It’s clear that Bungie has encountered a tough week. Recently, the studio behind Marathon acknowledged its use of artwork created by independent artist Antireal in its new extraction shooter without any credit or compensation. The studio attributed this to a ‘former Bungie artist’ and expressed its intent to perform a ’thorough review’ of the game’s assets. This incident isn’t unprecedented, as Bungie has previously admitted to utilizing external art on at least three occasions.

In the wake of an unsatisfactory response to the initial closed alpha version of Marathon, the overall sentiment around both the game and the studio seems quite grim. Reports from Forbes suggest that morale at Bungie is plummeting, with an insider remarking, “The vibes have never been worse.”

Employees, both current and past, shared insights into the internal atmosphere at Bungie, echoing concerns regarding the ongoing art theft issue alongside fears of what might happen if Marathon fails commercially. Plans regarding marketing the game have reportedly unraveled, with previously scheduled promotional content now suspended. Concerns have also arisen about the leadership’s approach, with calls for changes in design direction being ignored by the management. Furthermore, many within Bungie feel the need for a PvE (Player versus Environment) component in Marathon due to the identified weaknesses in the current design approach.

As Marathon approaches its release date, pressures and expectations continue to build, raising doubts about its potential success.