Bungie’s Marathon Loses Art Director Just Months Ahead of Launch

Joseph Cross, the art director for Bungie’s upcoming extraction shooter Marathon, is stepping away just months ahead of the game’s launch. His departure follows the recent announcement of a March 2026 release, which came after an indefinite delay due to mixed feedback from alpha tests. Cross’s exit was hinted at through updates on his LinkedIn and social media, and he confirmed to an outlet that the decision was his own. “I’m super proud of the project and what the team accomplished over the last six years,” he shared, reflecting on his time with the game. After serving as the lead concept artist on Destiny, Cross returned to Bungie in 2020 to help define the visual direction for Marathon. The game aims to stand out with its distinctive aesthetic, which Cross describes as “graphic realism.” Earlier this year, Marathon’s art style sparked controversy when graphic artist Antireal accused Bungie of art theft, tagging both the studio and Cross in a post on X. Bungie responded by stating that the assets in question came from an artist who was no longer with them. Antireal later indicated that the matter was resolved to her satisfaction. Cross has since shared his thoughts on his departure on X, expressing pride in his contributions to Marathon. “Getting support at this scale for something a bit different is rare, and the art team at Bungie is the best in the biz. I’ll be enjoying playing the game as a fan with all of you.” Marathon is set to launch in March 2026 for PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X, priced at $40, matching the cost of its popular rival, Arc Raiders.