Bungie's Sci-Fi Extraction Shooter, Marathon: A Developer Update After a Year of Silence

Marathon's Release Date Remains Distant, But Playtests Are Planned for 2025

After over a year of radio silence, Bungie finally offered a much-anticipated update on their upcoming sci-fi extraction shooter, Marathon. Initially unveiled at the May 2023 PlayStation Showcase, the game generated considerable excitement, rekindling memories of Bungie's pre-Halo era while captivating a new generation of players. However, the initial announcement was followed by a prolonged period without news.

Game Director Joe Ziegler addressed the community's concerns directly in the recent update. He confirmed Marathon's status as Bungie's entry into the extraction shooter genre, clarifying its core concept. While gameplay footage remained unavailable, Ziegler assured fans the project is progressing as planned, revealing significant gameplay adjustments based on extensive player testing. He hinted at a class-based system featuring customizable "Runners," each possessing unique abilities.

Two Runners, "Thief" and "Stealth," were showcased via screenshots, their names offering clues to their respective playstyles.

Though details remain limited, Ziegler announced expanded playtests for 2025. While Bungie may have conducted smaller internal tests, broader participation is now planned. He emphasized the importance of players adding the game to their wishlists on Steam, Xbox, and PlayStation, stating it will help gauge interest and facilitate future communication.

A Look at Bungie's Marathon

Marathon is a reimagining of Bungie's classic 1990s trilogy, marking their most significant departure from the Destiny franchise in over a decade. While not a direct sequel, it's firmly rooted in the original universe and retains a distinctly "Bungie" feel, incorporating familiar elements for longtime fans while remaining accessible to newcomers.

Set on the harsh landscape of Tau Ceti IV, Marathon casts players as Runners competing for survival, wealth, and glory. Players can team up in squads of three or embark on solo missions, scavenging for alien artifacts and valuable loot. Competition is fierce, however, with the possibility of encountering rival crews or facing perilous last-second extractions.

Initially conceived as a purely PvP experience without a single-player campaign, Marathon's future direction under Ziegler's leadership remains to be seen. However, Ziegler's update promises the addition of elements designed to modernize the game and introduce a fresh narrative and world, with ongoing updates planned.

Gameplay footage remains under wraps until Bungie is fully satisfied with the final product. The game is confirmed for PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X|S, with cross-play and cross-save functionality across all platforms.

The Development Journey of Marathon

In March 2024, original project lead Chris Barrett was reportedly dismissed from Bungie following allegations of misconduct. Joe Ziegler, formerly of Riot Games, subsequently took over as game director, likely impacting development. Further complicating matters, Bungie experienced significant layoffs this year, affecting approximately 17% of its workforce. This undoubtedly slowed the development process.

Despite the setbacks and the anticipated 2025 playtests, the developer update provides a measure of reassurance for fans eagerly awaiting Marathon's release.