Marathon, Bungie’s Extraction Shooter, Claimed to be \"On Track\" After Yearlong Radio Silence

Bungie's Marathon: A Developer Update After a Year of Silence

After a year of radio silence, Bungie's Game Director, Joe Ziegler, finally provided an update on their upcoming sci-fi extraction shooter, Marathon. Initially announced at the May 2023 PlayStation Showcase, the game generated significant excitement, but information remained scarce until now.

Marathon's Release Date Remains Distant, but Playtests are Planned for 2025

Ziegler confirmed that Marathon is progressing well, undergoing significant revisions based on extensive player testing. While gameplay footage remains unavailable, he revealed a class-based system featuring customizable "Runners" with unique abilities. He showcased two Runners, "Thief" and "Stealth," suggesting their names hint at their gameplay styles.

Expanded playtests are scheduled for 2025, offering a wider player base the chance to participate. Ziegler urged fans to wishlist the game on Steam, Xbox, and PlayStation to demonstrate interest and facilitate communication regarding updates.

Overview of Bungie's Marathon

Marathon is a reimagining of Bungie's classic 1990s trilogy, marking their significant departure from the Destiny franchise. While not a direct sequel, it's set within the same universe and retains a distinct Bungie feel. No prior knowledge of the original Marathon is required to enjoy the game.

Set on Tau Ceti IV, Marathon is a competitive extraction shooter where players (Runners) team up or go solo to collect alien artifacts and valuable loot. Players might encounter rival crews or face perilous extractions.

Originally envisioned as a PvP-focused game without a single-player campaign, Ziegler hinted at additions to modernize the game and introduce a new narrative arc with ongoing updates. Cross-play and cross-save functionality are confirmed across PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X|S.

Development Challenges Faced by Bungie

In March 2024, the original project lead, Chris Barrett, was dismissed following allegations of misconduct. Joe Ziegler subsequently took over as Game Director. Furthermore, Bungie experienced substantial workforce reductions (approximately 17%), impacting development timelines.

Despite the setbacks, the planned 2025 playtests offer a positive outlook, suggesting the game is progressing, albeit at a slower pace than initially anticipated.