Recommended Free Tools
Artist Fern Hook, who works as Antireal, said she recognized designs from posters she made in 2017 in materials for Marathon. Bungie confirmed that artist decals had been used in the game without authorization, saying a former Bungie artist had included them on a texture sheet. That confirms unauthorized use of decals—not that Marathon’s entire visual style was copied.
What Antireal accused Bungie of copying
Hook raised the issue in May 2025 after seeing Marathon alpha materials. In a report by The Washington Post, she said the game was “covered with assets lifted from poster designs I made in 2017.” That was her description of the apparent similarities, not a court finding that the game as a whole plagiarized her work.
The dispute centered on specific decals and designs she said resembled or reproduced her earlier poster art. The available reporting does not establish that Bungie copied Marathon’s broader visual direction from her work.
What Bungie confirmed
Bungie acknowledged unauthorized use of artist decals. In a statement quoted by Game Informer, the Marathon development team said: “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.”
#1 Best Overall
That is Bungie’s account of how the decals entered the game. The cited reporting does not independently establish the former artist’s intent or what the existing art team knew.
What Bungie said it would do
Bungie said it would review in-game assets associated with the former artist and tighten documentation checks. Its statement said: “To prevent similar issues in the future, we are conducting a thorough review of our in-game assets, specifically those done by the former Bungie artist, and implementing stricter checks to document all artist contributions.” These were measures the company announced at the time; the reports do not independently verify their implementation.
Rank #2
Was the dispute resolved, and was Antireal paid?
In December 2025, Hook said the issue had been resolved with Bungie and Sony Interactive Entertainment to her satisfaction. Game Developer reported her statement: “The Marathon art issue has been resolved with Bungie and Sony Interactive Entertainment to my satisfaction.” The report also said the companies had not publicly disclosed the terms of the resolution. Game Developer therefore does not establish whether she was paid or what other terms were agreed.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.What the later consultant credit and controller report mean
A March 2026 PC Gamer report said Antireal was credited in Marathon as a freelance visual design consultant. The same report mentioned a separate later discovery of her art on a licensed Xbox controller. The available coverage does not explain how that controller use was authorized or establish that it was part of the earlier resolution.
Free tools Windows power users keep installed
One-click scans. No signup required.
Quick Recap
Best Value
Rank #4
Rank #3
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
