Marathon: Bungie's Shooter Back on Track After Silence

Bungie's much-anticipated sci-fi extraction shooter, Marathon, has finally broken its yearlong silence with an exciting update from the game's director, Joe Ziegler. Initially unveiled during the PlayStation Showcase in May 2023, Marathon has since been shrouded in mystery, leaving fans eager for more details.

Bungie’s Marathon Resurfaces with New Developer Update

Marathon Game Release Date Still Far Off, But Playtests Are Planned for 2025

After a prolonged period of silence, Bungie has provided a much-needed update on their upcoming sci-fi extraction shooter, Marathon. First announced in May 2023, the game reignited nostalgia for Bungie's pre-Halo era while also capturing the attention of new gamers. However, the excitement was followed by a year of minimal information, leaving fans in suspense. Now, Marathon's Game Director, Joe Ziegler, has stepped forward with a comprehensive developer update to address the community's concerns.

Ziegler opened by addressing the fundamental question, "What is Marathon?" He described it as Bungie's unique take on the extraction shooter genre. While he couldn't share gameplay footage, Ziegler assured fans that the game is "on track" and that the development team has been making "aggressive changes" following extensive player testing. He also hinted at a class-based system where players can select and customize "Runners" with distinct abilities.

For now, Ziegler showcased screenshots of two potential Runners: "Thief" and "Stealth." He mentioned that their names should give players a hint about the gameplay style they represent.

Although detailed information is still sparse, fans can look forward to expanded playtests in 2025. While Bungie may have conducted smaller, closed playtests during their quiet period, Ziegler emphasized that they plan to significantly increase the number of participants in future tests. Although specific dates for these playtests remain undisclosed, Ziegler encouraged fans to wishlist the game on platforms like Steam, Xbox, and PlayStation to stay updated and show their interest.

Bungie's Marathon Overview

Marathon represents a reimagining of Bungie's early 1990s trilogy, marking their first major project outside the Destiny franchise in over a decade. According to former director Chris Barrett, the game isn't a direct sequel but rather a new entry within the same universe, designed to feel distinctly like a Bungie game.

Barrett emphasized that no prior knowledge of the original Marathon games is necessary to enjoy the new title, though it includes numerous references for fans to discover. Set on the desolate planet of Tau Ceti IV, Marathon is a high-stakes extraction shooter where players, known as Runners, battle for survival, riches, and fame. Players can team up with two others or go solo to scavenge for alien artifacts and valuable loot, all while facing the threat of rival crews and challenging extractions.

Barrett had initially stated that Marathon would focus on PvP gameplay without a single-player campaign, aiming to foster player-driven stories within the game's overarching narrative. With Joe Ziegler now leading the project, it's unclear whether these core concepts will remain unchanged. However, Ziegler promised to modernize the game with new elements and continue updating it to keep players engaged over time.

Despite the lack of gameplay footage, Bungie has confirmed that Marathon will be available on PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X|S, with cross-play and cross-save features across all platforms.

What Happened to Marathon’s Development?

In March 2024, Chris Barrett was reportedly removed from his position following allegations of inappropriate behavior, as reported by Bloomberg. Joe Ziegler, previously the game director of Riot Games’ Valorant, took over the role, likely steering the project in new directions. Additionally, Bungie faced significant layoffs this year, cutting approximately 17% of its workforce—220 employees in addition to 100 more from the previous year. These layoffs have undoubtedly impacted the development pace of Marathon.

Although a release date remains distant, the promise of expanded playtests in 2025 offers hope to fans. The recent Developer Update suggests that, despite the challenges, Marathon's development is progressing well, and fans can look forward to more news in the future.