Bungie's upcoming extraction shooter Marathon has resolved a plagiarism scandal involving artist Antireal. Antireal announced on social media that the issue with Bungie and Sony Interactive Entertainment has reached a satisfactory conclusion. The scandal arose after it was discovered that Antireal's artwork was included in Marathon's Closed Beta without permission. Although speculation remains about the details of the resolution, no further comments have been made by either party. Following the controversy, Bungie has made significant adjustments to the game with a focus on its March 2026 release.

What happened in the Marathon plagiarism scandal?

The Marathon plagiarism scandal involved the unauthorized use of artist Antireal's artwork in the game's Closed Beta. This led to an investigation by Bungie, which ultimately admitted to the mistake and has now resolved the matter to Antireal's satisfaction.

Marathon marks Bungie's return to the extraction shooter genre, promising intense gameplay and a fresh take on team-based combat. The game’s reveal generated excitement among fans, and despite the controversy, developers are determined to deliver a polished experience upon its release in March 2026, reflecting the studio's legacy and commitment to quality. As the launch approaches, updates are expected to clarify the creative direction following the scandal.