Destiny 2 developer Bungie has been hit with a copyright lawsuit by an author claiming that the ideas in the game’s Red War campaign are stolen from one of his works.
As first reported by TheGamePost, author Kelsey Martineau is accusing Bungie of infringing work he created under the pen name of Caspar Cole back in 2013 and 2014, several years before the release of Destiny 2.
The lawsuit alleges that the characters involved in both Destiny 2‘s Red War and Martineau’s works “display very similar attitudes, histories, and mindsets”, and that “only through a very unique set of actions” is Earth invaded on both counts.
According to the lawsuit, which appears to be referring to multiple Martineau works rather than any one single story, Martineau first published his stories on WordPress, which “allowed readers to easily search and explore content”, including his published works.
The lawsuit alleges similarities like both stories involving “a young and ambitious alien” with the goal of “dividing and conquering Earth in order to gain strategic assets”, as well as organizations named the Red Legion, both of which feature soldiers known as Legionnaires.
Both Red Legions are interested in “acquiring superweapons that can turn the tide” of the respective wars depicted in both works, according to the lawsuit, and both works “focus on concepts relating to consciousness transfer and the ethical dilemmas” arising from such technology.
Lest you think things aren’t specific enough yet, don’t worry; Martineau’s lawsuit goes on to allege that a number of specific elements in his work were copied by Bungie for Destiny 2.
Specific elements Martineau claims Bungie copied include the backstory of Red War villain Dominus Ghaul, who’s apparently very similar to a villain Martineau created called Yinnerah. Both of them lead their respective Red Legions, and they’re both from humble beginnings.
Other similarities include Destiny 2‘s war beasts, which are apparently copied from animals in Martineau’s work called “miogas”, as well as superweapons called the Atonizer (in Martineau’s work) and the Almighty (in Destiny 2).
The list of allegations is lengthy and involved, and you can read the full lawsuit right here (thanks again, TheGamePost) if you wish. Martineau’s demands include the cessation of “manufacturing, producing…[and]…selling…materials that are substantially similar to Destiny 2“, as well as damages.
If the case goes ahead, it doesn’t come at the best time for Bungie; the studio let hundreds of employees go back in July as part of a “new path”, and Destiny 2 is about to embark on a new release schedule as well. We’ll have to wait and see what happens next.
