Artstorm, the developer behind the PvP naval combat game Modern Warships, has acknowledged using an independent artist's creation as the basis for one of its in-game ship designs. The issue surfaced when concept artist Alex Jay Brady highlighted the striking resemblance between his atomic ekranoplan carrier design and the RF Bartini A-2000-7 vessel featured in the game.
Brady shared side-by-side comparisons, pointing out that while Artstorm had added some details, the core design, including apparent errors in the original concept, had been replicated wholesale. "For me the design is the same, with a few minor differences," Brady stated. "But as there never was a swing wing ekranoplan carrier (for good reason) and every detail aside from that is carried over from my design, it seems cut and dried."
Following the increased attention on social media, Artstorm issued an apology. "Fair call, and apologies from us. Your design was used as a reference without proper clearance. We’ll contact you directly to make this right," the developer responded to Brady on X. Brady indicated that he would consider the matter resolved if the developer offers fair compensation, potentially treating it as a form of contract work.
The RF Bartini A-2000-7 is a high-value item within Modern Warships, requiring players to spend a significant amount of real money or in-game currency to unlock. Obtaining the ship through gacha mechanics could cost between $50 and $100, or require 7,000 to 15,000+ ArtCoins, which are typically purchased in bundles where 1,300 to 2,000 AC cost approximately $100. This pricing strategy has previously drawn criticism from players.
Many Steam reviews for Modern Warships express dissatisfaction with the game's monetization, with some users describing the developers as prioritizing profit over game balance and player enjoyment. "This game is absolutely terrible. The developers and moderators seem to be far more interested in making money from players than in making a balanced and enjoyable game. They are theives (sic)," one review reads.