Depending on their purpose, there are different types of 3D models. To give just a few examples, some are intended for 3D printing, some for animation, and some for video games.
The main difference between these model types is the way they’re optimized to serve their purpose. Although the software itself that’s used for their creation can sometimes be the same, it’s the stuff behind the scenes of the models that heavily dictates their intended use.
At a quick glance, you might think that 3D models for games and animation are very similar, but the truth is quite the opposite.
Popular game engines host their own marketplaces that consist of various assets for game development, including 3D models. Other sources for 3D models that are suitable for use in games include sites that operate as dedicated online model repositories.
In this article, we’ll go over our picks for best sources for game 3D models, but before we jump into them, let’s dive a little deeper.
What Makes 3D Game Models Different?
3D models consist of polygons, which are 2D shapes with straight edges. The greater the polygon count for a 3D model, the better the quality. A 3D model with a low poly count has a rough surface without much detail, while a highly detailed model with smooth surfaces most certainly has a high poly count.
It’s very important to know how some models will look on screens, like animation 3D models used in movies. No one likes to watch a bad-quality movie, especially an animated one. For this purpose, 3D designers create highly detailed 3D models, consisting of a large number of polygons.
While video games might seem similar to animated movies, they’re not. Visually, sure, but technically, there’s one big difference: video games are rendered in real time, as you play. The graphics still need to be on a high level, to ensure an enjoyable gaming experience. However, it takes a lot of processing power to render such high-poly models in real time.
Since game developers are limited mainly by the engine used for game development and the hardware that will later run the game, they need to find compromises with the 3D models.
Movie creators can afford to use high-poly models because movies are pre-rendered. Games, however, need to follow a different path. To ensure that the game will still run smoothly and present good graphics, game 3D models usually have a smaller and variable number of polygons. For example, when a player approaches something, that something will be rendered in high quality, but once the player gets that object out of plain sight, the number of polygons on that model decreases, ensuring that the hardware can handle the rest of the game.
Another popular practice for game 3D models is the use of textures. When poly count has to be reduced, textures are a great way of maintaining a sharp visual appearance. For all these reasons, game 3D models have a slightly different nature than, say, animation 3D models.
Now that we’ve gone over general considerations, let’s take a closer look at how we made our picks.
What To Look For
To make sure our options will prove themselves worthy of looking at, we’ve kept the following in mind:
- Selection: Quality over quantity, or vice versa? Either way, we included sites that offer a balance of both.
- Quality: Game development requires 3D models for prototyping and end use. Whatever the purpose, models need to be correctly optimized for the purpose.
- Pricing: High-end game models can be rather pricy, but we made sure the presented sources offer both affordable and high-end stuff.
- Special features: In case a certain site has a feature worth highlighting, we’ll do so in the dedicated section for each source.
With that in mind, let’s take a look at some of the very best sources for game 3D models.
3DRT
3DRT is an online 3D model marketplace aimed specifically towards indie game developers. In case that piece of terminology sounds unfamiliar, it basically refers to smaller development teams or individuals without significant funding for the extensive professional game development process.
Although the site’s user interface (UI) looks a little dated, it’s functional and very easy to use. Models are spread across a few categories such as characters, vehicles, environment, fantasy, sci-fi, and realistic. Each model is available in several formats, and a brief description gives additional information.
Considering the pricing is kept under $20 for all models (with bundles and kits of a variety of designs for a slightly higher price) 3DRT is perfectly suited for its targeted audience.
- Selection: Close to 300 models, including bundles and kits
- Quality: Amateur
- Pricing: ∼$20
- Special features: N/A
Unity Asset Store
Unity is a popular game engine for developing games in 2D, 3D, and VR form. Game development involves the use of many assets, which include characters, objects, sound effects, maps, and environments, among others. To make things easier for their users, there’s a dedicated marketplace for assets suited for use in Unity: the Unity Asset Store.
Without a doubt, the Unity Asset Store is one of the strongest game assets marketplaces when it comes to the number of assets available, but it’s also great because of its community.
As the site claims, Unity Asset Store is supported by more than 100,000 forum members. Furthermore, there are a few thousand 3D models available through the store. Several categories and other filtering options make for easy searching, and all 3D models offered in the Unity Asset Store can be used for commercial purposes.
The UI is modern and user friendly, which is something you’d expect from Unity. As far as places where creators can either buy or sell game development assets go, Unity Asset Store is surely worth looking into. Chances are you’ll find exactly what you’re after.
- Selection: One of the biggest in its market
- Quality: Amateur and professional
- Pricing: Depending on both quality and quantity, prices range from just a few dollars to bundles priced at over $400
- Special features: N/A
CryEngine Marketplace
CryEngine is another game engine, and just like Unity has its marketplace, CryEngine has one, too. Upon selecting the category “3D Model”, a total of 80 results appear.
