https://www.eurogamer.net/half-life-2-and-dishonored-art-lead-viktor-antonov-dies-aged-just-52

Skip to main content

  * 2025 Release Schedule
  * Infinity Nikki Codes
  * Avowed Tips
  * Genshin Impact Varesa
  * Supporters only
  * Deals
  * Buy eShop codes

Eurogamer.net
Support us Sign in / Create account

  * Latest
  * PC
  * PlayStation
  * Xbox
  * Nintendo
  * Digital Foundry
  * News
  * Reviews
  * Videos
  * Features
  * Guides

[                    ]
If you click on a link and make a purchase we may receive a small
commission. Read our editorial policy.

  * Home
  * News

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

"Brilliant and original. Made everything better."

A portrait shot of Viktor Antonov surrounded by concept art for
Half-Life 2 and Dishonored Image credit: Valve / Arkane Studios /
Eurogamer
Vikki Blake avatar
News by Vikki Blake Contributor
Published on Feb. 16, 2025
27 comments
Follow Dishonored

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 decede. L'information a ete confirmee
    par Marc Laidlaw, ex-ead writer chez Valve sur Half-Life.

    [image or embed]

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

To see this content please enable targeting cookies. Manage cookie
settings

"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.

"I don't have details. Just sadness. Brilliant and original. Made
everything better."

Antonov moved from Bulgaria to Paris when he was just 17 and went on
to work or consult on a number of notable games, including Half-Life
2, Counter-Strike: Source, Half-Life 2: Lost Coast, Dishonored.
Dishonored: Dunwall City Trials, Wolfenstein: The New Order, Fallout
4, Dishonored 2, Doom, and Prey.

After Valve, Antonov joined Arkane Studios, telling our Bertie: "
Valve is a great place, but I'm interested in projects, not in
companies. I went to Valve specifically for Half-Life 2. I went and I
collaborated with Arkane to do The Crossing and Dishonored. I put the
project above everything else."

Read this next

  * Long-in-the-works Half-life 2: Episode 3 fan game Project
    Borealis now has a 10-minute Prologue on Steam
  * Skibidi Toilet, made using Half-Life 2 assets, reportedly in
    talks for Michael Bay movie
  * Hi-Fi Rush 2, potential new Dishonored game were reportedly being
    pitched by now-closed Xbox studios

Vikki Blake avatar
Vikki Blake: When her friends were falling in love with pop stars,
Vikki (she/her) was falling in love with video games. She's a
survival horror survivalist with a penchant for​
shooters, rich story-telling, and spooky stuff. Vikki started writing
for Eurogamer in 2015​, and her kill/death ratio has
become steadily worse since then.
View comments (27)
In this article
[co5pcs]

Dishonored

PS3, Xbox 360, PC

Follow
[co5pd0]

Dishonored 2

PS4, Xbox One, PC

Follow
See 1 more
[co1nmw]

Half-Life 2

PS3, Xbox 360, Xbox, PC

Follow
Related topics
Action Adventure Arkane Studios Bethesda Softworks Electronic Arts 
FPS PC PS3 PS4 RPG Shooter See 9 more Stealth Story Rich Valve Valve
Corporation Valve Software Vivendi Games Xbox Xbox 360 Xbox One

Eurogamer is better when you sign in

Join our community of gamers and get access to personalised reading
recommendations and much more!

Sign in with Google Sign in with Facebook Sign in with Twitter Sign
in with Reddit
Sign in with email
[0580_smart-slot-for_you]
Latest News

  * Sea of Thieves Season 15, Wild Things, is almost here - here's
    what you can expect
  * Street Fighter vs Mortal Kombat will finally be possible, in
    Fortnite
  * Just Cause creator's new studio suffers layoffs before launching
    first game
  * Life is Strange creative director on the decision to delay Lost
    Records: Bloom & Rage, plus a tease of the game's magical
    elements
  * Don't worry, Undertale fans, Toby Fox is still hard at work on
    "parallel story" Deltarune
  * Monster Hunter Wilds producer acknowledges importance of PC
    platform and crossplay
  * GTA 6 set for PC debut in early 2026, accessories company claims

Latest Guides

  * Pokemon Go best Shadow Pokemon
  * Tribe Nine release date and time
  * Monster Hunter Wilds Release Date
  * Monster Hunter Wilds PC Requirements
  * Genshin Impact Iansan materials, kit, and Constellations
  * Genshin Impact Varesa materials, kit, and Constellations
  * Honkai Star Rail 3.1 release date, 3.1 Banner and event details

Top Discussions

  * Does anyone really want long games any more?
    94
  * The Last of Us' Neil Druckmann says he doesn't have the
    confidence to plan for sequels
    45
  * Ubisoft announces Rainbow Six Siege X, the "biggest
    transformation in the game's history"
    22
  * Elden Ring Nightreign has confirmed DLC, but what could be
    included?
    15
  * DF Direct: Crysis 4's uncertain future is a grim portend for the
    industry
    14
  * Japanese gacha boss defended as Puzzle & Dragons studio refutes
    his salary is too high
    14
  * Stalker 2: Heart of Chornobyl's second major patch adds 1700
    improvements and fixes
    14

  *  
  *  
  *  
  *  
  *  
  *  

Eurogamer.net is owned by Gamer Network Limited, an IGN Entertainment
company and subsidiary of Ziff Davis. (c) 2025 Gamer Network Limited,
18 Mansell Street Level 3, London, E1 8AA, United Kingdom. Company
number 03882481. All rights reserved. No part of this website or its
content may be reproduced without the copyright owner's permission.

  * Helpful Links
  * About Us
  * Advertise with us
  * Archive
  * Authors
  * Contact Us
  * Corporate Site
  * Interactive Maps
  * Manage push notifications
  * Newsletters
  * RSS Feeds

  * Policies
  * Accessibility Policy
  * AdChoices AdChoices Opt-Out Icon
  * Code of Conduct
  * Cookie Policy
  * Do Not Sell My Personal Information
  * Editorial Policy
  * Privacy Policy
  * Review Policy
  * Terms & Conditions

  * Gamer Network
  * Dicebreaker
  * Digital Foundry
  * GamesIndustry.biz
  * Jelly Deals
  * Nintendo Life
  * Pure Xbox
  * Push Square
  * Rock Paper Shotgun
  * Time Extension
  * VG247

  * Across Europe
  * Eurogamer.cz
  * Eurogamer.de
  * Eurogamer.es
  * Eurogamer.nl
  * Eurogamer.pl
  * Eurogamer.pt

*