Bungie is still working on Marathon, despite the challenges the venerable developers of Halo and Destiny have face in the last 12 months. There have been reports that Bungie Marathon was in trouble following large layoffs at the studio, but all indications are that work on this new extraction shooter is still in progress.
We’ll be honest: it’s been a while since we’ve heard any official Marathon news. The game was first announce in 2023, and not much has been reveale since after Bungie was purchase by PlayStation Studios.
Nevertheless, given the success of the most recent Destiny expansion (which we gave a great review for), it remains one of the most anticipate PS5 titles. While we all wait and I keep an eye out for more information, let’s catch you up on all that Marathon has reveale thus far.
Bungie Marathon Overview
Date Founded | May 1, 1991 |
Headquarters | Chicago, Illinois, United States |
Parent Company | Sony Interactive Entertainment |
Known For | Halo, Destiny |
Developer(s) | Bungie (Mac, Pippin) Soli Deo Gloria (iOS) |
Publisher(s) | Bandai (Pippin) Bungie (Mac) Soli Deo Gloria (iOS) |
Designer(s) | Jason Jones Greg Kirkpatrick Reginald Dujour Alex Seropian |
What is a Marathon?
For those who are unfamiliar with the series, Bungie first gain recognition for Halo and Destiny with the Marathon trilogy. After a 27-year hiatus, Bungie Marathon is returning to the universe it created with these early first-person shooters that were release for Mac OS between 1994 and 1996.
This is the first entirely new project from Bungie in over a decade! A PvP-focus extraction shooter, this new Bungie Marathon game will pit you against other players for wealth, notoriety, and survival in a constantly changing environment.
Gameplay and Setting
Marathon is set on an enigmatic planet where thirty thousand people have mysteriously disappeare. It’s a science fiction PvP extraction shooter. Competitors will fight for fame, fortune, and survival. On the game’s website, Bungie has provide a gameplay trailer.
The “runners” that the players assume will be venturing into uncharted territory. The objective of the game is to become famous and well-known in a hostile setting.
The sequel to Bungie’s 1994 title of the same name is called Marathon. This series is almost ten years older than Bungie’s well-known Halo franchise. One of the earliest games to use first-person shooters (FPS) was Marathon.
Release Date
There is no set date for the official release of Marathon. Leaks indicating the game may be postpon have stoked conjecture. The game’s current loose release window is set for 2025.
Platforms and Cross-Play Features
Marathon is being develope on several different systems. The PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, and PC will all be able to play it. Complete cross-play and cross-save functionality will be include in the game. Players will be able to carry over their progress on various platforms thanks to these features. These features are anticipate to improve the gaming experience by giving players more accessibility and flexibility across a range of devices.
Marathon will be Multiplayer-only
There won’t be a single-player campaign in Marathon. Bungie is constructing Marathon with “the PVP experience as our foundation,” but Christopher Barrett, the director of games, asserts that the experience still relies heavily on narrative, going beyond the story-driven tales that extraction shooters are so good at creating. “PvP is the core of the gameplay in Marathon, but it’s not the whole narrative.
We’re creating a deep, engaging environment with lots of room for exploration and combat, both with AI-controll foes and other players. This creates a really rich palette of gameplay options that will only expand and change when combine with the various goals and incentives that players will have for each run and the story doors that can be unlock as players learn new things and complete tasks.”
Conclusion
The highly anticipated PvP extraction shooter Bungie Marathon is situate in a futuristic setting. Although a formal release date has not been set, 2025 is anticipated. Bungie is pushing forward with the game despite obstacles in the way, such as layoffs, and promises a multiplayer, cross-platform experience with a compelling story and dynamic gameplay.