Key takeaways
- Modern Warships developer Artstorm admitted to using concept artist Alex Jay Brady's 2014 ekranoplan design without permission or compensation.
- The game replicates not just the design but also its engineering flaws, including engines that wash across the flight deck and aircraft that launch backward.
- The ekranoplan sells for up to $700 in-game while Artstorm has yet to determine compensation terms with Brady.
- Gaijin, the War Thunder publisher behind Modern Warships, faces questions about its asset oversight and approval processes.
A naval warfare mobile game has found itself in the center of a plagiarism controversy after an independent concept artist discovered their original design had been incorporated into the title without permission. Alex Jay Brady, who creates and shares original artwork across social media, spotted their ekranoplan concept being used in Modern Warships, the PvP naval combat game developed by Artstorm. Rather than attempt to quietly use the design, Artstorm acknowledged the usage publicly and stated it intended to work directly with Brady toward a resolution.
The Discovery and Artist’s Response
Brady initially posted about the incident on X, noting the unauthorized use while acknowledging that Artstorm’s implementation improved upon the original sketches. “I did not give @ModernWarships permission to use my ekrano design,” Brady wrote, adding that the game version looked “much more detailed than my sketches.” Rather than demand immediate removal, Brady signaled openness to a commercial arrangement, writing that had the developer simply asked and offered compensation, there would have been no conflict. The post highlighted a common issue in game development where designs become appropriated without artist consultation or credit.
The Ekranoplan and Its Origins
What is an Ekranoplan?
Brady’s original design from 2014 depicted an ekranoplan, a concept that blends characteristics of aircraft and watercraft. These ground effect vehicles are designed to glide just above water surfaces by exploiting aerodynamic principles, sometimes referred to colloquially as “magic” by mechanical engineers unfamiliar with the precise physics involved. The original sketch existed as a piece of speculative industrial design, shared publicly across the artist’s portfolio without expectation of commercial use or protection from copying.
Brady’s Detailed Breakdown
In a conversation with IGN, Brady provided specifics about how closely Artstorm adhered to the original design. The developer cloned most elements, with Brady noting that “the design is the same, with a few minor differences.” This fidelity extended even to technical flaws present in the original concept artwork, errors Brady had made during creation that carried no functional purpose in a military vessel context.
The Design Mistakes That Shipped
The ekranoplan in Modern Warships inherits several problems from Brady’s speculative artwork. Engine placement results in exhaust washing across the flight deck, a configuration that would disable any aircraft attempting to launch. Aircraft depicted in the design take off backward rather than into the wind, a fundamental violation of aviation principles. Brady acknowledged these were mistakes born from unfamiliarity with naval engineering and vehicle design at the time of creation, yet Artstorm replicated every flaw wholesale without correction or refinement. This created a vehicle in the game that violates basic operational logic while maintaining visual fidelity to the original concept.
Artstorm’s Public Acknowledgment
Rather than attempting to minimize or deflect criticism, Artstorm responded directly to Brady via X with a candid admission. “Fair call, and apologies from us,” the developer posted on October 5, 2026. “Your design was used as a reference without proper clearance. We’ll contact you directly to make this right.” The public nature of this exchange contrasts sharply with how many studios handle intellectual property disputes, typically through private legal channels or silence. Artstorm’s willingness to admit fault suggests either genuine commitment to resolution or recognition that the evidence was overwhelming enough to warrant transparency.
The Monetization Problem
Premium Pricing for Appropriated Content
The controversy gains additional weight when considering the in-game cost of the ekranoplan vessel. According to IGN’s analysis, players can acquire this ship through two methods: spending between $50 and $100 on gacha-style random spins, or paying as much as $700 for direct purchase. These prices position the vehicle among the game’s premium offerings, meaning Artstorm generated revenue from a design used without compensation to the original creator. The pricing structure raises questions about the developer’s knowledge at the time of implementation, whether this was deliberate monetization of appropriated content or an oversight.
Player Base and Market Reach
Modern Warships operates with a modest but active community, with several hundred concurrent players at any given time. While this scale is far smaller than competitor World of Warships, it represents sufficient audience reach to generate meaningful revenue from premium vessel sales. The game is published by Gaijin, the company behind the far larger War Thunder, a free-to-play military vehicle simulator with millions of players. This publishing arrangement makes the plagiarism incident more puzzling, as Gaijin’s experience with large-scale gaming properties and intellectual property considerations should theoretically extend to its published titles.
Publisher Oversight and Industry Patterns
Gaijin’s Role and Questions
Modern Warships exists within Gaijin’s publishing portfolio, yet the incident raises questions about what oversight processes exist for designs and assets entering their games. War Thunder itself maintains strict adherence to historical accuracy and proper military vehicle representation, suggesting the company possesses frameworks for evaluating whether content meets certain standards. The ekranoplan’s obvious engineering flaws would have been detectable had anyone conducted basic technical review before implementation.
A Broader Problem
This situation reflects a recurring problem in game development where visually striking designs become priorities while provenance and permissions receive insufficient attention. Independent artists frequently find their work replicated in games, fan projects, and commercial applications without compensation or credit. Brady’s relatively measured response, asking for compensation rather than demanding removal, may actually understate the severity of the violation, yet it demonstrates a pragmatic approach by an artist who recognizes that legal action often costs more than most independent creators can afford.
Moving Forward
Artstorm’s stated intention to contact Brady directly and “make this right” remains vague regarding specifics. Resolution could involve financial compensation, credit within the game, or some combination thereof. The timeline and terms remain unknown, though public commitment to resolution may provide pressure toward genuine action rather than letting the matter fade from attention. Other artists have reason to examine whether their own work appears in Modern Warships without credit, particularly given how systematically the ekranoplan design was reproduced.
Source: Kotaku
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Alex Jay Brady?
Alex Jay Brady is a concept artist who regularly posts original designs to social media. Brady created the ekranoplan design in 2014 as speculative artwork depicting a ground effect vehicle that glides above water surfaces.
What is an ekranoplan?
An ekranoplan is a ground effect vehicle, a hybrid between an aircraft and watercraft that glides just above water by exploiting aerodynamic principles. Brady's 2014 design served as the basis for the ship now appearing in Modern Warships.
How much does the ekranoplan cost in Modern Warships?
According to IGN's analysis, the ship costs between $50 and $100 through random gacha-style spins, or as much as $700 for direct purchase.
