Here’s some positive news ahead of the weekend: the artist whose work was used in the game Marathon without authorization has now been recognized as a visual design consultant following the game’s launch.

For context, in May of last year, artist Fern “Antireal” Hook shared an extensive analysis detailing where their artwork appeared in the initial Closed Beta of Marathon. In response, developer Bungie initiated an investigation, which confirmed that Antireal’s art had indeed been incorporated into the game’s development.

Eventually, in December, a resolution was reached, with Antireal stating that the “Marathon art issue has been resolved to my satisfaction” with both Bungie and Sony Interactive Entertainment. While specifics were not disclosed at that time, it appears part of the agreement involved bringing Antireal on board as a freelancer to contribute to Marathon’s development. A screenshot reveals that Antireal’s name now appears in the game’s credits, listed as a visual design consultant.

The precise nature of Antireal’s contributions remains unclear, as it is unknown whether they played a role in the game’s development beyond the prior use of their art. Nonetheless, it is a commendable gesture to see recognition after the events of the previous year.

After what seems like an age of anticipation, Marathon was officially released last night for Xbox Series X/S, PlayStation 5, and PC.

Our reviewer had a chance to try out Marathon and reported an exhilarating experience, suggesting that there may be some of Bungie’s finest work waiting to be discovered in this title.