Bungie's Marathon: A Developer Update After a Year of Silence
After over a year of radio silence, Bungie's highly anticipated sci-fi extraction shooter, Marathon, finally received a much-needed developer update. Initially unveiled at the May 2023 PlayStation Showcase, the game, a revival of Bungie's pre-Halo legacy, generated significant excitement but was quickly followed by a prolonged period without news.
Game Director Joe Ziegler addressed the community, confirming the game's ongoing development and emphasizing significant gameplay revisions based on extensive player testing. While gameplay footage remains unavailable, Ziegler confirmed the game is "on track" and hinted at a class-based system featuring customizable "Runners" with unique abilities. He showcased two Runners, "Thief" and "Stealth," suggesting their names offer clues to their respective playstyles.
Expanded playtests are planned for 2025, offering a broader player base the chance to participate in the game's development. Ziegler encouraged fans to wishlist Marathon on Steam, Xbox, and PlayStation to demonstrate interest and facilitate communication regarding future updates.
A Reimagining of a Classic
Marathon reimagines Bungie's 1990s trilogy, marking a significant departure from the Destiny franchise. While not a direct sequel, it's set within the same universe, incorporating familiar elements for longtime fans while remaining accessible to newcomers. The game, set on Tau Ceti IV, casts players as Runners competing for valuable alien artifacts in high-stakes extraction matches, either solo or in teams of three. Competition involves not only environmental challenges but also other player teams vying for the same loot.
Initially conceived as a purely PvP experience without a single-player campaign, the game's future direction under Ziegler's leadership remains to be seen. However, he indicated the addition of elements to modernize the game and introduce a new narrative arc.
Marathon is confirmed for release on PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X|S, with cross-play and cross-save functionality. While gameplay footage remains under wraps, the developer update offers a glimmer of hope, suggesting the game is progressing despite recent challenges faced by Bungie.
Development Challenges
The development of Marathon has faced hurdles. The departure of original project lead Chris Barrett in March 2024, following allegations of misconduct, and subsequent layoffs impacting approximately 17% of Bungie's workforce have undoubtedly impacted the development timeline. Despite these setbacks, the promise of 2025 playtests offers a degree of reassurance to eager fans.
