Epic Games makes 23,000-asset Quixel Megascans library permanently free, as AI training terms expand
Published 6 Nov 2026 · Games Atlas Editorial · Product Pricing & Terms · Companies: Epic Games, Quixel
Games Atlas summary: Epic Games' Quixel has made its entire Megascans library permanently free. The library spans roughly 23,000 high-quality 3D scanned assets. Updated terms now permit using Megascans and Megaplants assets to train AI models. The move follows a 2024 limited-time free promotion tied to Fab's launch.
How to cite this page
Games Atlas — Games Industry Intelligence (2026). Epic Games makes 23,000-asset Quixel Megascans library permanently free, as AI training terms expand. Published 6 Nov 2026. https://gamesatlas.app/article/epic-games-makes-23000-asset-quixel-megascans-library-permanently-free-as-ai
Megascans goes permanently free, unwinding Quixel's paid model
- The entire 23,000-asset Megascans library now carries no price tag.
- Quixel ran a similar free promotion briefly in 2024 around Fab's launch.
- Epic has removed the time limit that made the 2024 offer temporary.
- Fab asset listings continue updating through November 12 to reflect the change.
Free access plus AI rights lowers the cost of training 3D models
- Updated terms permit using Megascans and Megaplants assets to train AI models.
- Removing the price tag means AI developers acquire the scan data at no cost.
- Epic ties the change to its broader AI integration strategy.
- That strategy already covers disclosed AI plans for Unreal Engine 6 and a new store launcher.
Free proprietary assets squeeze paid 3D marketplaces
- A 23,000-asset proprietary library now competes against paid third-party asset stores at zero cost.
- Access still routes through Fab, Epic's own asset marketplace and launcher.
- That routing keeps studio asset workflows anchored to Fab and Unreal Engine.
What this means
- For Publishers & Developers: Drop paid photoreal scan-library subscriptions from environment-art budgets on Unreal projects.
- For Investors & VC: Discount proprietary scan-data moats when valuing generative 3D and asset-marketplace startups.
- For Service Vendors: Reposition environment-art offers toward stylized and hero assets that free photoreal scans cannot replace.