Bungie Sued by Sci-Fi Author Over Alleged Idea Theft for Destiny 2’s Blockbuster Campaign

Bungie Sued Over Alleged Destiny 2 Storyline Copying

In a copyright infringement lawsuit, writer Kelsey Martineau is taking Bungie to court, claiming that the studio copied elements of his original story, "Red War," for Destiny 2’s Red War storyline. The similarities between the two narratives are striking, with both featuring a powerful military force, the Red Legion, and a focus on invading Earth.

The Case Against Bungie

Martineau’s original story, published on his WordPress blog in 2013 and 2014, introduces the Red Legion, a brutal force known for their flamethrowers, war beasts, and destruction of civilian settlements. The similarities between Martineau’s work and Destiny 2’s Red War campaign are undeniable, with both featuring a powerful enemy faction and a focus on Earth invasion.

A Table of Similarities

A table comparing the two stories highlights the striking similarities between Martineau’s original work and Destiny 2’s Red War campaign. From the same character names to the identical plot beats, the similarities are too great to ignore.

Will It Stick?

While the similarities between the two stories are undeniable, the question remains whether Bungie’s alleged copying will be enough to persuade the courts. The issue of similar enemy factions is not new, with numerous sci-fi franchises featuring warlike alien or human factions. Will the courts consider this a unique and creative work, or just another example of the same idea being rehashed?

The State of Intellectual Property

In an era where massive corporations take small creators to court over tiny bagatelles, it’s only fair that small creators take them to court right back. The question remains whether Bungie’s alleged copying is a significant enough issue to warrant legal action, or just another example of the cutthroat world of intellectual property.

Image Credits

[Image 1: A table comparing similar characters in Martineau’s story and Destiny 2.]

[Image 2: A table comparing similar plot beats in Martineau’s story and Destiny 2.]

(Image credits: Kelsey Martineau)

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