Bungie’s much-anticipated shooter, Marathon, was already drawing plenty of attention for its bold cyberpunk aesthetic and competitive focus. But after a recent closed alpha, the game now finds itself at the center of a growing controversy. British artist Antireal claims Marathon’s visual design lifts extensively from her original 2017 work-without credit or compensation. With Bungie yet to respond, the issue raises tough questions about creative ownership in the games industry.
Marathon’s closed alpha ran from April 23 to May 4, offering players their first hands-on time with Bungie’s reboot of this cult FPS franchise. And while players debated the game’s direction, sharp-eyed fans and Antireal herself noticed striking similarities between the game’s environments and designs she created years ago. The artist took to social media, publicly accusing Bungie of copying her signature visual language-including motifs, text, and even her logo design—without permission.
| Feature | Specification |
|---|---|
| Publisher | Bungie |
| Release Date | TBA |
| Genres | First-Person Shooter, Multiplayer, Sci-Fi |
| Platforms | PC, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S |
Antireal provided side-by-side comparisons showing nearly identical patterns, logo flips, and the direct reuse of her “Aleph” inscription. She wrote, “The Marathon alpha recently came out and its environments are covered in assets taken from poster designs I created in 2017.” Her frustration was palpable: “Apparently my work was good enough to be used everywhere in the game, just not enough to be paid or credited.”
This isn’t the first time the industry has faced such accusations. Antireal acknowledged the difficulty of pursuing legal action, admitting, “I don’t have the resources or energy to sue,” and lamented a decade-long pattern of companies opting to imitate or outright use her designs without so much as an email. The controversy echoes a 2023 incident in which Bungie was criticized for using fan art in Destiny 2 cinematics without initial credit—though in that case, the studio eventually apologized and compensated the artist.
For Marathon, the timing couldn’t be worse. The game was aiming to rejuvenate Bungie’s reputation after a relatively quiet year for PlayStation Studios and the high-profile struggles of Concord, another live-service project. Now, instead of anticipation for September, the conversation has shifted to ethical practices and the burden placed on artists defending their work.
While Bungie has yet to make an official statement, history suggests the studio may ultimately address the situation—as it did with past artist disputes. But the damage to Marathon’s pre-launch buzz is tangible. For many, the case is a stark reminder of how quickly a “unique” style can turn into a PR minefield when the lines of inspiration and imitation blur.
With no release date set and Bungie’s silence growing louder, the road ahead for Marathon looks uncertain. Will the studio take steps to recognize Antireal’s contribution—or will this become yet another cautionary tale in the fraught relationship between big studios and independent artists?
TL;DR: Bungie’s Marathon, set to launch on PC, PS5, and Xbox Series X|S, is under fire after UK artist Antireal accused the studio of using her 2017 designs without credit or payment. The controversy, sparked during the game’s closed alpha, raises fresh debates about artist rights and industry ethics, with Bungie yet to respond publicly.
Source: Bungie via GamesPress