Epic Games has sold ArtStation and Sketchfab to KitBash3D, the company behind the KitBash3D and Greyscalegorilla 3D asset platforms. The financial terms were not disclosed.
The transaction changes ownership of two major creative marketplaces that Epic acquired in 2021. ArtStation has around 10 million registered users, and the most vocal response from its artist community has been strongly positive.
For creators who follow the wider arcade and gaming news landscape, the change is particularly relevant to the artists who design characters, environments and digital assets for games.
What the ownership change means
Epic Games, KitBash3D and ArtStation announced the sale separately on August 10, 2026. Epic’s post framed the decision around its priorities: Unreal Engine 6, Fortnite, the developer ecosystem and the Epic Games Store.
ArtStation’s own statement focused on continuity for users. It said portfolios, libraries and core workflows would continue operating as they do now, with no changes to how creators access or use ArtStation and Sketchfab.
KitBash3D says the combined platforms will support artists throughout the creative process, from developing initial ideas to publishing work and building professional careers. The company now brings together asset libraries with ArtStation’s portfolio and discovery tools.
Artists react to the sale
Some artists see the move away from Epic Games as an opportunity for ArtStation to regain trust. One user expressed hope that the service could return to its former strength and reduce the amount of AI-generated material appearing in its marketplace.
That concern has been building since Epic bought the platforms. Artists have complained that AI art and assets were overwhelming genuine work and, in some cases, being used to mislead prospective customers.
Discussion on the ArtStation subreddit was similarly upbeat. One commenter described the platform as being free from Epic Games and its perceived enthusiasm for low-quality AI material. Another said they had little confidence in Epic’s management and welcomed the fact that two favourite websites were no longer under its control.
ArtStation says feedback will shape the next chapter
ArtStation followed its announcement with an August 11, 2026 message saying that artists’ voices would be important to its future direction. The platform said it was listening and recognised that it had trust to rebuild, lessons to learn and substantial work ahead.
ArtStation said the feedback it was receiving from artists mattered and that the company was hopeful about what the next chapter could bring.
The sale does not, by itself, change the platform’s stated day-to-day operation. Its longer-term success will depend on how KitBash3D responds to creator concerns, including the visibility of human-made work and the handling of AI-generated content.
Those issues also matter to independent game makers and digital artists working on DIY arcade projects, cabinet artwork and other interactive creations. Readers interested in the broader hardware and creative side of the industry can explore RETROCADE’s arcade videos and editorial coverage.
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