Bungie's Marathon Revived After Hiatus

Bungie's highly anticipated sci-fi extraction shooter, Marathon, finally breaks its year-long silence with a developer update. While a release date remains elusive, the update confirms the game is progressing well and playtests are planned for 2025.

Game Director Joe Ziegler assures fans that Marathon is "on track," undergoing significant changes based on extensive player testing. He revealed hints of a class-based system featuring customizable "Runners," showcasing two examples: "Thief" and "Stealth," names designed to suggest their respective gameplay styles.

While gameplay footage remains under wraps, Ziegler promises significantly expanded playtests in 2025, encouraging players to wishlist the game on Steam, Xbox, and PlayStation to stay informed.

Marathon, a reimagining of Bungie's classic trilogy, marks a significant departure from the Destiny franchise. It's designed as a PvP-focused experience set on Tau Ceti IV, where players scavenge for artifacts, compete for loot, and fight for survival, either solo or in teams of three.

While originally conceived without a single-player campaign, Ziegler suggests the addition of elements to modernize the game and introduce a new ongoing narrative.

The development journey hasn't been without challenges. The departure of original director Chris Barrett and significant staff reductions at Bungie have undoubtedly impacted the timeline. Despite these setbacks, the renewed communication offers hope that Marathon is steadily progressing towards its eventual release on PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X|S, with confirmed cross-play and cross-save functionality. The 2025 playtests provide a tangible milestone for eager fans.