Marathon delayed indefinitely after plagiarism controversy & player feedback

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As a passionate supporter, I’ve got some disappointing news to share: Due to a setback involving a design theft incident, Bungie has announced that the launch of Marathon will be postponed indefinitely.

Since Bungie announced the reboot of its beloved Marathon series in 2023, it has experienced a turbulent journey. The studio has endured two rounds of layoffs, resulting in the loss of 220 jobs, particularly in 2024. This instability was further compounded by frequent changes in leadership. The original game director, Chris Barrett, was dismissed for misconduct and is currently engaged in a lawsuit against both Bungie and Sony.

In May 2025, Bungie found themselves embroiled in a design plagiarism scandal when artist Fern “Antireal” Hook publicly accused them of copying visual elements from her 2017 poster. The studio later admitted to using her work without proper authorization.

On June 17, Bungie announced Marathon will no longer launch on September 23.

Marathon delayed as Bungie takes time to address player feedback

In their latest blog update, Bungie announced they’re pushing back the initial launch scheduled for September 23rd.

Regarding the updated launch date, they mentioned that they will get back to you towards the end of autumn, providing updates on our advancements and the anticipated release date for the game.

The delay is due to feedback received from the closed alpha in April, as identified by Bungie for aspects requiring enhancement. This player feedback, coupled with their own internal assessment, has led to a shift in focus for both gameplay and design.

Now, Bungie intends to concentrate on perfecting the survival aspects, developing more intricate and tactical battles, enhancing AI actions, and boosting environmental narrative. Additionally, the studio is working towards implementing advanced social features such as proximity chat, and improving both single-player and two-player interactions.

To address the recent artwork debate, Bungie clarified that the disputed asset was originally created by an ex-employee. The company pledges to thoroughly examine all game art and revise their internal procedures for giving credit to artists.

The closed testing will carry on through the summer months, and those who have participated during the alpha phase will be part of upcoming stages. Bungie has stressed that input from players will continue to guide the development process, with an increased focus on openness and honesty in their work.

As a gaming enthusiast, I’m eagerly waiting for the upcoming announcement of a release window for our next big adventure! Rest assured, Bungie is diligently working to create an experience that lives up to our expectations and steers clear of any past stumbles.

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2025-06-17 21:49