Bungie Confirms Marathon Features Unlicensed Artwork
May 16, 2025 12:10 PMBungie has acknowledged that artwork from an external artist, Fern Hook, was used without permission in the upcoming game Marathon. The issue came to light after the recent playable alpha tests revealed assets resembling Hook's designs from 2017. Bungie responded by confirming that a former artist had used Hook's work without authorization, expressing a commitment to rectify the situation and prevent similar occurrences in the future. This isn't Bungie's first incident involving art plagiarism, as several claims have surfaced regarding Destiny 2 as well.
What is the recent controversy involving Bungie's Marathon game?The controversy arises from Bungie admitting that artwork created by artist Fern Hook was used without permission in Marathon after it was pointed out during alpha testing. Bungie is currently reviewing their asset policies to avoid future issues.
Marathon is a sci-fi first-person shooter originally developed by Bungie in the 1990s and is known for its engaging gameplay and rich lore. The upcoming reboot aims to modernize the franchise while maintaining the core elements that fans loved. Set to release on September 23, 2025, for PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X/S, it has garnered significant attention and anticipation, especially after the controversy surrounding its art assets.
Casey Loh
Casey Loh is a tech-savvy writer who specializes in the intersection of gaming and technology. With a background in computer science, Casey brings a technical lens to her reviews, breaking down the nuts and bolts of game engines, graphics, and AI innovation.
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Miss Peachy commented on: 2025-05-16 12:36:13
Yikes, déjà vu much You’d think Bungie would’ve learned their lesson after Destiny 2, but here we are. At least they’re being transparent—now let’s see if they actually follow through with better practices. Marathon’s still on my radar, but this whole mess is a reminder that studios need to respect artists’ work as much as they hype up their games. Fingers crossed for smoother sailing from here.
Mr. Bison commented on: 2025-05-16 12:24:13
Oof, not a great look for Bungie to have this happen again—you'd think they'd have tighter checks after the Destiny 2 incidents. At least they're owning up to it quickly this time, but artists deserve better than this rinse-and-repeat cycle. Marathon's hype train just hit a speed bump, but hopefully this forces studios to take art integrity more seriously. Still excited for the game, but man, can we get some original assets next time
