Summary
- Destiny 2 accused of copying fan art for new Ace of Spades design.
- Bungie investigating internally and has reached out to artist.
- Controversy potentially tarnishes Destiny 2's anniversary celebration.
Destiny 2 developer Bungie and toymaker Nerf are being accused of copying a fan design for a new visual variant of the Ace of Spades exotic weapon. The new Destiny 2 weapon design debuted in-game as an ornament for the gun and in the real world as a special Nerf foam dart blaster.
Destiny has been around for a full decade at this point, with Bungie celebrating the tenth anniversary of the original Destiny release just this week. That said, times are tough for both Destiny 2 and its player community, as major rounds of layoffs at Bungie have impacted confidence in the studio's ability to ensure a bright present and future for the game. This is all in spite of great critical acclaim for Destiny 2: The Final Shape, the game's most recent expansion, and recent promises by Bungie to make major content updates and add more to the game over the next year of its life.
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Unfortunately, the studio's celebration of the Destiny anniversary could be tarnished further by accusations of possible plagiarism in its designs. According to a post on Twitter by the artist @Tofu_Rabbit (also called Tofu Bunny), it seems like Bungie and Nerf lifted significant elements of the new look for the Ace of Spades Exotic Hand Cannon from a commissioned piece done by Tofu_Rabbit in 2015.
Destiny 2 Accused of Copying Fan Art for Ace of Spades Nerf Blaster Design
The post by Tofu_Rabbit included side-by-side comparisons between their 2015 design for Ace of Spades and the 2024 Nerf Ace of Spades design. The comparisons focused on various small elements seen on the variant of the iconic weapon used by Destiny 2 character Cayde-6, including in stroke patterns, the shape of the inverted spade logo, and the placement of several bits of iconography and flourish. Tofu_Rabbit claimed that parts of their design, like brush strokes and smudges and scratches, may have been lifted directly, in defiance of mere coincidence.
In a response posted via the official Destiny 2 Team Twitter account, Bungie said that it is investigating internally, and has contacted Tofu_Rabbit about the matter. It promised to share more on its next steps once it has gathered more information. This incident with the Ace of Spades weapon isn't the first time Bungie and Destiny 2 have been involved with accusations of copying and plagiarism. In 2023 a cutscene from Destiny 2: Lightfall incorporated uncredited references to fan art created by graphic designer Julian Faylona. Bungie apologized for the oversight, added credit, and compensated Faylona for the use of their art.
The controversy over potential plagiarism in what should be a tribute to one of Destiny's most beloved and recognizable weapons certainly puts a damper on the game's anniversary celebration. Additional complications could be added by the fact that the design is used by a physical product currently being sold, namely the Nerf blaster. With luck, Bungie will be able to find a resolution that satisfies all parties involved.
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OpenCritic Reviews
- Top Critic Avg: 84 /100 Critics Rec: 88%
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Dive into the world of Destiny 2 to explore the mysteries of the solar system and experience responsive first-person shooter combat. Unlock powerful elemental abilities and collect unique gear to customize your Guardian's look and playstyle. Enjoy Destiny 2’s cinematic story, challenging co-op missions, and a variety of PvP modes alone or with friends. Download for free today and write your legend in the stars.
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