Joseph Cross, a veteran artist at Bungie for over a decade, recently announced his departure from the studio. His tenure included a significant role as lead art director for Marathon, Bungie’s first new game in years. Cross and game director Joe Ziegler previously addressed the unauthorized use of artist Antireal’s work during a live stream earlier this year.
Joseph Cross Exits Bungie
Reports suggest that Joseph Cross’s departure was confirmed via his LinkedIn page and a post on X (formerly Twitter). After 14 years with Bungie, Cross steps down only a few months before the anticipated release of Marathon in March 2026. “I’m incredibly proud of the visual world we built for Marathon… Massive thank you to everyone who has supported through all of it.” Cross expressed his pride and gratitude in his farewell message. The departure of Cross marks a significant transition for the team behind Marathon, as the game nears its launch date.
A Legacy at Bungie
Cross’s journey with Bungie began in 2018 as a senior art director. He was a key figure when the studio faced several controversies for using other artists’ works without permission, including incidents from 2021 to 2024. The most recent issue with Antireal has been resolved amicably, with Antireal confirming the matter settled to their satisfaction.
According to reports, Cross stated leaving Bungie was his own decision, expressing pride in the project and the team’s accomplishments over the past six years.