Game developer Bungie is facing scrutiny for its upcoming title, Marathon, as allegations of art theft emerge. Scheduled for release in September, the game has been called out for allegedly using artwork by visual and musical artist Antireal without proper attribution.
On Thursday, Antireal detailed her concerns regarding the game’s recent alpha playtest, noting how its environments feature assets resembling her 2017 poster designs. She provided comparisons between graphics from Marathon and her original work, highlighting the unsettling similarities. Moreover, she pointed out that several Bungie employees, including Joseph Cross, the game’s art director, have followed her on social media for years but never reached out for collaboration.
the Marathon alpha released recently and its environments are covered with assets lifted from poster designs i made in 2017.@Bungie @josephacross pic.twitter.com/0Csbo48Jgb
— N² (@4nt1r34l) May 15, 2025
Antireal addressed the situation directly, stating, “Bungie is of course not obligated to hire me when making a game that draws overwhelmingly from the same design language I have refined for the last decade, but clearly my work was good enough to pillage for ideas and plaster all over their game without pay or attribution.” This raises significant questions about the ethical implications of using another artist’s work without permission.
Following the backlash, Bungie quickly addressed the issue on Thursday night. In a statement, the studio revealed that a former artist had integrated Antireal’s work “in a texture sheet that was ultimately used in-game. This issue was unknown to our existing art team, and we are currently reviewing how this oversight occurred. We’ve reached out to Antireal to discuss this matter and are committed to making it right.”
During a Friday livestream, Cross explained that the former employee inserted Antireal’s art “without permission or acknowledgement” back in 2020. He offered an apology, acknowledging the injustice of the situation and affirming, “There’s no excuse for this oversight. […] I know how unfair this feels, and we’re doing everything we can to rectify it. Her work is fantastic, and we clearly share a mutual appreciation for a specific genre of graphic design.”
#Marathon art director Joseph Cross admits designs were stolen from artist Antireal
• Claims a former Bungie employee was responsible
• Fourth time in recent years Bungie has been accused of plagiarism pic.twitter.com/VC81r5iAw7
— Culture Crave (@CultureCrave) May 16, 2025
As reported by Polygon, Bungie has faced similar accusations in the past, including incidents of using fan-made artwork without consent in marketing materials and even cutscenes for Destiny 2. The studio has previously taken steps to rectify these situations by obtaining permissions and compensating artists. For Marathon, Cross mentioned that they are conducting a more thorough review of in-game assets and will remove any art found to be “questionably or inappropriately sourced” from the alpha build, recreating it in-house.
As of now, Marathon is still set to launch on September 23 for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC. The situation raises critical questions about artistic integrity and the responsibility of studios to respect the work of independent creators.
What does this case teach us about copyright in the creative industry? Copyright laws are vital for protecting artists and their work, emphasizing the importance of proper attribution. If you’re considering a creative career, understanding these laws can be crucial to your success.
Why is it essential for game developers to credit artists? Crediting artists not only respects their contributions but also fosters a community of collaboration and trust in the creative industry. Developers who prioritize this practice create more robust and innovative games.
How can artists protect their work from being stolen? Artists should establish clear copyright on their work, utilize watermarks, and engage in community discussions surrounding intellectual property rights to safeguard their creations from misuse.
If you want to stay updated on this evolving situation and learn more about industry dynamics, visit Moyens I/O for in-depth articles and insights.