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

Marathon, Bungie’s Extraction Shooter, Claimed to be 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 2023 PlayStation Showcase, the game quickly generated excitement, but details remained scarce until now.

Bungie's Marathon: A Developer Update

A Distant Release, But Playtests on the Horizon for 2025

Game Director Joe Ziegler addressed community questions, confirming *Marathon* as Bungie's take on the extraction shooter genre. While gameplay footage remains under wraps, Ziegler assured fans the project is progressing well, undergoing significant revisions based on extensive player testing. He teased a class-based system featuring customizable "Runners" with unique abilities, showcasing initial concept art for two Runners: "Thief" and "Stealth," hinting at their respective playstyles.

Marathon, Bungie’s Extraction Shooter, Claimed to be Larger-scale playtests are planned for 2025, expanding upon previous, more limited internal testing. Ziegler encouraged fans to wishlist the game on Steam, Xbox, and PlayStation to show their interest and receive updates.

A Look at Bungie's Marathon

A reimagining of Bungie's classic 1990s trilogy, *Marathon* marks Bungie's significant departure from the *Destiny* franchise after over a decade. While not a direct sequel, it's firmly rooted in the original universe, offering familiar elements for long-time fans while remaining accessible to newcomers.

Set on Tau Ceti IV, Marathon casts players as Runners battling for survival, wealth, and glory. Players can team up or go solo, scavenging for artifacts and valuable loot, but face competition from rival crews and the perilous challenge of extraction. The game's PvP focus and lack of a single-player campaign were previously confirmed.

Marathon, Bungie’s Extraction Shooter, Claimed to be While Ziegler's update promises modernization and a new storyline, the core PvP focus remains. Gameplay footage will be revealed closer to release. Marathon is slated for release on PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X|S, with cross-play and cross-save functionality.

Challenges Faced During Development

The change in game director, following the departure of Chris Barrett in March 2024, and significant staff reductions (approximately 17% of the workforce) likely contributed to the extended development timeline. Despite these setbacks, the recent update suggests development is progressing positively, albeit with a delayed release date. The promise of expanded playtests in 2025 offers a glimmer of hope for eager fans.