Marathon gets a permanent delay in order to address player feedback
After being silent for so long, Bungie surprised many earlier this year when they dated Marathon for release this September. However, after hosting a few alpha tests with players, they have decided to delay the game to an unknown release date, in order to address the feedback from players.
One of the things that really stood out for fans of the series was just how unlike the other games it looked like, it would be like a Mario game where he sports a trench coat and solves mysteries like a 1940s gumshoe. Nothing would be wrong with that of course, but it would not be what fans want from a new Mario game and the same is happening here.
When Marathon was announced, fans of the series were ecstatic to see the name come back, but upon learning it was an extraction shooter, set in a vibrant world, hope quickly turned to fear. While Bungie seem content to rush forward with the extraction shooter genre, it appears, based on the statement they released, that they are going for more of a familiar tone.
Given the lack of new release window, there is no telling how long the game will be silent for again, but one can only hope they fix the stolen art issues at the same time.
Thank you not only for your passionate feedback around the Marathon reveal and Alpha playtest, but also for your patience while we took the time to listen closely and chart our next steps.
Through every comment and real-time conversation on social media and Discord, your voice has been strong and clear. We've taken this to heart, and we know we need more time to craft Marathon into the game that truly reflects your passion. After much discussion within our Dev team, we’ve made the decision to delay the September 23rd release.
The Alpha test created an opportunity for us to calibrate and focus the game on what will make it uniquely compelling—survival under pressure, mystery and lore around every corner, raid-like endgame challenges, and Bungie’s genre-defining FPS combat.
We’re using this time to empower the team to create the intense, high-stakes experience that a title like Marathon is built around. This means deepening the relationship between the developers and the game’s most important voices: our players.
Over the next few months, we’ll continue closed testing(including participants from the Alpha) to deploy gameplay updates and test new features as they come online.
Some of our immediate focus areas will be:
Upping the Survival Game
More challenging and engaging AI encounters
More rewarding runs, with new types of loot and dynamic events
Making combat more tense and strategic
Doubling down on the Marathon Universe
Increased visual fidelity
More narrative and environmental storytelling to discover and interact with
A darker tone that delivers on the themes of the original trilogy
Adding more social experiences
A better player experience for solo/duos
Prox chat, so social stories can come to life
You’ll hear from us again later this Fall when we can share the progress we’ve made, alongside the game’s new release date. Thank you again for your patience and— much more importantly— your passion. Your continued feedback will help us make Marathon the incredible gaming experience we all know it can be.
