Bungie offers updates on Marathon following recent layoffs.
Bungie presented some concept art and little else about Marathon, which is still scheduled for release in 2025.
Bungie has kept a low profile regarding its upcoming extraction game, Marathon, which is set to launch in 2025. Recently, the game's director, Joe Ziegler, confirmed that development is progressing, but it is still too early to reveal more details. In a nearly ten-minute video, Ziegler presented two new concept illustrations: one of a character nicknamed “Thief” and another of an enemy known as “Stealth.” Although no concrete details were provided about these entities, their names suggest different gameplay styles.
In the video, the basics of the game were reaffirmed, and it was explained how it connects with the existing Marathon franchise. Ziegler mentioned that many elements of the game are at various stages of development, which prevents them from showcasing more content at the moment. The team is expected to expand playtesting to more players by mid-2025, which could bring more information. Ziegler assured that significant changes and intensive adjustments have been made to the game. For instance, while the environments are taking shape, the character models are not yet finalized.
The dynamics of Marathon involve players taking on the role of a Runner, who must explore maps on the planet Tau Ceti IV and fulfill objectives to survive. Each Runner will have unique skills that can be customized with different gear. An interesting aspect is that if players fail to extract, they will lose all accumulated items. This title is a continuation of one of Bungie's earliest franchises, which originated in 1994. Ziegler noted that the new Marathon will incorporate elements from the original installment, such as its eerie atmosphere, but will present a “new story” in a “new world.” Since its reveal at the PlayStation presentation in May 2023, there has been little news about the game, and Bungie has faced a series of internal changes, including layoffs and restructuring within its parent company, Sony Interactive Entertainment.
Bungie will focus more on improving Destiny 2 and the development of Marathon, while a new studio works on an original sci-fi/fantasy action game.
