News: Bungie's Marathon Art Direction and the Plagiarism Accusations
✪ Introduction and Background
Marathon, developed by Bungie and owned by Sony, is an upcoming first-person shooter with roots in the 1990s
series, now reimagined as an extraction shooter.
Its closed alpha test in mid-May 2025 drew attention not for gameplay but for plagiarism accusations by independent
artist Fern Hook, known as Antireal or 4nt1r34l. This controversy, has sparked debates about artistic integrity, with
Hook claiming her 2017 designs were used without permission, and Bungie admitting fault but blaming a former employee.
✪ The Accusations
On May 15, 2025, Hook posted on X, stating, "the Marathon alpha released recently and its environments are
covered with assets lifted from poster designs I made in 2017". She shared side-by-side comparisons, showing
in-game graffiti and textures matching her portfolio, including specific elements like the text "ALEPH Dark
Space Hauling Logistics".
Hook, a 30-year-old Scottish artist, relies on freelance work under
ANTIREAL
and music under N2, co-running Superstructure. She expressed frustration, noting, "in 10 years I have never
made a consistent income from this work and I am tired of designers from huge companies moodboarding and
parasitising my designs while I struggle to make a living". She confirmed no direct communication with Bungie,
despite key devs like Joseph Cross following her for years on social media.
Hook's posts gained traction, with community members uncovering more alleged plagiarism, deepening concerns about Marathon's visual integrity. She felt validated by evidence but chose not to pursue legal action due to time, cost, and pressure against Sony, as shared in an interview with The Washington Post.
✪ Bungie's Response
Bungie responded on May 16, 2025, via the MarathonDevTeam X account with the following statement:
"We immediately investigated a concern regarding unauthorized use of artist decals in Marathon and confirmed
that a former Bungie artist included these in a texture sheet that was ultimately used in-game."
"This issue was unknown by our existing art team, and we are still reviewing how this oversight occurred. We
take matters like this very seriously. We have reached out to ANTIREAL to discuss this issue and are committed
to do right by the artist."
During a official Marathon developer livestream (PlayMA), Art Director Joe Cross apologized, noting,
"any improperly sourced material will be removed or replaced with new work made in-house," and emphasized
influences like Swiss typography and cyberpunk visuals.
Bungie committed to auditing assets and implementing stricter checks, with reports on May 17, 2025, confirming
an ongoing review with Sony.
✪ Community Reaction
Support for Hook was evident, with donations helping her financially, as she mentioned being "completely
overwhelmed by the response to this - thank you so much for the support and especially to those who have
donated, it helps enormously".
✪ Implications for the Future
The controversy underscores the need for robust intellectual property protection in gaming. As games like
Marathon rely on visual assets, ensuring originality is crucial, especially with social media amplifying
artist voices.
It highlights challenges for independent artists, with Hook's case illustrating financial and legal barriers.
Bungie's response, including audits and stricter checks, may set a precedent, but the impact on
Marathon's
September 2025 release remains uncertain.