Marathon faces plagiarism claims, FY2025 release unchanged

Bungie's Marathon remains on track for its FY2025 launch despite ongoing plagiarism allegations. Discover how the studio is addressing the controversy and what Sony learned from Concord's disappointing performance.

Marathon Maintains FY2025 Release Window

Scheduled Launch Proceeds Despite Controversy

Marathon maintains its planned fiscal year 2025 release despite plagiarism concerns raised against the game. Recent Sony Game & Network Services presentations confirmed Bungie's live-service shooter remains scheduled for this timeframe.

Sony's June 13 corporate briefing highlighted "Strong Early Engagement for Bungie's Bold and Innovative New Title" as a FY2025 priority. While Bungie confirmed a September 2025 release in April, recent controversies have raised questions about the timeline.

The plagiarism claims surfaced when digital artist Fern Hook (ANTIREAL) revealed environmental assets in Marathon's alpha appeared identical to her 2017 poster designs. Documentation shows some artwork even included poorly erased signatures.

Bungie acknowledged the incident, stating: "We immediately investigated concerns regarding unauthorized artist decals in Marathon and confirmed a former employee included these in texture sheets used in-game."

During a May 17 developer stream, Art Director Joseph Cross explained: "An artist incorporated unauthorized elements from a designer's work into decal sheets back in 2020. This unacceptable oversight slipped through our review process."

While Bungie reached out to resolve the dispute, ANTIREAL has declined further comment. Community members note the questionable timeline, as many Bungie artists had followed ANTIREAL's accounts where her work was publicly visible.

With no further public developments, Bungie insists Marathon's release schedule stands. Sony's presentation only confirmed a FY2025 window without specifying exact dates.

Sony Adapts After Concord's Setback

During their Game & Network Services briefing, Sony executives reflected on live-service challenges following Concord's underwhelming launch. SIE Studio Business Group CEO Hermen Hulst emphasized strengthened review processes for future titles.

"For Marathon, we're committed to delivering a bold, innovative experience," Hulst stated. "As Bungie's first original IP in over a decade, we're implementing rigorous testing cycles to ensure its success."

Hulst acknowledged varied feedback but remains confident: "We're optimizing the title's launch potential through iterative testing - crucial for live-service longevity."

With just months until release, Bungie faces heightened scrutiny following Sony's recent live-service challenges. However, leadership expresses optimism about the sci-fi shooter's prospects in the competitive market.

Marathon is scheduled for September 23, 2025 release on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC platforms. For ongoing updates about the game's development, explore our continued coverage below.