Epic Games has officially launched Fab, a unified marketplace combining Unreal Engine Marketplace, Sketchfab Store, and Quixel. This move aims to simplify the discovery and purchase of digital assets for game developers. However, the launch has been met with confusion and backlash from artists and developers, particularly within the Sketchfab community.
Key Points:
– Epic Games launches Fab, a unified marketplace combining Unreal Engine Marketplace, Sketchfab Store, Quixel, and ArtStation.
– Concerns arise among artists and developers regarding content migration, feature limitations, and potential removal of Sketchfab content.
– Epic assures no content will be deleted, and Sketchfab’s core functionality will remain.
– Fab aims to provide a single destination for digital asset discovery, sharing, and sales.
– Artist concerns include profit-driven decisions, content preservation, and potential impact on cultural heritage.
The Fab Marketplace
Fab offers tens of thousands of game assets, 3D environments, visual effects, music, and sound effects, all organized into categories for easy filtering. Developers can browse assets specifically designed for Unreal Engine, Unity, or other platforms. A real-time 3D viewer allows for thorough inspection before purchase, and a plug-in for Unreal Engine seamlessly integrates bought assets into projects.
Artist Concerns
Sketchfab artists are worried that migrating to Fab will result in the removal of over a decade’s worth of creations. An email from Epic announced that Sketchfab’s download feature will be removed in 2025, sparking fears that content not migrated to Fab will be deleted. However, Bill Clifford, Epic’s creator marketplaces manager, assures that “we’re definitely not deleting anyone’s content; it’s not ours to delete.”
Epic’s Response
Epic emphasizes that Sketchfab’s website will remain operational, retaining its utilities for uploading, viewing, and sharing 3D models. The company is investing in Sketchfab’s capabilities, addressing concerns about format and license limitations. Clifford stressed that preserving creators’ work is paramount, citing ongoing communication with the cultural heritage community.
Community Reaction
A petition with over 400 signatures calls for Sketchfab to be preserved, likening changes to “the virtual equivalent of burning the Library of Alexandria.” Artists are lobbying against Fab, questioning Epic’s motivations and the impact on their work.
Epic’s Plans
ArtStation’s store will migrate to Fab in 2025, with plans to support assets for Godot and user-generated content for Roblox and Minecraft. Epic aims to create a “bidirectional relationship” between Fab and original sites, linking creator and publisher pages on Fab to their ArtStation portfolios.
Conclusion
Epic’s Fab marketplace aims to streamline asset discovery and purchasing, but artist concerns highlight the need for clarity and communication. As Fab evolves, Epic must address these worries to ensure a smooth transition for creators and developers.