The unique visual identity of Marathon sparked significant discussion earlier this year when independent artist Fern Hook, known as Antireal, suggested the studio had utilized her designs without consent. Bungie addressed the matter swiftly, clarifying that a former team member had inadvertently included Hook’s work on a decal sheet used during the game’s internal playtests.
Following a meticulous review of the game’s assets—likely to ensure all proprietary content was removed—Hook confirmed earlier this month that the dispute has been fully resolved to her satisfaction.
During the same window, Bungie shared more concrete details about the project, revealing that Marathon will carry a $40 price tag and feature grim mechanics such as lootable, decaying character remains.
As the studio approaches the 11th anniversary of the original Destiny, former leadership has reflected on the evolving market, noting that the live-service framework isn’t a one-size-fits-all solution. “It is evident that a business model shouldn’t be the primary justification for a game’s existence,” they observed.
