Bungie's 'Marathon' Returns After Extended Hiatus

Bungie's Marathon: A Sci-Fi Extraction Shooter Returns from Radio Silence

After a year of silence, Bungie's upcoming sci-fi extraction shooter, Marathon, finally received a much-anticipated update. Initially unveiled at the May 2023 PlayStation Showcase, the game reignited interest in Bungie's pre-Halo era while captivating a new generation of players. However, the initial excitement was followed by a prolonged period without news.

Game Director Joe Ziegler's update directly addressed community concerns. He confirmed Marathon's status as an extraction shooter, clarifying its gameplay style. While gameplay footage remains unavailable, Ziegler assured fans the game is progressing well, undergoing significant revisions based on extensive player testing. He teased a class-based system, featuring customizable "Runners" with unique abilities. He showcased two Runners, "Thief" and "Stealth," whose names hint at their respective gameplay styles.

Expanded playtests are planned for 2025. While limited internal testing may have occurred previously, Ziegler confirmed a broader player base will be involved in future milestones, offering fans opportunities to participate. He encouraged players to wishlist the game on Steam, Xbox, and PlayStation to demonstrate interest and facilitate communication about future updates.

Marathon: A New Chapter in a Classic Universe

Marathon represents a reimagining of Bungie's 1990s trilogy, marking the studio's most significant departure from the Destiny franchise in over a decade. While not a direct sequel, it remains true to the original universe and embodies the classic Bungie feel. Previous statements indicated no single-player campaign, focusing instead on PvP and player-driven narratives integrated within the overarching story. While Ziegler's update didn't explicitly confirm this, he did mention adding elements to modernize the game and introduce a new story and world with ongoing updates.

Set on Tau Ceti IV, Marathon casts players as Runners battling for survival, wealth, and glory. Players can team up or go solo, scavenging artifacts and loot, but face competition from other crews or the pressure of last-second extractions under fire.

Marathon is slated for release on PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X|S, with confirmed cross-play and cross-save functionality.

Behind the Scenes: Challenges and Changes

The development of Marathon has faced challenges. The departure of the original project lead, Chris Barrett, following allegations of misconduct, and subsequent layoffs impacting a significant portion of Bungie's workforce, likely contributed to the extended development period. However, Ziegler's update suggests the project is progressing positively despite these setbacks.

While a release date remains unannounced, the promise of expanded playtests in 2025 offers a glimmer of hope for eager fans. The update signals a renewed commitment to transparency and community engagement, suggesting a smoother path forward for Marathon's development.