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Where to find free game assets (3D)

The sources game developers actually use for free 3D assets, what each is good for, and the checks to run before an asset ships.

Aman PorwalFounder @ Vi3W

2 min read

A pencil sketch of a brass lantern on paper, with the same lantern rising off the page as a solid, lit object

Quick answer

Where can you find free 3D game assets?

Start with CC0 libraries made for games, such as Kenney and Quaternius for stylised low poly and Poly Haven for realistic props and textures. Then try itch.io's free asset packs, OpenGameArt and Sketchfab with a licence filter, plus the free sections of the Unity Asset Store and Fab. Check each asset's licence and format before using it.

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The short list

CC0 game libraries (no strings)

  • Kenney: a big, consistent library of stylised game assets, 2D and 3D, all CC0 per Kenney's support page. Great for prototypes and finished games alike, and the consistency means packs mix well.
  • Quaternius: themed low poly packs (characters, nature, buildings, vehicles), widely distributed as CC0, often with GLB and FBX. Check each pack.
  • Poly Haven: realistic models, PBR textures and HDRIs, all CC0.

Community sites (licence per asset)

  • itch.io: a large game-asset section with many free packs; creators set their own licences.
  • OpenGameArt: long-running community library; licences range from CC0 to copyleft.
  • Sketchfab: individual models, many downloadable under Creative Commons; use the licence filter.

Engine stores (store licences)

  • Unity Asset Store free section.
  • Fab (Epic) free assets, including regular free content for Unreal users.
  • Godot Asset Library is mainly for plugins and tools, but some projects include assets.

What each source is good for

  • Prototyping fast: Kenney.
  • Stylised low poly game: Kenney, Quaternius, then itch.io packs.
  • Realistic props and materials: Poly Haven, Fab.
  • One specific object: Sketchfab search.
  • Characters with animations: Quaternius packs and Mixamo characters (see free 3D character models).

Checks before an asset ships

  1. Licence: commercial use allowed? Attribution required? Saved a copy? Can I use free assets in my game?
  2. Source: does it look ripped from a commercial game? Skip it.
  3. Format: GLB or FBX preferred. See best 3D model format for Godot or for Unity.
  4. Scale and pivot: test-import next to a 1 m cube.
  5. Poly count: within your budget?
  6. Style: does it match the rest of your game?

The style problem

The biggest hidden cost of free assets is mismatch. Three packs from three artists look like three games. Fixes: pick one main source, re-texture everything to a shared palette (palette texturing), and keep lighting consistent. For objects no pack has, in your style, generating them is often faster than searching. Download or generate? compares the two.

Engine-specific lists

Can't find the exact asset? Generate it in your style in Vi3W.

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Frequently asked questions

where to find free game assets

Kenney, Quaternius and Poly Haven for CC0 3D assets; itch.io and OpenGameArt for community packs with per-asset licences; Sketchfab for individual models with a licence filter; and the free sections of engine stores. Check the licence on every asset before shipping it.

how to get free game assets

Download them from asset libraries and stores that offer free content, filter by licence, and keep a record of where each came from. When you can't find what you need, generating or modelling the asset yourself is the alternative.

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