Marathon's Game Director has finally provided a much-anticipated update on Bungie's upcoming sci-fi extraction shooter, Marathon. Initially announced in 2023, the project had been shrouded in mystery until now.

Bungie’s Marathon Resurfaces with New Developer Update

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

After over a year of silence, Bungie has finally shared new details about their eagerly awaited sci-fi extraction shooter, Marathon. First revealed at the PlayStation Showcase in May 2023, Marathon has stirred excitement among fans, evoking nostalgia for Bungie’s pre-Halo era while attracting a new audience. However, updates had been scarce until now. The recent developer update from Marathon’s Game Director, Joe Ziegler, addresses the community's burning questions and provides fresh insights into the game's progress.

Ziegler opened the update by clarifying the essence of Marathon, describing it as Bungie’s venture into the extraction shooter genre. Although he couldn’t share gameplay footage, he reassured fans that the game is "on track" and that significant changes have been made following extensive testing with players. He also hinted at a class-based system where players can select and customize "Runners" with unique abilities. Screenshots of two potential Runners, "Thief" and "Stealth," were revealed, suggesting diverse gameplay styles based on their names.

Looking ahead, fans can anticipate expanded playtests in 2025, although the exact dates remain undisclosed. Ziegler mentioned that these playtests will include a significant number of players, offering more opportunities for community involvement. He encouraged fans to wishlist the game on platforms like Steam, Xbox, and PlayStation to stay updated on the latest developments.

Bungie's Marathon Overview

Marathon represents a modern reimagining of Bungie’s classic 1990s trilogy, marking the studio's first significant project outside the Destiny franchise in over a decade. Former director Chris Barrett emphasized that while Marathon isn’t a direct sequel, it firmly belongs within the same universe and embodies the essence of a Bungie game. The game is designed to be accessible to newcomers while incorporating nods and references for longtime fans.

Set on the desolate planet of Tau Ceti IV, Marathon is a high-stakes extraction shooter where players, known as Runners, fight for survival, riches, and fame. Players can team up with two others or venture solo to scavenge for alien artifacts and valuable loot. However, they must be wary of rival crews and the challenges of last-second extractions.

Originally, Barrett stated that Marathon would focus on PvP gameplay without a single-player campaign, emphasizing player-driven stories integrated with the game's overarching narrative. With Joe Ziegler now leading the project, it remains to be seen if this focus will shift, though Ziegler has promised to modernize the game and introduce new elements to the story and world.

Bungie is keeping gameplay footage under wraps until the final product is ready, but Marathon is confirmed for release 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 dismissed from Bungie amid allegations of inappropriate behavior, leading to Joe Ziegler's appointment as the new game director. Ziegler's experience from directing Riot Games’ Valorant likely influenced a change in development priorities. Additionally, Bungie faced significant layoffs this year, with about 17% of their workforce, or 220 employees, being let go, in addition to 100 layoffs the previous year. These reductions have undoubtedly affected the studio's development capacity, contributing to a slower progress on Marathon.

Despite the distant 2025 release date, the promise of expanded playtests offers hope to fans. The recent Developer Update signals that, despite challenges, Marathon's development is moving forward, keeping the community engaged and eager for more information.