By Sagar V. Mankar 
Viktor Antonov, the visionary art director known for his work on Half-Life 2 and Dishonored, has passed away at the age of 52. His death was confirmed by former Valve writer Marc Laidlaw through social media.
Born in Sofia, Bulgaria, Antonov’s journey in the gaming industry began after he moved to Paris at age 17. His creative vision would later shape some of the most memorable gaming environments, including Half-Life 2’s iconic City 17, which he based on his childhood hometown of Sofia, blending elements from Belgrade and St. Petersburg.
According to Laidlaw’s Instagram story, Antonov was remembered as “brilliant and original” who “made everything better.” (Thanks Eurogamer)
His impact on the gaming industry extended far beyond his early work at Valve, touching numerous acclaimed titles throughout his career including Counter-Strike: Source, Wolfenstein: The New Order, Fallout 4, Doom, and Prey.
His approach to game development was project-focused rather than company-centric, as he once shared in an interview: “I’m interested in projects, not in companies. I went to Valve specifically for Half-Life 2.”
Beyond video games, Antonov’s creative influence extended to animated films, where he co-authored movies like Renaissance and The Prodigies. He also worked with indie production company Darewise Entertainment, showcasing his versatility as an artist and designer.
Most recently, Antonov appeared in Valve’s 20th-anniversary documentary for Half-Life 2, discussing the inspirations behind his visual designs that helped shape one of gaming’s most influential titles.
His passing represents a significant loss to the gaming industry, but his legacy lives on through the memorable worlds he created and the countless developers he inspired throughout his career.
RIP Viktor Antonov!