Bungie’s highly anticipated sci-fi shooter, Marathon, has recently faced serious accusations of using visual elements from an independent artist’s work without permission. The game, known for its unique blend of dark environments and vibrant colours, has been criticised for allegedly incorporating designs that closely resemble the work of an artist known as Antireal.
According to a post by Antireal on Bluesky, several graphic elements in the game’s alpha test, including a modified version of her logo and a poster featuring repeating icons, appeared almost identical to designs she created back in 2017. The artist shared side-by-side comparisons highlighting the similarities, bringing widespread attention to the matter.
Artist Expresses Frustration Over Unauthorised Use
Antireal stated that although Bungie was under no obligation to employ her for their game, it was disappointing to see her work used without any form of acknowledgement or compensation. She mentioned that instead of reaching out to collaborate or license her designs, the company or its affiliates chose to replicate them without permission.
“I have lost count of the times when a major company finds it easier to pay someone to imitate or steal my work rather than simply contacting me,” she expressed in her post. The artist also noted that she did not have the financial means to pursue legal action, a situation she found deeply frustrating.
Suspicions Around Art Reuse
There are several theories as to how this situation occurred. One possibility is that the artist’s designs were initially used as placeholders during development, intended to be replaced later but mistakenly retained. Another, less favourable possibility is that someone involved in the game’s creation chose to use the designs directly, either knowingly or without understanding the implications.
This is not the first time Bungie has faced criticism for using fan art without proper credit. In 2023, the company was called out for featuring a fan’s work in a major cutscene of Destiny 2. Similarly, in 2024, fan art was used for an Ace of Space Exotic ornament and a NERF gun replica without proper attribution, although Bungie later apologised and compensated the artists in those cases.
Bungie Responds to the Allegations
Following the growing backlash, Bungie issued a statement acknowledging the issue and attributing it to the actions of a former employee. According to the studio, an ex-artist included unauthorised designs in a texture sheet that eventually made it into the final game. The current art team was reportedly unaware of this issue until it was brought to their attention.
Bungie confirmed that it is actively reaching out to Antireal to address the situation and is conducting a comprehensive review of all in-game assets for Marathon. The company emphasised that it takes such matters seriously and that it does not use artists’ work without permission.
Preventive Measures and Ongoing Review
To prevent similar incidents in the future, Bungie has promised a full review of its creative processes, especially focusing on assets created by the former employee in question. The studio has also pledged to introduce stricter measures to ensure that any external art contributions are properly documented and authorised.
“In 10 years, I have never made a consistent income from this work, and I am tired of designers from huge companies moodboarding and parasitising my designs while I struggle to make a living,” Antireal wrote, capturing the frustration of many independent creators who face similar challenges.