Whether you are prototyping a new idea or shipping a small indie game, free assets can save time and keep costs down. The catch is knowing where to look and which sources are reliable. This list covers 20 go-to places for free game assets: sprites, 3D models, UI kits, sound effects, and music. Most are CC0 or permissive licenses so you can use them in personal and commercial projects.
Use this as a bookmark list. Mix and match from different sources to keep your game from looking like every other asset-flip; a consistent art direction matters more than where the art came from.
1. Kenney.nl
Kenney offers a huge library of 2D and 3D assets under CC0 (public domain). You get character sprites, tile sets, UI elements, sound effects, and music. Everything is clean, consistent in style, and free for any use. Great for jam games and placeholders. Download individual packs or grab the big "Game Assets" bundles.
Best for: 2D/3D placeholders, UI, sound, and music in one place.
2. OpenGameArt.org
OpenGameArt is a community-driven archive. You will find sprites, textures, music, and sound effects from many contributors. Licenses vary (CC0, CC-BY, GPL); always check the license per asset. Quality ranges from rough to professional. Use the filters to narrow by license, format, and game type.
Best for: Variety and niche assets; always verify the license.
3. itch.io Asset Packs
itch.io hosts thousands of free asset packs. Filter by "free," then by 2D, 3D, audio, or tools. Many packs are CC0 or CC-BY. Styles range from pixel art to low-poly 3D. Support creators by leaving a rating or paying what you want when you can.
Best for: Stylized packs and one-off themes; read each pack's license.
4. Unity Asset Store (Free Section)
The Unity Asset Store has a free section with models, scripts, and tools. Not everything is royalty-free for all platforms; check the license. Useful for Unity-specific setups like character controllers and VFX. Combine with external art for a unique look.
Best for: Unity-ready scripts and systems; supplement with art from elsewhere.
5. Craftpix
Craftpix offers free 2D game art packs (sprites, tiles, UI) alongside paid products. Free packs often require an account. Licenses are usually standard commercial use with attribution. Good for polished 2D art when you want something beyond placeholder style.
Best for: Polished 2D sprites and tiles; check attribution requirements.
6. Game-Icons.net
Game-Icons.net has thousands of CC-BY icons suitable for UI, items, and abilities. SVG and PNG. Use as-is or recolor to match your game. Great for inventory, skill trees, and HUD elements without drawing from scratch.
Best for: UI and icon sets; attribution required.
7. Freesound.org
Freesound is a database of Creative Commons sound effects and short clips. Search by tag, license, and duration. Many sounds are CC0 or CC-BY. Quality varies; listen before you commit. Essential for prototyping and finding that one impact or ambient loop.
Best for: Sound effects and short ambiences; always check license and credit.
8. Mixkit (Music and Sound)
Mixkit provides free stock music and some sound effects. License is permissive for most projects. Tracks are full-length and usable in games and trailers. Browse by mood and genre. Pair with Freesound for SFX.
Best for: Background music and trailer tracks.
9. Quaternius (3D Low-Poly)
Quaternius offers free low-poly 3D packs (characters, props, environments) under CC0. Models are in FBX and other common formats. Stylistically consistent and lightweight. Ideal for mobile or stylized 3D games.
Best for: Low-poly 3D characters and props; Unity and Godot friendly.
10. Poly Pizza
Poly Pizza (and similar low-poly libraries) host CC0 low-poly 3D models. Good for blockouts and simple art direction. Export to FBX or OBJ and bring into your engine. Keep poly count in mind for mobile.
Best for: Quick 3D placeholders and low-poly scenes.
11. Lospec
Lospec is known for pixel-art palettes and tools. The palette list helps you keep a consistent color scheme. You will also find free pixel-art assets and tutorials. Useful for 2D pixel projects and learning pixel art constraints.
Best for: Pixel-art palettes and style consistency.
12. Pixel Art Maker and Aseprite (Tools)
While Aseprite is paid, it is the standard for pixel animation. Free alternatives include LibreSprite (Aseprite fork) and browser-based editors. Pair with free sprite sheets from Kenney or OpenGameArt to learn animation. For a full pipeline, see our sprite animation basics guide.
