Marathon: Bungie's Extraction Shooter Rebounds from Silence

Bungie's Marathon: A Year of Silence, a Promise of Playtests

After a year of radio silence, Bungie’s upcoming sci-fi extraction shooter, Marathon, finally received a much-anticipated developer update. Initially unveiled at the May 2023 PlayStation Showcase, the game, a revival of Bungie's pre-Halo legacy, generated significant excitement but quickly faded into obscurity.

Game Director Joe Ziegler addressed the community's concerns, confirming the game's progress and describing it as Bungie's interpretation of the extraction shooter genre. While gameplay footage remains elusive, Ziegler assured fans that development is "on track," highlighting substantial revisions based on extensive player testing. He teased a class-based system featuring customizable "Runners," showcasing early designs for "Thief" and "Stealth" characters.

Expanded playtests are slated for 2025, offering a broader player base the opportunity to participate in the game's development. Ziegler urged fans to wishlist Marathon on Steam, Xbox, and PlayStation to signal interest and facilitate future communication.

A Fresh Take on a Classic

Marathon is a reimagining of Bungie's 1990s trilogy, marking a significant departure from the Destiny franchise. While not a direct sequel, the game is set within the same universe and aims to capture the essence of a classic Bungie title. It's designed to be accessible to newcomers while offering nostalgic nods for longtime fans. Set on Tau Ceti IV, players, as Runners, compete for valuable alien artifacts, either solo or in teams of three, facing off against rival crews and perilous extraction scenarios.

Initially conceived as a purely PvP experience without a single-player campaign, Ziegler hinted at potential additions to modernize the game and introduce a new narrative arc. Cross-play and cross-save functionality are confirmed across PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X|S.

Challenges and the Road Ahead

The extended development period can be partially attributed to the March 2024 departure of original project lead Chris Barrett, following allegations of misconduct, and subsequent staff reductions affecting approximately 17% of Bungie's workforce. Despite these setbacks, the promise of 2025 playtests offers a glimmer of hope for fans eagerly anticipating the game's release.