Modern Warships Developer Admits Plagiarizing Concept Artist's Design, Offers Settlement
Artstorm, the developer of the naval PvP game Modern Warships, has admitted to copying a concept design by artist Alex Jay Brady without permission. The disputed vehicle, an 'ekranoplan' ground-effect craft, was added to the game and is currently available for purchase for up to $700. Rather than removing the asset, the developer has publicly apologized and proposed a direct settlement with the artist.
Key points
- Artstorm acknowledged that the ekranoplan vehicle in Modern Warships was based on Alex Jay Brady's 2014 concept art without proper clearance.
- The copied design includes non-functional details, such as engines washing across the deck and planes taking off backward, which Brady noted were errors in their original sketch.
- The vehicle is priced at approximately $700 for direct purchase or between $50 and $100 via gacha spins within the freemium game.
- Artstorm responded to public criticism on X by apologizing and stating they would contact Brady directly to resolve the issue.
- Modern Warships is published by Gaijin, the same company behind War Thunder, raising questions about the developer's internal quality control measures.
Background
This incident follows earlier controversies involving Gaijin, the publisher of Modern Warships, which was previously linked to allegations of using classified military documents for War Thunder vehicle designs. The current dispute highlights ongoing concerns regarding intellectual property rights and asset verification in the gaming industry, particularly for titles with smaller player bases that may lack rigorous legal oversight.
Why it matters
The case underscores the risks for independent artists whose work may be appropriated by larger studios without credit or compensation. It also raises questions about the diligence of publishers like Gaijin in vetting third-party assets, potentially affecting trust in their broader portfolio of titles.
What to watch
Artstorm has indicated it will contact Alex Jay Brady directly to negotiate a settlement. The outcome of these negotiations will determine whether the artist receives compensation and whether the game's developers implement stricter asset verification protocols in the future.
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