Influential Dishonored and Half-Life 2 artist Viktor Antonov has died

Viktor Antonov, the influential artist whose credits include Half-Life 2 and Dishonored, has died, according to his former colleagues.

Originally born in Bulgaria, Antonov moved to Paris when he was 17. His first video game credit came in 1997 as a map painter on Redneck Rampage. He joined Valve in the early 2000s, serving as the art director on Half-Life 2.

Several of Viktor’s former colleagues have taken to social media to pay tribute to the developer.

“RIP Viktor Antonov,” said Arkane founder Raphael Colantonio on X.

“I wish I told you how much admiration I had for you but we get caught in our lives until a surprise lime this hits us. 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.”

Former Valve writer Marc Laidlaw took to Instagram (archived by LambdaGen) to write: “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. I don’t have details. Just sadness. Brilliant and original. Made everything better. ”

Following his time at Valve, Antonov joined Arkane as the visual director of Dishonored, and the game’s DLC. He then served as an additional art director on Wolfenstein: The New Order.

Following this, he remained at Bethesda Game Studios, working as a consultant on Fallout 4, Dishonored 2, Doom, and Prey.