After a year of silence, Bungie's Game Director finally offered an update on their upcoming sci-fi extraction shooter, Marathon. Initially revealed in 2023, details have been scarce until now.
Bungie's Marathon: A Developer Update
Release Date Distant, but Playtests Planned for 2025
Bungie’s *Marathon*, announced at the May 2023 PlayStation Showcase, has been shrouded in mystery. The project, a revival of Bungie's pre-*Halo* IP, generated considerable excitement but was quickly followed by a prolonged silence. Finally, a developer update from Game Director Joe Ziegler addressed fan concerns.Ziegler confirmed Marathon is an extraction shooter, though gameplay footage remains unavailable. He 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, showcasing two examples: "Thief" and "Stealth," implying their gameplay styles.
While details are limited, broader playtests are scheduled for 2025. Ziegler encourages players to wishlist the game on Steam, Xbox, and PlayStation to signal interest and receive updates.
Marathon: A Closer Look
A reimagining of Bungie's 1990s trilogy, *Marathon* marks Bungie's most significant departure from the *Destiny* franchise in over a decade. While not a direct sequel, it resides within the same universe, offering familiar elements for long-time fans and a welcoming experience for newcomers.Set on Tau Ceti IV, Marathon casts players as Runners competing for alien artifacts and valuable loot, either solo or in teams of three. Competition is fierce, with other crews vying for the same rewards and tense extractions under pressure.
Originally envisioned as a purely PvP experience with no single-player campaign, the current direction under Ziegler remains unclear. However, he mentioned adding features to modernize the game and introduce a new narrative arc with ongoing updates.
Gameplay footage remains under wraps, but Marathon is confirmed for PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X|S with cross-play and cross-save functionality.
Development Challenges
In March 2024, original project lead Chris Barrett's departure following allegations of misconduct (as reported by Bloomberg) and subsequent staff reductions (approximately 17% of the workforce) undoubtedly impacted development. Despite these setbacks, the 2025 playtests offer a glimmer of hope for fans eagerly awaiting Marathon's release.
