The developer of Modern Warships acknowledged the plagiarism of the ship design
- Artstorm used the design without permission
- Artist Alex Jay Brady demanded compensation
- The ship costs 7-15,000 AC or $50-100
- Players criticize the monetization of the project
Artstorm studio, which created the multiplayer game Modern Warships, confirmed the fact of using someone else's artistic project as the basis for a game ship. This became known after the publication on social media of a concept drawing by independent artist Alex Jay Brady.
Artist's accusation
Brady, a well-known author of fantastic concepts, posted a comparison of his original design of a nuclear ekranoplan-carrier on Twitter with the model that appeared in the game called RF Bartini A-2000-7. According to him, the differences between the two images are minimal: the placement of antennas, the number of engines, and even the details of the deck lines are completely identical, except for minor stylistic adjustments.
The author noted that he did not give the studio permission to use his design, but expressed a willingness to discuss the matter provided there is fair compensation. He also pointed out technical discrepancies in the original project, such as the placement of engines and the takeoff direction of the planes, which were transferred to the game without correction.
Developers' Response
After Brady's post gained popularity, representatives from Artstorm contacted the artist. In the studio's official response, it was stated: 'We used your design as reference material without proper agreement. We apologize and will contact you to resolve the situation.' According to the developers, they are open to considering any proposals, including the possibility of formalizing the work as a one-time contract.
The publisher Gaijin, which supports the Modern Warships project, confirmed the fact of communication with the artist but declined to comment on the details of the negotiations.
The cost of the ship in the game
To obtain the RF Bartini A‑2000‑7, players can spend between 50 to 100 dollars on gacha spins or purchase it for in-game currency ArtCoins (AC). The cost of the ship ranges from 7,000 to 15,000 AC, with an average exchange rate of 1,300–2,000 AC for 100 $, which is equivalent to 500–700 $.
Such prices have caused dissatisfaction among part of the community. Reviews on Steam often contain remarks that the game is focused on monetization rather than balance and enjoyment of the process.
Prospects for resolving the conflict
Brady is currently waiting for a concrete proposal from Artstorm. If the parties reach an agreement, the artist may consider the matter closed and add the image to his portfolio as 'completed work under contract'. Otherwise, the conflict may continue in the public space, drawing attention to the issue of using someone else's creative work without consent in the video game industry.
Source: IGN
