Epic sells ArtStation and Sketchfab to KitBash
3D art platforms change hands, sparking hope and criticism among creators
Epic Games announced the sale of the ArtStation and Sketchfab platforms to the company KitBash, generating intense debate among millions of digital artists who use these services to showcase portfolios and sell 3D assets.
What motivated Epic's sale
The decision allows Epic to focus its attention on developing Unreal Engine 6, the Fortnite title, the Epic Games Store, and the developer ecosystem that supports it.
Who takes over the platforms
KitBash, responsible for the KitBash3D and Greyscalegorilla services, became the new owner of ArtStation and Sketchfab. The group states that the acquisition creates a broader ecosystem that covers the entire creative process, from training to publishing.
“KitBash has been part of the creative community for over a decade, and we know firsthand how central ArtStation and Sketchfab are to artists and 3D creators around the world,” said Banks Boutté, co-CEO of KitBash.
What changes for artists
According to official statements, there will be no immediate changes to access or usage of the platforms. Portfolios, libraries, and workflows remain unchanged, as do intellectual property rights, which continue to belong to the creators.
Subscription pricing and the ability to sell 2D/3D assets and prints remain the same, and integration with KitBash3D and Greyscalegorilla will be carried out carefully.
Community reactions
Users celebrate the change. A participant in the r/ArtStation subreddit wrote: “Free from Epic and their love of AI slop. That’s some good news I hope.” Another added: “I have no faith in Epic Games, it is genuinely impressive how they manage to fuck‑up everything they touch.” A third commented: “I am very happy that 2 of my favorite websites on the internet are not under their control anymore.”
ArtStation also responded, saying: “We’ve heard from a lot of artists today, including many who have stepped away from ArtStation and are hopeful about what this next chapter could mean. We’re listening. There’s trust to earn, a lot to learn, and important work ahead. The feedback we’re hearing from artists matters.”
Outlook for the future
KitBash highlighted that its priority is to protect the trust built by users, listen to their needs, and develop the platforms responsibly. While it is still unclear how the integration between KitBash3D, Greyscalegorilla, ArtStation, and Sketchfab will evolve, the promise of continuity and support for the creative process keeps artists attentive to the next chapter.
With information from Creative Bloq, Kotaku.
Source: Creative Bloq, Kotaku