Viktor Antonov, finest identified for his work as artwork lead on Half-Life 2 and Dishonored, has reportedly died at age 52. Half-Life author Marc Laidlaw broke the information in an Instagram Story, and different former colleagues have since taken to social media to pay tribute as effectively. “I didn’t need to say a lot until I felt it was confirmed, however I realized as we speak that Viktor Antonov, our visionary artwork lead on HL2, has died,” Laidla wrote within the now-expired submit, which was reshared by LambdaGeneration on Saturday night time.
Antonov acquired his begin in video video games engaged on Redneck Rampage, and along with serving as artwork director for Half-Life 2 and Dishonored, he went on to seek the advice of on titles together with Doom (2016) and Fallout 4. The Bulgarian artist only recently appeared in a documentary celebrating the twentieth anniversary of Half-life 2 this previous November.
“RIP Viktor Antonov. I want I instructed you the way a lot admiration I had for you however we get caught in our lives till a shock like this hits us,” Raphael Colantonio, founding father of Arkane Studios and Wolfeye Studios, wrote on Bluesky. “You had been instrumental to the success of Arkane Studios and an inspiration to many people, additionally a pal with whom I’ve many fond reminiscences.” In one other submit, recreation designer Harvey Smith added, “All this about his influence and expertise is true, however I may also all the time bear in mind how a lot he made me snort, together with his dry, devastating wit. RIP.”