Bungie's highly anticipated sci-fi extraction shooter, Marathon, finally emerges from radio silence with a developer update. Announced last year, the game has been shrouded in mystery until now.

Marathon: On Track for 2025 Playtests

After a year of silence, Game Director Joe Ziegler provided a much-needed update, confirming the game is progressing well, despite significant internal changes at Bungie. While gameplay footage remains under wraps, Ziegler revealed the game's core mechanics as a class-based extraction shooter. Players will select and customize "Runners," each possessing unique abilities. He showcased two potential Runners: "Thief" and "Stealth," hinting at their respective gameplay styles.

Extensive playtests are planned for 2025, offering a wider range of players the chance to participate. Ziegler encouraged fans to wishlist the game on Steam, Xbox, and PlayStation to show their interest and receive future updates.

A Modern Take on a Classic

Marathon is a fresh interpretation of Bungie's original 1990s trilogy, marking a significant departure from the Destiny franchise. While drawing inspiration from the series, it stands alone, accessible to newcomers while offering nostalgic nods to longtime fans. Set on Tau Ceti IV, players will team up or go solo, competing for valuable alien artifacts in intense extraction gameplay.

Initially conceived as a purely PvP experience with no single-player campaign, Ziegler hinted at potential additions to modernize the game and introduce a compelling narrative. Cross-play and cross-save functionality will be available across PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X|S.

Navigating Development Challenges

The extended development period is partly attributed to leadership changes within Bungie. Following the departure of the original project lead, Chris Barrett, Joe Ziegler stepped in as Game Director. Furthermore, significant staff reductions have impacted the studio's overall capacity.

Despite these challenges, the promise of 2025 playtests offers a glimmer of hope for fans eagerly awaiting the game's release. While a release date remains unannounced, the recent update suggests development is progressing, albeit cautiously.