### Marathon's Art Director Resigns Just Months Before Launch, Raising Concerns Joseph Cross, the art director for Bungie's highly anticipated shooter *Marathon*, has officially announced his resignation from the company. This departure comes as the game approaches its release date in 2026, stirring speculation about the potential impact on the game's development and final output. Cross's exit was confirmed through various gaming news outlets, highlighting his pride in the visual achievements made during his tenure at Bungie, particularly in relation to *Marathon* and *Destiny 2* [https://gamebastion.com/n/marathon-art-director-departs-bungie-as-the/502352, https://www.pcgamer.com/games/fps/marathon-art-director-joseph-cross-has-departed-bungie-im-incredibly-proud-of-the-visual-world-we-built]. ### Breakdown of the Situation Surrounding Cross's Departure 1. **Timing of Departure**: Cross's resignation comes just three months before the scheduled launch of *Marathon*, raising questions about the game's final stages of development [https://www.eurogamer.net/marathon-art-lead-departs-bungie-of-his-own-volition-ahead-of-games-new-release-date]. 2. **Background and Contributions**: Joseph Cross has been a significant figure at Bungie, having worked on concept art for both *Marathon* and *Destiny 2*. His contributions have been acknowledged as pivotal in shaping the visual identity of these games [https://gamingbolt.com/marathon-art-director-joseph-cross-announces-departure-from-studio]. 3. **Impact on Development**: The timing of his departure, especially after a recent plagiarism dispute that Bungie resolved, has led to concerns about the stability of the development team and the potential implications for the game's release [https://www.kitguru.net/gaming/matthew-wilson/marathon-art-director-leaves-bungie]. 4. **Cross's Statement**: In his announcement, Cross expressed pride in the work accomplished over the past six years, indicating that his decision to leave was made of his own volition [https://www.videogameschronicle.com/news/marathons-senior-art-director-has-left-bungie-ahead-of-the-games-release]. ### Supporting Evidence and Context - **Joseph Cross's Tenure**: Cross has been with Bungie for six years, contributing significantly to the visual design of major titles, including *Destiny 2* and the upcoming *Marathon* [https://www.psu.com/news/marathon-has-lost-its-senior-art-director-just-a-few-months-ahead-of-the-games-launch]. - **Recent Developments**: His departure follows a period of heightened scrutiny for Bungie, particularly regarding the artistic direction of *Marathon*, which had recently been re-revealed to the public [https://kotaku.com/marathon-art-director-joseph-cross-leaves-bungie-2000654665]. - **Community Reaction**: The gaming community has expressed mixed feelings about the news, with some concerned about the potential impact on the game's quality and others hopeful that the remaining team can maintain the project's vision [https://www.insidesport.in/gaming/marathon-art-director-quits-bungie-what-it-means-for-2026-launch]. ### Conclusion: Implications of Cross's Departure on *Marathon* In summary, **Joseph Cross's resignation from Bungie just months before the launch of *Marathon* raises significant concerns about the game's development**. 1. **Timing**: His exit so close to the release date could disrupt the final stages of production. 2. **Contributions**: Cross's role was crucial in shaping the game's visual identity, and his absence may affect the team's cohesion and direction. 3. **Community Concerns**: The gaming community is apprehensive about how this change will influence the game's quality and overall success. As Bungie moves forward, the focus will be on how the remaining team adapts to this change and whether they can deliver on the high expectations set for *Marathon* [https://www.allkeyshop.com/blog/marathons-senior-art-director-leaves-bungie-3-months-before-release-news-n].