Best for: Creating and editing pixel art and sprite sheets.
13. Blender (3D)
Blender is free and open source. Use it to make 3D models, animate, and export to Unity or Godot. The learning curve is steep but the cost is zero. Many free tutorials and add-ons exist. For a clean pipeline, see Blender to game engine export practices.
Best for: Creating and editing 3D assets from scratch.
14. Incompetech (Music)
Incompetech by Kevin MacLeod offers royalty-free music under CC-BY. Huge catalog by genre and mood. Attribution required (usually in credits). Reliable for game jams and indie projects.
Best for: Royalty-free background music with clear attribution rules.
15. Humble Bundle and Fanatical (Temporary Free / Cheap)
Humble Bundle and Fanatical sometimes run game-dev bundles with asset packs and tools at low cost. Not always free, but you can pick up professional packs for a few dollars. Check licenses; they are often full commercial use.
Best for: Occasional high-value packs at low cost.
16. GitHub (Code and Data Assets)
GitHub hosts open-source game tools, shaders, and data-driven assets (e.g. JSON for dialogue or items). Search for "game assets," "unity free," or "godot assets." Code and data are usually MIT or similar. Combine with art from the sources above.
Best for: Scripts, shaders, and data; not primary art.
17. Unreal Marketplace (Free)
The Unreal Engine Marketplace has a free section each month. Assets are for use in Unreal. If you are on Unity or Godot, you may still grab concepts or reference; for direct use, stick to engine-agnostic or Unity/Godot packs.
Best for: Unreal-specific content and monthly free picks.
18. Asset Forge (Low-Poly 3D)
Asset Forge (by Kenney) is a tool for building low-poly 3D assets from blocks. There is a free version. Export to OBJ or FBX. Good for quick props and environment pieces without full 3D modeling.
Best for: Quick low-poly 3D props without learning Blender first.
19. Google Fonts and Font Squirrel (UI Text)
Google Fonts and Font Squirrel offer free fonts. Many are suitable for in-game UI and subtitles. Check each font's license for commercial use and embedding. Keeps your menus and HUD readable and on-brand.
Best for: UI and menu typography.
20. Your Own Placeholders and Iteration
Do not underestimate simple placeholders: colored cubes, basic shapes, and one-note sounds. They let you test mechanics and scope before committing to art. As you lock the design, replace them with assets from this list or commission work. For more on scope and finishing, see our first game scope and game development resources roundups.
Best for: Early prototyping and avoiding over-investment in art too soon.
How to Use Free Assets Without Looking Generic
- Stick to one or two art styles (e.g. one pixel size, one color palette).
- Recolor or tweak assets so they match your game's palette.
- Combine sources (e.g. Kenney UI + OpenGameArt characters) instead of one mega-pack.
- Credit and attribute where the license requires it; keep a credits file from day one.
- Replace over time as you get budget; use free assets to ship, then upgrade key art.
FAQ
Can I use free assets in commercial games?
Yes, if the license allows it. CC0 means no restrictions. CC-BY means you must credit the author. Always read the license per asset or pack.
Where do I put attribution?
In your game's credits screen and, if required, in the store page or readme. A short "Assets by [Name], [URL]" is usually enough.
Why does my game look like other games?
If you use the same popular packs as everyone else, it will. Mix packs, recolor, and add your own art for key characters and scenes so the game feels yours.
Do I need to learn 3D or pixel art?
Not necessarily. You can ship with curated free assets. Learning basics (e.g. sprite animation, simple 3D) helps you adapt and combine assets better.
Are free assets good enough for Steam?
Yes. Many successful indies use free or mixed assets. Polish, consistency, and gameplay matter more than whether every asset was custom-made.
Bookmark this list and revisit it when you start a new project or need a specific type of asset. For more structured learning, check out our game development courses and guides. Found this useful? Share it with your team or community so others can ship without blowing the art budget.