab. Following the announcements made back at the Game Developers Conference (GDC) last year, this launch marks the culmination of two and a half years of development, merging the functionalities of several previously separate platforms, including the Unreal Engine Marketplace, Sketchfab Store, Quixel Megascans, and ArtStation Marketplace.
With Fab now fully operational, creators from various digital fields can discover, buy, sell, and share digital assets all from one centralized location. This means no more hopping between different stores to gather resources for projects. For game developers, whether they’re building with Unreal Engine 5 or creating unique content for Fortnite, access to high-quality assets has never been easier or more streamlined.
For anyone new to the scene, the Fab marketplace is packed with offerings. Epic promises everything from 3D models, visual effects, and animations to sound effects and character models, available for use across multiple game engines, including Unity. This is significant because it breaks down barriers between creative communities, enabling developers to mix and match resources regardless of the platform they're working with.
Bill Clifford, vice president of Unreal Engine and Marketplaces at Epic Games, explained his vision for the marketplace: "We have these vibrant communities and combined, just have millions and millions of high-quality digital assets. We want to create a single destination where users can access all content more easily, sharing and buying with fewer hurdles."
Although the site is live, some integrations are still being finalized. Users of Unreal Engine will be able to access Fab directly from within the Unreal Engine 5 Editor, enhancing convenience. Simultaneously, creators working in the Unreal Editor for Fortnite (UEFN) can also look forward to discovering Fortnite-compatible assets directly from Fab. Though the integration for UEFN is currently under maintenance, it's anticipated to go live shortly.
So, what can users expect when they venture onto Fab? The marketplace features impressive capabilities, including:
- An extensive content library with top-quality 3D assets and VFX.
- A real-time 3D viewer, allowing creators to inspect assets before purchase, ensuring they get exactly what they need.
- Multiple Channels for finding compatible content for different engines—be it Unreal Engine, UEFN, Unity, or others.
- Licensing options to cater to individual project needs, which include Creative Commons licenses and various tiers of Epic's Standard License.
Developers can take advantage of special promotions, too! Until the end of 2024, the full Quixel Megascans library is available for free. This means creators can access over 17,000 assets, including new packs released alongside Fab's launch. If developers act fast, they can claim these assets and use them across various engines—an appealing offer for budget-conscious creators.
One of the appealing aspects of Fab is its commitment to transparency. Each product page clearly details whether portions of the assets were created using generative AI, and users have the option to filter their searches based on this criterion. More than just classification features, this approach empowers developers to make informed choices about the assets they decide to incorporate.
While the marketplace provides numerous opportunities, the transition hasn’t been without its hiccups. Many developers are expressing concerns particularly associated with the migration of Sketchfab assets. Sketchfab has been regarded as one of the leading repositories for 3D models, offering countless artists and organizations the chance to share their work. Following the recent events, some users fear losing access to their decade’s worth of creations as the platforms merge.
Navigational complexity is one concern. Although Epic assures users, "We’re definitely not deleting anyone's content; it's not ours to delete," many believe some content may be lost during the merging process. The company has emphasized its intention to keep all existing functionalities of Sketchfab intact outside of the marketplace offerings.
Still, anxiety persists among the Sketchfab community, prompting the formation of petitions by concerned artists to keep the original platform operational for its integral sharing capabilities. These artists see Sketchfab as not just a marketplace but as a cultural repository housing thousands of valuable models—essential tools for educators, artists, and cultural heritage institutions.
Looking toward the future, Epic Games has ambitious plans for Fab's expansion. Among the upcoming features are support for new file formats such as Roblox and Minecraft assets, along with access to MetaHumans. Clifford hinted at the possibility of these advancements, stating, "Every step we take here is about creating demand for new content and enhancing the experience for all creators." Developers can expect the inclusion of analytics tools to improve sales and product exposure, making it easier for sellers to gauge interest and success on the platform.
This new digital marketplace aspires to do more than just facilitate transactions; it aims to create a vibrant community for all digital content creators. With interoperability being emphasized as key for the long-term vision, Epic’s goal is to take this unified marketplace and connect it to other frameworks within the burgeoning metaverse.
Fab is currently available to all developers eager to explore what it consists of. To whet appetites even more, Epic is offering free trials, including exclusive six-month subscriptions to Adobe Substance Painter for eligible users. This means less time worrying about costs and more time focused on creating engaging and innovative digital content.
For developers ready to jump aboard, they can navigate to Fab.com to explore the marketplace themselves. With so many new features and offerings, the excitement surrounding Fab is palpable as Epic Games continues to pave the way for future enhancements. The potential for growth within this unified marketplace is pivotal for the evolution of digital content development.