Summary
- The artist Viktor Antonov has passed away, leaving a lasting legacy in the video game industry.
- The artist worked as an art director on Half-Life 2, a visual designer on Dishonored, and a consultant on Fallout 4 and DOOM.
- Antonov’s passing in 2025 was mourned by colleagues, with tributes from Valve’s Marc Laidlaw and Arkane founder Raphael Colantonio.
The prolific art director Viktor Antonov, most notably known for his work and influence on Half-Life 2 and Dishonored, has passed away. The Bulgarian-born artist worked in the film and video games industry during his career and even wrote and designed the graphic novel The Colony: A Structure Celebrating the Triumphs of Technology, featuring the epic story of Gabriel Duban who strives to uncover the truth of a lost city, set in an empire before space-travel was dulled the enchantment of Earth-based adventures.
Antonov had a huge influence over the look for Half-Life 2, which belongs to one of the most well-respected series in video games history. The sequel spawned two episodes, released in 2006 and 2007, preceding the latest entry, Half-Life: Alyx, in 2020. Possibly continuing the franchise for modern gamers, Half-Life 3 rumors are piling up in 2025, thanks to Half-Life 2’s November 2024 documentary that touched on early iterations of a third entry, despite being at the mercy of outlandish theories and hoaxes over the years.
Related
Would You Play Half Life 2: Episode 3 If It Was Released Now?
If Half-Life 2: Episode 3 was released as DLC for Half-Life 2 today, I would play it, but I would keep my expectations low. Half-Life 2 is two decades old now, and though it might have been mind-blowing a decade ago, Half-Life 2: Episode 3 wouldn’t be a game-changer nowadays, even with all the new features that were being developed for it like the gun that can create Ice wherever you aim. Valve has said it sees Half-Life as a vehicle for major technological advancement, so it might be a while until we get a proper conclusion to the Half-Life 2: Episode 2 story.
Reported by former colleagues on social media, it was announced on February 16, 2025, that Antonov had passed away. The artist debuted in his video games career as a map painter on Redneck Rampage in 2007 before embarking on a myriad of other games, including his work as an art director on Half-Life 2, considered to be one of the best FPS games on the PlayStation 2 console. Antonov also worked on the visual design of The Elder Scrolls: Legends – Heroes of Skyrim, as an additional art director on Wolfenstein: The New Order, and served as a consultant on Fallout 4, DOOM, and Prey.
Half-Life 2 and Dishonored Artist Viktor Antonov Passes Away
An archivist leaked a bunch of concept art from canceled games including Half-Life 2: Episode 3 a couple of years ago, which may have involved Antonov being the game’s art director at the time. However, the artist was a key developer in the base game and Half-Life 2: Lost Coast, and the artist’s former Valve colleague, Marc Laidlaw, paid tribute to Antonov on Instagram, saying “I don’t have details. Just sadness. Brilliant and original. Made everything better.” Arkane Studio founder Raphael Colantonio also shared a sentiment for Antonov on Twitter, sharing “You were instrumental to the success of Arkane Studios and an inspiration to many of us, also a friend with whom I have many fond memories.”
After his time working with Valve on Half-Life 2, Antonov moved to Arkane Studio to work on the action-adventure Dishonored, thought to be one of the best stealth games for newcomers to the genre, as a visual designer. The artist also worked on the game’s DLC, Dunwall City Trials, and the artist’s legacy is profoundly felt throughout the industry and its community, after leaving his mark on some of the best games ever released.
Valve
- Date Founded
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August 24, 1996
- Headquarters
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Bellevue, Washington, United States
- CEO
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Gabe Newell
- Subsidiaries
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Campo Santo