Compared to the Unity Asset Store, the number of available models is clearly far off. However, we decided to feature CryEngine’s marketplace since the models on offer are of high quality and rather unique. From cool vehicles, tools, and bungalows to space objects, rocks, and trees, CryEngine hosts a wide variety of models.
The UI lets you easily select a category of assets your looking for. Under the category “3D Model”, there’s a number of sub-categories to further specify the search. Therefore, you can narrow down your search to include “Aircraft”, “Architecture”, “Food”, and “Spacecraft”, among others. This makes it very easy to find what you’re looking for.
We loved this site thanks to its unique model selection and effortless searching due to sub-categories.
- Selection: 80 models
- Quality: Amateur and professional
- Pricing: Free
- Special features: Sub-categories help a lot when searching
Unreal Engine Marketplace
Unreal Engine is a powerful game engine developed by Epic Games. Naturally, it has its own marketplace, just like Unity and CryEngine.
Considering it’s a marketplace dedicated to a game engine, there are many types of assets present. While there could be more search flexibility when finding 3D models, the search bar saves the day.
The models themselves are of high quality, and there are many available. If you’re using the Unreal engine, this site is a must to check out.
It’s also worth pointing out that ArtStation, the portfolio hosting platform for digital artists, was acquired by Epic Games in April 2021. ArtStation will continue to operate as an independent platform, but it will be collaborating closely with the Unreal Engine team. This will hopefully result in higher quality assets in greater quantities, but also reduced pricing.
- Selection: Thousands of characters and environments
- Quality: Professional
- Pricing: Free to $250
- Special features: Search filtering by specific discounts helps find deals quicker
Sketchfab
Sketchfab is a popular online platform for buying and selling 3D models. As a whole, it’s truly a brilliant site, and here’s why: Not only is the model selection quite large, but the functionality of Sketchfab’s UI takes the experience to the next level.
For example, models can be previewed in VR mode. If you’ve got a VR headset for a PC or a mobile accessory like Google Cardboard, Sketchfab will let you take a closer look at the models that way. Also, there’s an inspection mode that lets you play with maps and wireframes.
The menus are very well laid out, and the search filter options allow you to search for rigged and animated models, as well as entering a desired poly-count.
For games, we suggest you select the “Low poly” category under “Buy 3D Models” since they’re best suited for use in game development. Note that before downloading the models, you’ll need to create an account first.
- Selection: Quite large
- Quality: Mostly professional
- Pricing: $3 to $400
- Special features: Search filtering by poly-count, rigged, and animated
FlatPyramid
FlatPyramid is an online marketplace with more than 100,000 3D models. Among multiple categories, there’s a section devoted to 3D models optimized for video game engines of the latest generation. You’ll find cars, characters, animals, weapons, buildings, and lots of other stuff as well.
While we generally like the layout of the site, there’s a noticeable lack of filtering tools. Apart from simple sorting based on high and low pricing and the time of upload, there’s no other functionality such as specifying the price range.
Despite the lack of some filtering tools, the models on offer are of good quality and they’re reasonably priced. Therefore, FlatPyramid is definitely worthy of a visit.
- Selection: 263 optimized models
- Quality: Amateur and professional
- Pricing: $1 to $400
- Special features: 3D modeling service
TurboSquid
TurboSquid is a well-known 3D model marketplace. As claimed on their website, you can find 3D models for VFX studios, game developers, architects, ad agencies, VR/AR projects, and more.
Although there isn’t a specific category dedicated to game 3D models, you can filter the search results in a number of ways. Users can search for a specific file format, enter the poly count, or search for animated as well as rigged models, among other options.
Game models mostly come in either FBX or 3DS formats, so that’s one of the ways to search for 3D models suited for use in game development. You can also select the category “Low Poly Models”, which will reveal some 3D models also suited for use within game engines.
Considering that TurboSquid is a popular marketplace, there’s a great variety of models there. The total amount is measured in thousands, so you’ll definitely be able to find something.
- Selection: A few thousand models
- Quality: Amateur and professional
- Pricing: $1 to $1,000+ (for collections)
- Special features: Users can enter the desired poly count into the search filter
CGTrader
Just like TurboSquid, CGTrader is another big name in the niche market that is online 3D models. As you’d expect, there are multiple model categories, but the most important for game 3D models is the “low poly” category – even the site itself notes that the models in the low poly category are a perfect match for making games.
On CGTrader, you can find sets for environments, props, and objects, or complete 3D model collections, bundles, and packs can be bought with everything your game might need.
License: The text of "Game 3D Models: The Best Sites" by All3DP is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.