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Video game developer Bungie has pointed the finger at a former employee following the recent leak of unreleased concept art and internal documents tied to its upcoming title Marathon , according to sources close to the company.

The leak, which surfaced earlier this week across several gaming forums and social media platforms, included high-resolution images of character designs, world-building assets, and what appeared to be internal development timelines. The material quickly spread across the internet, drawing both excitement and concern from fans and industry insiders alike.

In a statement released Thursday, Bungie confirmed that the stolen content was indeed authentic and originated from within the studio’s secure network. The company claims the breach was orchestrated by a former developer who had access to proprietary materials during their time at Bungie.

“We’ve identified the source of the leak and believe it was the deliberate action of a former team member,” said a Bungie spokesperson. “We are cooperating fully with law enforcement and taking all appropriate steps to protect our intellectual property.”

While Bungie did not name the individual publicly, multiple sources familiar with the investigation allege that the former employee downloaded the files shortly before leaving the company earlier this year. It is unclear whether the leak was intentional or accidental, but the studio is treating it as a malicious act.

The Marathon reboot, which marks Bungie’s return to the iconic sci-fi franchise, has been under wraps for years. Details about the game’s story, setting, and gameplay mechanics have been scarce, making the leaked art particularly valuable to fans and competitors alike.

Fans have reacted with mixed emotions, with some praising the visual style and creative direction revealed in the artwork, while others expressed concern over how the leak might impact the final product or Bungie’s relationship with its community.

This incident comes amid a growing trend of IP thefts and leaks in the gaming industry, especially surrounding highly anticipated titles. Companies like Square Enix, Rockstar Games, and CD Projekt Red have also faced similar breaches in recent years.

Bungie has asked that fans refrain from sharing or reposting the stolen content and reiterated its commitment to delivering a bold new vision for Marathon . No changes to the game’s release schedule have been announced at this time.

We’ll update this story as more information becomes available.