Bungie Postpones Marathon Launch, Promises New Release Date Announcement
Bungie has announced a delay for its highly anticipated extraction shooter, Marathon, as the studio aims to enhance gameplay and incorporate additional features. This decision comes in response to mixed feedback from players during the game’s alpha playtest and a plagiarism controversy that raised concerns about the originality of its art style. While a new release date has not been provided, Bungie plans to update fans on the game’s progress and the revised launch timeline this fall.
Marathon Delayed
In a recent update posted on its website, Bungie revealed that it has been closely monitoring player feedback following the reveal and closed alpha playtests of Marathon, which concluded in May. The studio acknowledged the need for more time to refine the game, stating, “We’ve taken this to heart, and we know we need more time to craft Marathon into the game that truly reflects your passion.” As a result, the planned release date of September 23 has been postponed.
Bungie emphasized that the alpha test provided valuable insights, allowing the team to focus on creating a game that offers a unique experience centered around survival, mystery, and lore. The studio aims to deliver intense, high-stakes gameplay that aligns with the expectations of its player base. “This means deepening the relationship between the developers and the game’s most important voices: our players,” Bungie added, highlighting its commitment to player engagement.
Changes Coming to Marathon
Bungie plans to conduct additional closed playtests over the coming months, during which it will introduce updates and new features for testers. The developer outlined several key changes aimed at enhancing the survival elements of Marathon. These include making AI enemy encounters more challenging and rewarding, as well as ensuring that combat remains tense and strategic.
Moreover, the narrative and environmental storytelling will undergo significant improvements, with a focus on adopting a darker tone that resonates with the themes of the original Marathon trilogy. Bungie also intends to enhance the game’s visual fidelity and introduce social features, such as proximity chat, to foster player interaction. “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,” the studio assured fans.
Marathon Plagiarism Controversy
Originally slated for release on PS5, PC, and Xbox Series S/X, Marathon is a reboot of Bungie’s classic trilogy from the 1990s. The game features team-based gameplay where groups of three “Runners” compete against rival teams and AI enemies to secure better gear and loot. However, the game’s launch faced complications when a Scottish artist accused Bungie of plagiarism, claiming that Marathon used elements from her work without permission.
In response to these allegations, Bungie acknowledged the situation and stated that a former employee had included the artist’s work in the game’s alpha build without proper credit. The studio committed to conducting a thorough review of Marathon’s in-game assets and reaching out to the artist to address the issue appropriately. This controversy adds to the challenges facing Sony’s live service strategy, as the company has recently scaled back its ambitions in this area, canceling several live service projects in development at its first-party studios.
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