Bungie's Marathon: Back on Track After a Year of Silence
Bungie's highly anticipated sci-fi extraction shooter, Marathon, has resurfaced after over a year of radio silence. Game Director Joe Ziegler recently provided a much-needed update, confirming the project is "on track" despite significant internal changes at Bungie.
Initially announced at the May 2023 PlayStation Showcase, Marathon generated considerable excitement, reviving interest in Bungie's pre-Halo legacy while attracting a new generation of players. However, the initial announcement was followed by a prolonged period without updates, fueling speculation amongst fans.
Ziegler's update addressed this silence directly, clarifying that Marathon is a class-based extraction shooter where players choose and customize unique "Runners" with distinct abilities. He showcased two Runners, "Thief" and "Stealth," hinting at their gameplay styles through their names. While gameplay footage remains unavailable, Ziegler emphasized significant internal adjustments based on extensive playtesting.
Crucially, Ziegler announced plans for expanded playtests in 2025, inviting a larger player base to participate in key development milestones. He encouraged fans to wishlist the game on Steam, Xbox, and PlayStation to signal interest and facilitate future communication.
The game's vision, originally spearheaded by Chris Barrett, envisions a PvP-focused experience without a single-player campaign. Barrett's departure from Bungie in March 2024, following allegations of misconduct, led to Ziegler taking the reins and potentially influencing the game's direction. Despite recent layoffs impacting Bungie's workforce, Ziegler assured fans that development continues, incorporating updates to modernize the game and its narrative.
Marathon, a reimagining of Bungie's 1990s trilogy, is set on Tau Ceti IV. Players, as Runners, compete for alien artifacts and valuable loot, either solo or in teams of three. The game will feature cross-play and cross-save functionality across PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X|S. While a release date remains undisclosed, the renewed communication and planned playtests offer a glimmer of hope for eager fans. The future of Marathon, however, is still unfolding, particularly given the considerable challenges Bungie has faced recently.
