2024-10-09 13:51:27
Bungie is being sued by author Kelsey Martineau who claims the company stole his “original work about a unique and captivating fantasy world” for ‘Destiny 2’s ‘Red War’ campaign.
The writer accused the studio of “deliberately copying and appropriating [his] copyrighted work” for the shooter’s main story – particularly in regards to the Red Legion army, which Martineau says was lifted “directly” from his work he published via WordPress years before the game launched in 2017.
The lawsuit reads: “In 2013 and 2014, Martineau, writing under the pen name Caspar Cole, authored an original work about a unique and captivating fantasy world.”
The writer – whose work has since been archived – says ‘Destiny’s story “introduces the notorious Red Legion, a powerful military force that is embroiled in an unending cycle of warfare.”
The lawsuit continues: “In Martineau’s work, the Red Legion, a militaristic faction, is described as monitoring beings on Earth for an extended period, withholding direct contact while observing their behaviours and connections.
“This is a unique narrative element that gives rise to omnipresent danger and suspense.”
On top of this, the writer points to other similarities to his work and ‘Red War’, namely both stories lean on “extremely powerful weapons that can bring about the destruction of an entire race”, while both antagonistic armies face resistance from rebels who are searching for “significant relics and weapons” to use against their oppressors.
Martineau is seeking damages and injunctive relief, and Bungie is yet to respond to the lawsuit.
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