Bungie’s Marathon reveals gameplay and a release date

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Today, Bungie unveiled the launch date for their upcoming first-person shooter titled Marathon. This announcement came after a live stream featuring the development team and a disclosure that a closed alpha will be available to players who join the game’s Discord server. In the run-up to today’s reveal, Bungie has managed to build quite a bit of excitement, but there has also been a fair share of anticipation due to their past successes and recent industry trends. Known for creating iconic games like Halo and Destiny, Bungie has earned trust from the gaming community, but PlayStation’s live service games have shown some inconsistency in the last few years.

Bungie’s next multiplayer shooter, Marathon, reveals a release date for later this year

Today’s demonstration indicated that Marathon is a cooperative team shooter game, focusing on extraction missions. Assume the role of an enhanced character, equipped with unique strategies and skills. Initially, at least four characters will be available for play during the closed alpha test. These include Locus, a soldier built for advancement, Blackbird, specializing in reconnaissance, Glitch, the disruptor, and Void, the master of stealth. As multiple player teams engage on the same map with objectives, you’ll also encounter security robots and aliens that must be circumvented or eliminated, thus incorporating aspects of both Player vs Player (PvP) and Player vs Environment (PvE).

The trailer’s conclusion disclosed that the game is slated for release on September 23rd, 2025, and wishlists can be added across all platforms such as Xbox and Steam. Interestingly, even though Bungie is primarily associated with PlayStation, the closed alpha will commence on April 23rd. To participate, players are encouraged to join the Marathan Discord channel for details on obtaining an invite. It’s worth mentioning that this Closed Alpha will be subject to a Non-Disclosure Agreement (NDA) and primarily focused on North America. Unfortunately, if you’re playing from outside of North America on Steam, there might be connectivity issues. Additionally, PlayStation 5 codes are only valid in the Americas, so information about the game from these regions may remain scarce. However, it’s likely that some details will still find their way into the public domain.

Experiencing gameplay is enjoyable, but it may take some time before the general public can have a more direct interaction with Marathon, which could significantly influence its success. As I watch this live stream, I can’t help but reflect on PlayStation’s recent triumphs and setbacks in the realm of live service, first-person shooters.

Last year, Helldivers 2 surprised many by becoming a hit, but in terms of live service games, it’s more of an exception rather than the rule. Additionally, PlayStation experienced one of the most notorious game launches in recent history with Concord. This hero-based first-person shooter was closed down and taken off the market only two weeks after its release, and since then, the studio responsible has been shuttered. It is said that Concord cost Sony millions of dollars.

It’s been observed that gamers are increasingly tied to the live service environments, particularly on consoles. A fresh live service game not only boasts some of the fiercest competition in gaming, but it also requires a substantial, continuous engagement from its players to thrive. If “Marathon” manages to go free-to-play, it’s likely to attract many players initially. However, to retain those players and make them abandon their previous live service game, “Marathon” needs to be engaging enough to keep them hooked for a prolonged period. As “Marathon” is scheduled for launch in September, we should closely watch upcoming playtests and assess the player’s response.

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2025-04-12 22:02