Bungie Settles Destiny 2 Red War Copyright Lawsuit
Bungie, the developer behind the acclaimed sci-fi shooter *Destiny 2*, has officially reached a settlement in a copyright lawsuit filed by writer Matthew Martineau, bringing an end to a legal dispute that centered on the game's foundational story campaigns. The lawsuit alleged that Bungie had used elements from Martineau's original work in both the "Red War" main story and the "Curse of Osiris" expansion.
The resolution, confirmed through court filings, concludes a year-long legal process. While the specific terms of the settlement remain confidential, as is common in such agreements, the conclusion marks a significant moment, closing the book on claims that have shadowed some of *Destiny 2*'s most memorable early content.
The Core of the Allegations
The lawsuit was originally filed by Matthew Kelsey Martineau, who claimed that Bungie had committed copyright infringement. According to the writer's complaint, he had submitted his own creative work, which he believed bore a striking resemblance to key narrative and thematic elements later found in *Destiny 2*.
The claims focused specifically on two major pieces of content from the game's first year:
- The Red War: This was the original launch campaign for *Destiny 2* in 2017. It told the epic story of the Guardians losing their Light at the hands of the Cabal commander, Dominus Ghaul, and their struggle to reclaim their power and save the Last City. The campaign was praised for its cinematic scope and character-driven narrative.
- Curse of Osiris: The game's first major expansion, released in late 2017, delved into the lore of the legendary and enigmatic Warlock, Osiris. Players traveled to Mercury to combat the Vex, a temporal machine race, within the Infinite Forest, a reality-simulating engine.
Martineau's legal action contended that unique plot points, character arcs, and thematic ideas from his work were improperly incorporated into these storylines without his permission or credit.
The Legal Path to a Settlement
Throughout the legal proceedings, Bungie maintained its position of non-infringement. The studio took formal steps to contest the validity of the lawsuit, including filing a motion to dismiss the case entirely. A motion to dismiss is a legal request asking a court to throw out a lawsuit, arguing that the claim has no legal basis, even if the allegations are assumed to be true.
However, the court ultimately denied Bungie’s motion to dismiss. This crucial decision signified that the presiding judge found the claims had sufficient merit to proceed further into the legal process, potentially toward a full trial. This development often serves as a catalyst for settlement discussions, as both parties look to avoid the significant time, expense, and uncertainty of a prolonged court battle.
By reaching a settlement, both Bungie and Martineau have agreed to resolve the dispute outside of a courtroom verdict. It is important to note that a settlement is not an admission of guilt or wrongdoing by either party. Instead, it is a mutually agreed-upon resolution that allows both sides to move forward without further litigation.
A Look Back at the Content in Question
For many *Destiny 2* players, the Red War and Curse of Osiris campaigns hold a special place in the game's history. The Red War, in particular, served as the entry point for millions of Guardians, establishing the high stakes of a world where humanity's protectors could be rendered powerless. Its narrative of loss and redemption was a powerful hook that defined the game's initial tone.
Curse of Osiris expanded the deep and often-cryptic lore of the *Destiny* universe, giving players their first real interaction with one of its most mythologized figures. Though the expansion received a mixed reception from the community at the time, its contribution to the world's lore, particularly concerning the Vex and their paracausal abilities, remains significant.
Adding a unique layer to this legal resolution is the fact that neither the Red War nor the Curse of Osiris campaigns are currently playable in *Destiny 2*. Both were removed from the live game and placed into the Destiny Content Vault (DCV) with the release of the "Beyond Light" expansion in 2020. This practice was implemented by Bungie to manage the game's massive file size and to allow the developers to evolve the world. Court filings related to the lawsuit even referenced the fact that the Red War no longer exists in a playable form, highlighting the evolving nature of the live-service game at the center of the dispute.
With this legal chapter now closed, Bungie can focus its full attention on the future of the *Destiny* universe, including the climactic "The Final Shape" expansion, which promises to conclude the game's decade-long "Light and Darkness Saga."
Frequently Asked Questions
What was the Bungie lawsuit about?
Writer Matthew Martineau filed a copyright infringement lawsuit against Bungie, alleging that the studio used story elements from his original work in *Destiny 2*'s "Red War" campaign and its "Curse of Osiris" expansion.
Did Bungie admit to plagiarizing the story?
No. Reaching a settlement is not an admission of guilt. It is a private agreement between two parties to end a legal dispute without a court trial or verdict. The terms are typically confidential.
Are the terms of the settlement public?
No, the specific details of the settlement, including any financial components, have not been made public and will almost certainly remain confidential.
Can I still play the Red War or Curse of Osiris in Destiny 2?
No. This content was moved to the Destiny Content Vault (DCV) in November 2020 and is no longer accessible in the game. This was done to make way for new content and manage the game's overall size.