The buzz around Bungie’s Marathon was already lukewarm, but recent events have taken a dramatic turn. An artist known as ANTIREAL has leveled serious plagiarism accusations against the studio, alleging that the environments in the recent Marathon alpha test are filled with assets taken from their 2017 poster designs.
Later confirming these claims, Bungie stated, “We immediately investigated a concern regarding unauthorized use of artist decals in Marathon and confirmed that a former Bungie artist included these in a texture sheet that was ultimately used in-game. This issue was unknown by our existing art team, and we are still reviewing how this oversight occurred. We take matters like this very seriously.”
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 expressed their suspicions about the game’s artistic direction but found validation upon discovering direct copies of their work. They remarked, “It was kind of vindicating to see direct plagiarism because it meant I wasn’t crazy for feeling so uncomfortable with the overall direction.” Despite feeling this way, legal action seemed overwhelming due to cost and logistics.
This isn’t Bungie’s first rodeo with allegations of plagiarism. In fact, it’s not even the second or third. Repeated issues raise serious concerns.
Historically, Bungie has faced backlash for unauthorized use of fan art, notably in a trailer for Destiny 2: The Witch Queen and a cutscene in 2023. Additionally, partnerships such as the one with NERF replicated fan designs. These incidents are not mere oversights; they seem repetitive and intentional, with Bungie often issuing apologies and distancing themselves from former employees responsible.
Bungie stated, “To prevent similar issues in the future, we are conducting a thorough review of our in-game assets and implementing stricter checks to document all artist contributions. We value the creativity and dedication of all artists who contribute to our games, and we are committed to doing right by them.”
In a large-scale industry like gaming, mistakes can happen. Yet, this pattern prompts questions about the internal processes at Bungie. Is it truly just the fault of a “former” artist?
Despite a tepid reception for Marathon, some appreciate the art style, now cast into doubt due to these revelations. Whether Bungie is merely careless or creatively reckless, changes are necessary as the studio, purchased by PlayStation for $3.6 billion in 2022, faces scrutiny.
With Marathon set to launch on September 23, game director Joseph Ziegler is scheduled to host an AMA today regarding the game’s alpha. It’s hard to believe these issues won’t come up during the livestream.
How does this affect players and fans of Bungie’s work? The escalating issues may create further distrust among the community, highlighting the need for better practices. It’s crucial for studios to respect and credit artists who lend their talents to enriching the gaming landscape.
As we follow the developing narratives around this game and others, keep exploring similar topics. For more information, resources, and insights, check out Moyens I/O.