Official Half-Life 2 and Dishonored art lead Viktor Antonov dies aged just 52

[Sphinx]

Half-Life 2 art director and Dishonored designer Viktor Antonov has died aged just 52.

Former Valve writer Marc Laidlaw revealed the news on social media, saying he had no details of Antonov's death, but he had had it confirmed that the "visionary art lead" had died.

Viktor Antonov, le directeur artistique sur Half-Life 2 et la franchise Dishonored, est décédé. L'information a été confirmée par Marc Laidlaw, ex-ead writer chez Valve sur Half-Life.

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— FdeSousse (@taleboules.bsky.social) February 16, 2025 at 8:24 AM

"I didn't want to say much till I felt it was confirmed, but I learned today that Viktor Antonov, our visionary art lead on HL2, has died," Laidlaw said.

Half-Life 2 and Dishonored art lead Viktor Antonov dies aged just 52

Half-Life 2 art director and Dishonored designer Viktor Antonov has died aged just 52.

www.eurogamer.net

 

[Dreamy Bull]

Cause of death still hasn't been released, but considering he was still on the younger side, I'm guessing either an accident or cancer. Either way, may he no longer suffer on this earth, and find peace in his rest.

 

[GreenLance]

I remember first time playing Half-Life 2 and thinking that City 17 looks very Eastern European, like Soviet city. Only many years later I read that Viktor was from Bulgaria. Hope his works inspired people to check more about Eastern Europe and its architecture. RIP, legend