We, the undersigned, urge Epic Games to reinstate the Unreal Engine Marketplace or substantially reform the FAB platform. The transition to FAB has been marred by significant setbacks, eroding the trust and confidence of Unreal Engine developers and users.

Key Issues with FAB:

FAB Pro License

The introduction of the FAB Pro License has drawn comparisons to Unity's heavily criticized Runtime Fee. This monetization model undermines developers’ trust and places undue financial burdens on creators, further alienating an already frustrated community. Such a model risks stifling innovation and should be reconsidered or removed altogether.
Inferiority to the Unreal Engine Marketplace

While the Unreal Engine Marketplace had its flaws, it provided core functionality that is glaringly absent in FAB. Users have noted that FAB’s usability is even worse than the clunky old system, with critical tools like live updates, asset reviews, wishlists, and Q&A sections missing. These limitations make it harder for developers to evaluate assets and connect with their audience effectively.

Loss of Sales and Downloads

Since FAB’s launch, developers have reported a drastic decrease in downloads and sales. Assets once thriving on the Unreal Engine Marketplace now face reduced visibility or are lost amidst the platform’s inefficiencies. Many creators depend on this revenue, and the financial instability caused by the transition has been devastating.

Copyrighted and Low-Quality Content

The integration with Sketchfab has flooded FAB with copyrighted material, stolen assets, bloatware, and AI-generated "art." This lack of moderation not only dilutes the quality of offerings but also creates legal and ethical concerns. Legitimate developers are finding their work overshadowed by these low-effort or stolen assets, further diminishing their sales and discouraging participation.

Bugs and Transparency Issues

Persistent technical problems, such as missing historical sales data and unresponsive tools, frustrate creators. Moreover, the lack of transparency about the platform's future and how Epic plans to address these issues exacerbates user discontent.

Call to Action:

We implore Epic Games to:

- Remove or radically reform the FAB Pro License to ensure it is fair and sustainable for developers.

- Restore critical functionalities from the Unreal Engine Marketplace, including asset reviews, Q&A sections, and effective moderation.

- Address the influx of copyrighted and low-quality content to protect legitimate creators and uphold the platform’s integrity.

- Provide clear communication and timely resolutions to technical and sales-related issues.

Epic Games must prioritize rebuilding trust with its community by listening to developers and delivering a platform that supports innovation, creativity, and fairness.