Bungie’s upcoming sci-fi extraction shooter, Marathon, has captured attention with its bold visual style, blending gritty futuristic environments with vibrant, almost retro-futuristic colors. The game’s aesthetic, often described as a fusion of cyberpunk vibes and bold graphic design, feels like a sleek sneaker ad crossed with a dystopian anime. However, recent allegations have cast a shadow over this impressive presentation, as an artist claims that elements of her work from 2017 were used in the game without her consent.
Uncredited Designs in the Spotlight
An artist, known online as antire.al, recently took to social media to highlight similarities between her 2017 poster designs and assets seen in Marathon’s recent alpha test. She pointed out specific examples, including a logo that appears rotated in the game’s environments and a pattern of repeating icons that closely resembles her work, which also surfaced in Marathon’s promotional materials. The artist expressed frustration, noting that while Bungie isn’t obligated to hire her, her designs were evidently used as inspiration without any acknowledgment or compensation. She emphasized the emotional and financial toll of such incidents, stating that large companies often find it easier to replicate her work than to reach out for collaboration.
How Did This Happen?
The inclusion of these designs raises questions about the development process. One possibility is that the assets were intended as temporary placeholders, meant to be replaced before the game’s release but inadvertently left in. Alternatively, it’s possible that someone involved in the project, either at Bungie or an external agency, deliberately used the artist’s work as a reference without proper attribution. This isn’t the first time Bungie has faced such accusations. In previous incidents, fan art was found in Destiny 2 cutscenes and merchandise, leading to apologies and payments to the affected artists. Similarly, another game once borrowed Destiny 2’s icons, only to remove them after backlash.
Bungie’s Response and Commitment
Following the artist’s claims, Bungie issued a statement attributing the issue to a former employee. The studio explained that the uncredited designs were part of a texture sheet created by this individual and used in the game without the current art team’s knowledge. Bungie has since reached out to the artist to address the situation and is conducting a thorough review of Marathon’s assets to prevent future oversights. The studio stressed its commitment to respecting artists’ work, announcing plans to implement stricter checks to ensure all contributions are properly documented and authorized.
The Bigger Picture for Artists
The artist at the center of this controversy shared her exhaustion with the recurring issue of large companies using her work without permission. Despite a decade of refining her unique design style, she struggles to earn a consistent living, while her creations are seemingly “borrowed” by major studios. This situation highlights a broader challenge in the creative industry, where independent artists often lack the resources to pursue legal action against such practices.
Marathon’s Mixed Reception
The recent Marathon alpha test left players impressed with its tight shooting mechanics and immersive sci-fi world, but opinions on its extraction shooter format were divided. The game’s striking environments and worldbuilding remain a standout, though these allegations of uncredited art have slightly dimmed its shine. As Bungie works to resolve this issue, the incident serves as a reminder of the importance of ethical practices in game development, ensuring that the creativity fueling these virtual worlds is fairly recognized and rewarded.