If you are building a game and need props, characters or environment pieces without a budget, two names come up more than any others: Kenney and Quaternius. Both are rising in search, and both deserve it.
Here is what each is actually good for, and what the licences let you do.
Kenney
Thousands of assets across 3D kits, 2D sprites, UI elements, fonts and audio — all released CC0. Public domain, commercial use, no attribution required.
The strength is breadth and consistency. Whole packs share a visual language, so a platformer kit and a UI pack look like they belong in the same game. For prototyping, game jams and placeholder art that ships, it is unmatched.
The limitation is style. Kenney assets are recognisably Kenney — chunky, clean, low-detail. Ship them unmodified and experienced players will notice.
Quaternius
Also CC0, focused on 3D: characters, animals, nature, vehicles, dungeon and sci-fi kits. Many characters arrive pre-rigged and animated, which is the part people underestimate — a rigged low-poly character with a walk cycle saves a beginner weeks.
The style is stylised low-poly with flat colours, which suits mobile and stylised indie work.
What CC0 Actually Permits
Everything. Use commercially, modify, redistribute, sell games containing them, no credit required. It is the most permissive licence that exists.
Crediting is still good practice and both creators accept donations — but it is a courtesy, not an obligation.
The Trap: Asset Flip Perception
Free assets are fine. Unmodified free assets across an entire game are what players call an asset flip, and it will cost you reviews.
The fix is not avoiding them — it is modifying them. Recolour, rescale, kitbash pieces together, replace the hero assets with your own. Use free packs for the 80% nobody scrutinises and make the 20% they will look at.
Where Else to Look
- Poly Haven — CC0 HDRIs, textures and models, higher fidelity
- ambientCG — CC0 PBR materials
- OpenGameArt — mixed licences, read each one
- The Base Mesh — CC0 base meshes with clean topology to build on
Which Should You Use?
Both. Kenney for breadth, UI and audio; Quaternius when you need rigged characters and creatures. They complement each other more than they compete.
Full list in our 3D resources directory.
