Epic Games has announced that its extensive Megascans library will be free to all users until 2024. This offer is accessible to everyone, not just Unreal Engine users, through Epic’s new open marketplace, Fab. Fab was initially launched on September 17th, 2024. This move allows users to download and use Megascans content under the Fab Standard license at no cost.
After 2024, Epic will begin charging for most of the content, including use in Unreal Engine projects. Megascans is known as the “world’s largest scanned 3D asset library.” It provides an extensive collection of 3D scans of real-world objects, such as rocks, plants, buildings, and props, along with materials and 2D textures. This content is widely utilized in diverse fields like game development, architectural visualization, motion graphics, VFX, and virtual production.
Previously, Epic acquired Quixel in 2019 and offered Megascans content for free exclusively for projects created in Unreal Engine. Users of other game engines and digital content creation tools required a subscription to access the assets. With the launch of Fab, Megascans content has moved to this new platform, and the assets will be free until the end of 2024.
Megascans access expands via Fab
After this period, charges will apply to support ongoing improvements and new content development. Starting in 2025, users will need to purchase Megascans assets.
Prices will start at $0.99 for individual 2D and 3D assets, $4.99 for procedural asset kits, and $24.99 for asset packs. Despite the introduction of these new charges, some content will continue to be available for free. As of October 22nd, 2024, the Quixel Bridge is no longer available, and users are redirected to Fab.
Quixel Mixer, the material-authoring tool, is also transitioning to Fab, ceasing its updates and downloads via the Quixel website. Epic reports that over 17,000 assets from the Megascans library will be available for free on Fab, with additional packs being released over time. To take advantage of the free offer, users must add the content to their Fab library to apply the new license.
This strategic move follows Epic’s decision to start charging large studios for using Unreal Engine in non-gaming projects. The transition to Fab indicates Epic’s commitment to enhancing and expanding its digital content offerings.
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