When it comes to making a game stand out in the current gaming landscape, you need to offer something that is staggeringly aesthetic and appealing to grab the attention of the gaming community. However, the problem with this is that creating detailed and striking assets is not a cheap practice. Meaning that indie developers have to gamble their entire existence as a company to create one game.
That being said, there are several websites and companies that try to ease the burden on indie studios and offer a variety of assets completely free. In this article, we take a look at the best places to pick up free 3D models and assets. Here is a list of the best places to visit below:
#1 – Blend Swap
First up we have Blend Swap. This is a service that offers a complete range of free to download blends and 3D assets. The service does limit you to a select amount of downloads per week. However, for just $10 you can get unlimited access. So head over to Blend Swap, grab a few new assets and see if any of the subscription services work for you.
#2 – Turbo Squid
Turbo Squid is another great resource for those that want to add to their 3D asset collection. This website is a paid marketplace for such assets, however, there is a way to filter the content to only offer up free 3D models. There are plenty of single assets and collections to choose from, so head over to Turbo Squid and see if there is something you can use for your project.
#3 – Sketch Fab
Now, we have Sketch Fab, a website that acts as a marketplace for 3D models and assets. While this website does lock a lot of it’s premium content behind a paywall, there are still loads of assets that can be found in their free to download section. So if you need a 3D asset to make your game pop, be sure to head over to Sketch Fab and check it out.
#4 – CG Trader
If you are looking for 3D assets that are very much of the realistic and detailed variety. Then CG trader is the place to be. This website offers a plethora of free and stunning content which users can download at will and add to their portfolio. Plus, there is other premium content available if you have some pocket money to spare. So head over to CG Trader and get some free assets for your title.
#5 – Mixamo
Then lastly, we have Mixamo. This website caters for game developers that want to create whimsical, animated games, but need a little help on the financial side to make it work. There are tonnes of stylish cartoon, cel-shaded and realistic 3D assets on offer here. So head over to Mixamo and bring your game to life with no need to break the bank.