Bungie’s Marathon Is ‘Plastered’ With Stolen Art, Artist Says

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Summary

  • Bungie accused of plagiarism in upcoming Marathon reboot for copying artwork without credit.
  • Artist provides damning evidence, claiming that the sci-fi shooter is riddled with her original designs.
  • Plagiarism allegations may undermine Marathon’s potential success and highlight ethical concerns in AAA development.

Critics are accusing Bungie of potentially copying an artist’s work in the development of their upcoming remake of Marathon, and there’s already plenty of visual proof being shared online.

A freelance artist identified as @antireal expressed concerns on platform X, claiming that Bungie had copied her unique artwork and incorporated it into the closed alpha of Marathon without giving credit, seeking permission, or compensating her. She believes that numerous elements in the sci-fi shooter are direct copies from her 2017 poster series, which she describes as being heavily plastered with designs taken straight from her work.

The strong assertion is backed up by undeniable evidence – a sequence of contrasting visuals that, to be honest, are difficult to overlook.

Marathon’s Art Similarities Are Sparking A Storm

marathon-runner-sprinting.jpg

During Marathon’s closed alpha testing, several images closely mirror the artist’s initial poster designs. The shared elements range from color schemes and arrangement to precise linework details, suggesting a connection that extends beyond mere chance.

She expressed her astonishment in a message, saying: “I’m utterly amazed,” she wrote. “This is my main source of income. I sell these posters online. They’re not some rare, obscure pieces. It seems more convenient for a large corporation to hire a designer to replicate or trace the work instead of licensing or commissioning the original.

The images being shared on social media seem to showcase very similar visual aspects in the ‘alpha’ version, with regard to their framing, design structure, and even color schemes.

Currently, Bungie has yet to release an official comment, however, posts tagged “Bungie accused of plagiarism… once more” are rapidly spreading on social media platforms, generating significant attention, particularly in light of the company’s recent spate of negative publicity.

Recently, a federal judge refused to dismiss Bungie’s copyright lawsuit concerning the Red War campaign in Destiny 2. Now, another claim has surfaced, this time backed by visual proof and a genuine artist openly expressing concerns.

Some supporters advocate that Bungie should directly compensate the artist in question. Meanwhile, others are criticizing the wider gaming industry practice, where AAA studios often set demanding deadlines while subtly relying on inspiration from freelance artists. Unfortunately, many of these creators lack the legal or financial resources to challenge this situation.

It’s not just about a single picture or a popular character appearing somewhat similar. Marathon is Bungie’s spiritual re-imagining of their pre-Halo first-person shooter, intended to be a cornerstone franchise. Being ensnared in copying accusations at this juncture could significantly undermine that momentum, both among the community and potential partners.

Marathon is an important project for Bungie, a reinvention of their old FPS games. If they get accused of copying someone else’s work now, it could hurt their reputation and make it harder to find partners in the future.

Additionally, it highlights a decline in moral principles related to creativity within AAA studios. These companies are letting go of entire teams, farming out crucial elements, and spreading thin the resources of fewer designers across multiple ventures. Amidst this turmoil, accountability and quality assurance can sometimes become obscured.

The situation could have been prevented, but unfortunately, it wasn’t. Antireal’s posters have been available for sale online and have circulated among design communities for years. If Bungie or one of its contractors did indeed use her work as inspiration for Marathon’s visuals, their choice was not simply careless. It was a deliberate decision.

Marathon launches on Xbox Series X/S on September 23, 2025.

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2025-05-16 01:38