Bungie's Marathon has finally received a release window and price six months after being indefinitely delayed due to community feedback. The live-service extraction shooter will launch on PlayStation 5 and PC in March 2026, priced at £34.99. This announcement follows various challenges, including leadership changes and a plagiarism scandal, which contributed to the game's negative reception during its alpha playtest. Additionally, Bungie shared a new gameplay breakdown, highlighting improvements to visual fidelity and new features such as proximity chat and a "solo scavenger experience."
What enhancements have been made to Bungie's Marathon since its alpha playtest?Bungie has implemented several enhancements since the alpha playtest, including improvements to visual fidelity, the addition of proximity chat, a Solo Runner queue, and a new gameplay mode called Rook, which offers a "solo scavenger experience."
Marathon, originally released in the 1990s, is a first-person shooter that laid the groundwork for Bungie's future successes, including the beloved Halo series. The upcoming reboot aims to revitalize the franchise for modern audiences, combining elements of extraction shooters with a rich lore and immersive gameplay, reflecting Bungie's commitment to evolving player experiences.
Comments
Nice to see Bungie addressing the alpha feedback with some solid QoL additions, especially that solo queue option. Honestly, after all the studio drama, a clean 2026 launch with polished features could be the reset this reboot needs.
It's cool to see Bungie taking player feedback seriously and adding features like proximity chat to really lean into the social dynamics of an extraction shooter. A 2026 release feels far off, but hopefully that extra time lets them nail the live-service elements that can make or break these games.