Marathon, Bungie’s Extraction Shooter, Claimed to be \"On Track\" After Yearlong Radio Silence

After a year of silence, Bungie’s Game Director finally offered an update on their upcoming sci-fi extraction shooter, Marathon. Initially unveiled at the May 2023 PlayStation Showcase, the project has been shrouded in mystery until now.

Bungie's Marathon: A Developer Update

A Distant Release, But Playtests on the Horizon for 2025

Game Director Joe Ziegler addressed community concerns directly. He confirmed *Marathon* as Bungie's take on the extraction shooter genre, revealing that the game is progressing well despite the long silence. While gameplay footage remains unavailable, Ziegler highlighted significant gameplay revisions based on extensive player testing. He teased a class-based system featuring customizable "Runners" with unique abilities, showcasing early concept art for two Runners: "Thief" and "Stealth." Their names, he hinted, suggest their respective gameplay styles.

Ziegler announced expanded playtests for 2025, aiming to significantly increase player participation in future testing phases. He urged fans to wishlist the game on Steam, Xbox, and PlayStation to demonstrate interest and facilitate future communication.

A Look at Bungie's Marathon

A reimagining of Bungie’s 1990s trilogy, *Marathon* marks Bungie's first major departure from the *Destiny* franchise in over a decade. While not a direct sequel, it’s set within the same universe and retains a distinctly Bungie feel. Previous statements indicated the game would be a PvP-focused experience without a single-player campaign, aiming to generate player-driven narratives within the overarching story.

Set on Tau Ceti IV, Marathon casts players as Runners battling for survival, wealth, and glory. Players can team up in squads of three or go solo, scavenging for alien artifacts and valuable loot, while potentially facing rival crews or perilous last-second extractions.

While Ziegler's update didn't clarify the current state of the single-player aspect, he did mention plans to incorporate elements that modernize the game and introduce a new narrative arc, with ongoing updates planned.

Gameplay footage remains under wraps until Bungie is satisfied with the final product. However, cross-play and cross-save functionality are confirmed across PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X|S.

Behind the Scenes: Development Challenges

Reports from March 2024 indicated the departure of the original project lead, Chris Barrett, following allegations of misconduct. Joe Ziegler subsequently took over as game director. Further complicating matters, Bungie experienced significant workforce reductions this year, impacting development timelines.

Despite the setbacks and a 2025 playtest window, the developer update suggests that development is proceeding, albeit cautiously. The promise of broader playtesting offers a glimmer of hope for fans eagerly awaiting the game's eventual release.