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Finally! Announced last spring, Fab will be launched in October. This new assets marketplace by Epic Games has a simple goal: to combine Quixel, Sketchfab, Unreal Engine Marketplace, and ArtStation Marketplace into one unified experience.
A merger that makes sense
This move makes sense: over time, as Epic Games acquired and developed various platforms for sharing or selling assets, resources became scattered. This complicates things for both sellers and buyers. Merging everything is a logical choice.
Fab’s rollout will be gradual. For now, it is possible for content creators to migrate from the Unreal Engine Marketplace. In early October, Sketchfab will begin its migration. Furthermore, Epic will be opening Fab to new content creators. Finally, in mid-October, the platform will officially launch.
88% for Sellers and a Launch Promotion
The revenue-sharing ratio will be 88/12, meaning sellers will receive 88% of each sale, with the remainder going to Epic Games. Additionally, to encourage adoption of the new platform, Epic Games makes two announcements:
- Creators will receive a 100% revenue share on sales of Fab Standard Licensed products until the end of 2024.
- A promotional offer, details of which will be provided mid October when Fab launches, will allow both content creators and customers (with purchases of at least $25) to enjoy a six-month subscription to Adobe Substance Painter and Modeler for free.
First Details and Clarifications on Generative AI
Furthermore, Epic Games has shared some information on what Fab will offer at launch. Key details include a mention of generative AI: you will be able to specifiy if your assets can be used to train AIs or not (we assume this will likely be done using an opt-out system, such as a NoAI tag). Additionally, sellers will be required to disclose if an asset/product was created with the help of generative AI. This is especially important as AI-powered 3D model creation tools begin to hit the market.
- Multi-engine, multi-platform support, offering content compatible with multiple game engines including Unreal Engine and Unity (with more to come!), and dozens of digital content creation tools, such as Blender, Maya, Cinema 4D, and Adobe Substance 3D.
- Wide variety of asset types with 3D models, 2D assets for game engines, environments, audio, tools, and plugins in multiple formats.
- Unreal Engine and UEFN integrations so creators can access Fab content without leaving the editor, making it easy to bring assets directly into their projects.
- Next-generation real-time 3D viewer, enabling creators to inspect 3D assets and giving publishers the tools to easily present their work in real-time 3D.
- Powerful search and discovery tools so that creators can find the file formats or assets they’re looking for quickly, at the right price, and under their preferred license.
- Multiple license types with tiered pricing for Standard Licenses enabling sellers to make products available to purchase at different price points for personal or professional use.
- AI transparency, allowing creators to control whether their products can be used to train generative AI programs, requiring sellers to clearly state if their products were created with the help of generative AI programs, and assurance that Epic will not use, or make deals with others to use creators’ content to train generative AI programs.
Epic Games also clarified that, in the future, more file formats will be supported, and more resources will be offered, including Minecraft/Roblox content. Access to MetaHumans will also be available.
What will happen to the old marketplaces platforms?
Naturally, questions arise about the future of the old platforms. What will happen to them is set on a case-by-case basis:
- After Fab’s launch, the Unreal Engine Marketplace will no longer be available. As a creator, if you do not transition to Fab, Epic Games will automatically migrate your content.
- Sketchfab will continue to be available, but no longer as a store: it will no longer be possible to sell or buy 3D models. You’ll be able to migrate licensed models (including Creative Commons assets) to Fab. However, you will still be able to upload 3D models to Sketchfab for public or private viewing on the web, and the “Business Solutions” services will remain active.
- Quixel will also migrate to Fab. The Quixel site and bridge will ultimately cease to exist. A significant change will take place: starting in 2025, access to Quixel assets, such as the popular Megascans, will no longer be free. However, everything will remain free until the end of 2024, and assets acquired before the end of the year will remain accessible. A good incentive to use Fab right away.
- For ArtStation, a migration tool will be offered in 2025 to move content sold on the Marketplace to Fab. Portfolios, the prints store, and other features will remain unchanged.
For more information
If you were selling assets on any of the platforms mentioned, it is strongly recommended to follow upcoming Epic Games announcements.
And if you were buying assets, be aware that starting in mid-October, Fab.com will be the new go-to store, with content from various online stores being gradually added as sellers migrate.
