As the developer of Destiny 2, Bungie is facing a critical challenge to its reputation following accusations of unauthorized use of artwork in their upcoming game, Marathon. This situation has sparked widespread discussion and concern among the gaming community about the future of the studio.
Last week's allegations led to an "immediate investigation" by Bungie, who acknowledged that a "former Bungie artist" had indeed utilized Fern Hook's artwork without proper compensation or credit. In response, Marathon's game director Joe Ziegler and art director Joe Cross issued an apology during a notably awkward livestream. The broadcast notably avoided showcasing any Marathon art or footage, as the team is currently "scrubbing all of our assets to ensure we are being respectful of the situation."
Since the livestream, the community has been attempting to identify the "former artist" involved, with some expressing feelings of disillusionment. There is also uncertainty about whether Marathon can still achieve success, and what a potential failure could mean for Bungie. One player suggested that without a delay, the game might be "100% DOA" upon its release, potentially resulting in significant financial losses for the studio. "Make no mistake, this is an existential struggle for Bungie at this point," they added.
Another player hypothesized a lukewarm reception for Marathon, predicting a short lifespan for active updates before it enters maintenance mode and eventually shuts down, possibly leading to Bungie's absorption into Sony. A reminder from another community member highlighted the recent failure of Firewalk Studios' Concord, an online hero shooter that was quickly pulled from sale after a disastrous launch, further emphasizing the stakes for Bungie.
Marathon - Gameplay Screenshots
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In another thread, a fan referenced a video summary by Destiny lore YouTuber My Name is Byf, expressing concern for the innocent employees who might be affected if Bungie fails. They voiced a desire to see Bungie make amends with independent artist Antireal and take steps to prevent future incidents, expressing hope for Marathon's success.
Not all potential players are deterred by the controversy, however. One player said they remain excited for the game, viewing the art drama as overblown. Another replied with a perspective on artistic inspiration, suggesting that while direct copying is wrong, the concept of completely original art is debatable.
A supportive message to any Bungie employees reading the discussions emphasized the millions of fans rooting for Marathon's success. Despite this, Forbes reports that the studio is experiencing "chaos" with morale in "free fall." Marathon is scheduled to launch on PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X and S on September 23.
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