Viktor Antonov, visionary artistic director of games such as Half-Life 2 and Dishonored, died at the age of 52.
The writer of the half -life Marc Laidlaw confirmed the message in Automatically removed the post on Instagram. “Brilliant and original,” said Laidlaw about Antonov. “He made everything better.”
According to the last post of social media of Marc Laidlaw, Viktor Antonov – visionary artistic director of Half -Life 2 died.
Assuming it is true, we are very melancholy when we hear this message. pic.twitter.com/3mqnbxks64
– lambdageneration (@Lambday) February 16, 2025
Raphael Colantonio, founder Arkane Studios and the current president and inventive director Wolfeye Studios, wrote on Twitter: “He played the success of Arkane Studios and inspiration for many of us, as well as a friend with whom I have many nice memories.”
RIP Viktor Antonov.
I would like to tell you how much I admire for you, but we let ourselves be caught in our lives until we were surprised by lime.
You played a key role for the success of Arkane Studios and an inspiration for many of us, including a friend with whom I have many nice memories pic.twitter.com/phdnvh3scy– Raphael Colantonio (@rafcolantonio) February 16, 2025
Harvey Smith, former co -creation director of Arkane Studios, He started to social media Reflect Colantonio comments. “All this about his influence and talent is real, but I will always remember how much he laughed me with his dry, destructive joke,” said Smith.
Former marketing head of Bethesda Pete Hines Tweet: “Sad, hearing about Viktor’s death. What was the amazing talent. His ability to breathe life and significance in the world he built, like disgraced, was unique. Thanks for all the hours of joy you gave us, Viktor. You “is missing. “
Antonov was born in Sofia, Bulgaria and moved to Paris before he entered the world of video games in the mid -90s in Xatrix Entertainment, a studio from Los Angeles, which became Studios Gray Matter. He became one of the main creations behind the world of Half-Life 2 for Valve, where he designed the cult city of 17-life 2 the most famous.
Later, Antonov worked on the influential disgusted director of visual design at Arkane Studios, co -creating Dunwall. In addition to video games, Antonov was a co -author of Renaissance and The Prodigies animated films and worked in an independent production company called Darese Entertainment.
IN Reddit, but It took place eight years ago, Antonov discussed his early career leading to the development of video games.
I was created and started my career as a transport designer. Then I worked in advertising, but both industries were very well established and did not give me a lot of choice for creative risk. As a designer, I was lucky to find a completely new industry that could use my skills. At the moment, the video game industry did not clearly define the position, and the artist could create whole worlds. So I joined the game industry relatively early: my first game was Redneck Rampage, a crazy fun experience in which I managed to create a large part of Art & World before I went to more “grave” projects.
Antonov based Orwellian City 17 on his childhood Sofia, mixing elements from Belgrade and St. Petersburg. “I wanted to capture this particular atmosphere of Eastern and northern Europe,” said Antonov.
Recently Antonov appeared in Valve document 20th anniversary for Half-Life 2where he discussed the inspiration of his work on the project and his visual project.
Image loan: Half-Life Document 2: 20. Anniversary / Valve.
Wesley is the British information editor IGN. Find it on Twitter on @św100. You can reach Wesley at wesley_yinpole@ign.com or confidentially at spine@proton.me.
