Bungie confirmed that decals it described as unauthorized were included in a texture sheet used in Marathon, after artist Fern Hook, who publishes as Antireal, said the game’s alpha featured elements from her 2017 poster designs. Hook later said the dispute was resolved to her satisfaction, but neither side’s reported statements disclosed the terms. The available reporting does not establish a legal finding of infringement or that Bungie leadership knowingly directed the use.
What did Fern Hook allege?
In May 2025, after the Marathon alpha appeared, Hook said its environments were covered with assets lifted from poster designs she had made in 2017. Reporting showed comparisons between her designs and elements on in-game surfaces. That was Hook’s allegation; the cited coverage does not report an independent legal determination that every similar element was copied. Engadget reported the allegation and Bungie’s response, as did GameSpot.
What did Bungie confirm?
In a statement reported on May 16, 2025, Bungie’s Marathon development team said it had “immediately investigated” concerns about unauthorized artist decals and “confirmed that a former Bungie artist included these in a texture sheet that was ultimately used in-game.” The statement attributed the decals’ inclusion to a former artist. It did not say that Bungie leadership knowingly instructed anyone to use Hook’s work.
Bungie said the existing art team did not know about the issue, that it was reviewing how the oversight happened, and that it planned an asset review and stricter documentation checks. It also said it had contacted Hook and was “committed to do right by the artist.” These statements confirm Bungie’s account of unauthorized inclusion; they are not a reported court ruling. GameSpot reported Bungie’s statement and response.
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Was the dispute resolved?
Yes, according to Hook. On December 2, 2025, she said: “The Marathon art issue has been resolved with Bungie and Sony Interactive Entertainment to my satisfaction.” GameSpot and GamesRadar+ reported her statement, but the terms were not disclosed. There is no substantiated public figure for any payment, and it would be speculation to describe the private resolution’s specific terms. GameSpot’s report and GamesRadar+’s report both note the resolution.
What do the later game credit and controller report show?
Marathon credit
March 2026 reporting said Hook appeared in Marathon’s credits as a Visual Design Consultant. That credit is public recognition of a role, but it does not disclose the private resolution’s terms. Push Square reported the credit.
Rank #2
- Four-player madness! - you can't spell Nippon marathon without 'P', 'a', 'R', 'T' And *checks letters* 'I', we suppose... Solo play is supported, but grab up to four pads and enjoy the supreme Silliness of gaming's greatest marathon.
- see all of Japan! - Cross the entirety of the land of Nippon in a series of creative courses spanning busy city streets, village lanes, bustling markets & More! Wacky characters! - Go toe-to-toe with some of the coolest contestants who ever did, player... Contest! Lobster-man J Darwin, onesie-obsessive Elizabeth nishibori, school uniform fan zenbei "xen bae" And the completely normal snuguru Maestro
- epic pratfalls! - swinging poles! Giant face-slapping fish! Cyclists! Shiba Inu! Panes of glass! Traffic! False doors! Barrels! Rolling Beams! Wobbly planks! Flying fruit! More Shiba Inu! Earthquakes!!!!!
- tons of surprises! - you never know what will happen next in Nippon marathon. Perhaps you'll find time for an impromptu spot of slot machine fun Maybe a news anchor will Jet Pack in to Interview you on the racetrack Heck, anything is possible...
- drop-in/drop-out play! - random pedestrian passing by your couch and wants to play Not a problem. Whatever the cause, Hop in and out for the ultimate, flexible party get-together!
Licensed Xbox controller
PC Gamer later reported that Hook spotted her artwork on a licensed Xbox controller in December 2025 and posted “it never ends.” The report does not identify the controller model or establish whether that separate use was authorized, who supplied the art, or whether it was covered by the resolution. It therefore does not, by itself, establish a new act by Bungie. PC Gamer reported the controller claim.
Why does the word “again” appear in coverage?
GameSpot’s May 2025 story summarized earlier reported cases involving fan art in a Destiny 2: The Witch Queen trailer, a Destiny 2 cutscene, and Ace of Spades Nerf merchandise. It reported that Bungie had reached out to affected artists in those cases to apologize, credit, or compensate them. Those are GameSpot’s summaries of separate incidents, not evidence that every case had the same circumstances or outcome. GameSpot’s report provides that prior-case context.
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How does Bungie’s published art policy fit in?
Bungie’s published intellectual-property policy says derivative physical or digital artwork based on Destiny cannot be sold without express permission, and its guidance bars unauthorized merchandise using Bungie intellectual property. That policy describes Bungie’s stated position on its own IP; it is not a legal ruling about the separate Marathon dispute. Bungie’s intellectual-property page.
Quick Recap
Rank #4
- Four-player madness! - You can't spell Nippon Marathon without 'P', 'A', 'R', 'T' and *checks letters* 'I', we suppose… Solo play is supported, but grab up to four pads and enjoy the supreme silliness of gaming's greatest marathon.
- See all of Japan! - Cross the entirety of the land of Nippon in a series of creative courses spanning busy city streets, village lanes, bustling markets & more!
- Wacky characters! - Go toe-to-toe with some of the coolest contestants who ever did, er… contest! Lobster-man J DARWIN, onesie-obsessive Elizabeth Nishibori, school uniform fan Zenbei "Xen Bae" and the completely normal Snuguru Maestro Epic pratfalls! - Swinging poles! Giant face-slapping fish! Cyclists! Shiba Inu! Panes of glass! Traffic! False doors! Barrels! Rolling beams! Wobbly planks! Flying fruit! More Shiba Inu! EARTHQUAKES!!!!!
- Tons of surprises! - You never know what will happen next in Nippon Marathon. Perhaps you'll find time for an impromptu spot of slot machine fun? Maybe a news anchor will jetpack in to interview you on the racetrack? Heck, anything is possible…
- Drop-in/drop-out play! - Random pedestrian passing by your couch and wants to play? Not a problem. Whatever the cause, hop in and out for the ultimate, flexible party get-together!
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