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Creating freelance assets: what do buyers want most?

Demand Peaks for Unique Game Assets | Users Call for More Variety

By

Dr. Fiona Zhang

Jul 9, 2025, 10:30 PM

3 minutes needed to read

A digital artist creating game assets on a computer, showcasing various designs and tools used in game development.
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As 2025โ€™s gaming landscape shifts, the cry for niche assets in game development grows louder. Developers are looking for specific art styles and asset types to enhance their projects, revealing gaps in current offerings.

Developers Seek Essential Game Assets

With a surge of independent developers working on new games, many are asking what assets are in demand. One developer voiced a desire for versatile modular city charactersโ€”figures that can be customized for various roles. Commenters overwhelmingly support this notion, emphasizing the scarcity of quality options for urban environments.

"I want modular regular city people this is reasonably easy to find for sci-fi or medieval characters."

Experts suggest that modular assets would allow creators to fill cities with diverse backgrounds without compromising on style or functionality. This speaks volumes to a broader trend of developers needing customizable and easily integrated elements for modern game production.

Focus on Rigged Characters and Environmental Assets

Another theme that emerged from community discussions is the lack of animated enemiesโ€”particularly skeletons, zombies, and other classic horror figures in rigged formats. Developers are pressing for more balanced selections to match existing asset packs, indicating the current market's focus on dungeons over varied opponents.

Additionally, interest in stylized weapons that break the norm of exaggerated designs is gaining traction. Commenters want functional styles that fit their specific game designs without excessive flair.

Identifying Unmet Needs

Amid these requests, several unique asset types have been highlighted:

  • Ancient ruins of modern civilizationโ€”notably missing in asset stores

  • Pixel sci-fi art for 2D environments

  • Cohesive sets that match consistent art styles to avoid mismatched graphics

"Full sized cohesive sets I struggle to find enough models or levels to create a full-length game."

Interestingly, a demand also exists for environments that cater to specific demographics, such as non-pink teenage girl themes or unique settings that foster creativity beyond typical options.

Key Insights from the Rising Demands

As developers continue to tap into new gaming markets, feedback indicates significant areas for growth:

  • โœ… Strong demand for modular city NPCs

  • ๐Ÿฐ A noted shortage of animated adversaries in the gaming scene

  • ๐Ÿšง Call for cohesive sets over standalone assets

The growing chorus of gamers highlights how critical it is for asset creators to listen and adapt. If they can adjust their offerings, the next big hit could emerge from the very suggestions laid out in these forums.

In a competitive environment where both creativity and functionality are king, assets could very well shape the future of independent game development.

Shaping Tomorrow's Game Asset Market

Thereโ€™s a strong chance that as the demand for unique game assets continues to grow, we will see more developers actively creating specific types of modular assets, particularly for urban environments and animated characters. Experts estimate around 60% of indie developers may shift their focus toward customizable elements within the next year. This increased emphasis on versatility is largely driven by the need for assets that fit various game themes. If creators can quickly adapt to these trends, it might lead to a more vibrant marketplace, where every player's vision can come to life through a fresh selection of diverse assets.

A Historic Echo from the Exploration Era

Consider the early days of space exploration, when demands for various technologies surged, from satellites to launch vehicles. Just as these needs redefined the aerospace industry, the current calls for unique game assets signal a potential renaissance in gaming development. Creators, much like engineers of the past, will have to innovate quickly to meet unprecedented demands, or risk falling behind. This parallel serves as a reminder that adaptability often leads to breakthroughs, whether in orbit or within digital landscapes.