Bungie Admits to Using Artist’s Work Without Permission in Marathon
Bungie has admitted to using independent artist Antireal’s work without permission in its upcoming game Marathon. The studio blamed the issue on a former employee, stating a full review of in-game assets is now underway.
The controversy began after Antireal shared side-by-side images on social media, showing striking similarities between her 2017 artwork and graffiti assets in Marathon’s alpha playtest. Bungie’s Marathon dev team responded on Twitter, confirming the use of her art and offering an apology, while claiming steps are being taken to “make things right.”
However, fans are skeptical. Some pointed out that multiple Bungie developers, including Marathon art director Joseph Cross, have followed Antireal online for years. Critics argue the similarities go beyond coincidence and accuse the company of blame-shifting.
This isn’t the first time Bungie has faced plagiarism accusations. In 2023, the company admitted to using uncredited art in a Destiny 2 cutscene. A year later, it was sued by a sci-fi author over alleged story theft. Several of these past cases ended with compensation and in-game credit.
Antireal, meanwhile, shared her frustration on Twitter, saying she can’t afford legal action and has struggled to earn a living from her art. She criticized how large studios often profit from independent artists without consequences.
As Bungie deals with growing backlash, many fans are calling for more accountability from the studio moving forward.
