Epic Introduces Unified Fab Marketplace Amid Artist and Developer Concerns

Epic Games has officially launched Fab, a unified marketplace that brings together the offerings of Unreal Engine Marketplace, Sketchfab Store, and Quixel. The move aims to create a single destination for developers to buy and download a vast array of game assets, 3D environments, visual effects, music, sound effects, character models, and more. The new platform features a real-time 3D viewer, allowing developers to inspect assets before purchase, and a plug-in for Unreal Engine that enables seamless integration into ongoing projects. However, the launch has been met with confusion and backlash from the developer community, particularly among Sketchfab users, who are concerned that the migration to Fab will result in the loss of over a decade's worth of creations. Epic has reassured users that it has no intention of deleting any content, with Bill Clifford stating that "nothing is going to change on Sketchfab today outside of the store." The company plans to expand social and community features on Fab over time and has committed to preserving the work of artists and creators on the platform. Despite initial concerns, Epic believes that the unified Fab store will ultimately benefit both creators and customers, providing a single destination for discovering, sharing, buying, and selling digital assets.