Marathon Delayed Indefinitely

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It seems that Bungie’s live-action shooter game, Marathon, won’t be released as planned on September 23rd. Instead, they’ve confirmed that the game will experience a delay, with no exact release date given at this time.

In a recent blog post, Bungie stated that they have been listening carefully to every comment and live chat on social media platforms like Twitter and Discord. They understand that the upcoming Marathon game should embody the same enthusiasm shown by the community, hence they’ve decided to postpone the initial release date of September 23rd. This decision was reached after extensive discussions among the Bungie development team, aiming to create a game that truly resonates with your passion.

Bungie mentioned that the Marathon alpha test allowed them to fine-tune and emphasize elements that would make the game distinctly captivating.

Bungie stated that they are utilizing this period to bolster their team in crafting the gripping, high-pressure adventure that a game like Marathon demands. Essentially, they want to strengthen the bond between the developers and the game’s primary influencers – our players.

The programmer mentioned that they’ll be spending the upcoming months conducting tests on Marathon within a private setting, with the aim of fine-tuning and enhancing the user experience prior to its public debut.

The developer mentioned some aspects they plan to work on with Marathon. These are:

1. Gameplay mechanics: They want to refine and polish the core mechanics that define the gameplay experience.
2. Art direction: The team is aiming to elevate the visual style and aesthetic appeal of the game.
3. Sound design: They plan to improve the audio elements, including music, sound effects, and voice acting.
4. Performance optimization: The goal is to ensure a smooth and stable gaming experience for players across different platforms.
5. Community engagement: Bungie intends to collaborate more closely with their player base to gather feedback and incorporate it into the development process.

  • 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

Bungie announced that they will return this fall with updates on the advancements they’ve achieved, along with unveiling the revised launch date.

Once more, I appreciate your patience and, most notably, your enthusiasm. Your ongoing input is crucial in transforming Marathon into the exceptional gaming journey that we all believe it can become, as expressed by Bungie.

Marathon’s postponement was recently announced, following closely on the heels of Sony’s statement about their continued dedication to live-service projects, despite some setbacks. The company has implemented new measures to prevent Marathon from experiencing the same issues as Concord.

According to Hermen Hulst, PlayStation’s leader, responses from Marathon’s recent alpha testing were mixed, but Sony still sees the live-service sector as an exciting prospect for their company. In a highly competitive market of live-service multiplayer games, Hulst expressed that Concord was not unique enough to stand out.

As a dedicated gamer, I’ve taken a long, hard look at our game development procedures, aiming to grasp the reasons behind why that specific game didn’t live up to our promises, and more importantly, how we can avoid repeating those missteps in the future.

Marathon intends to produce a game that’s both daringly original and incredibly immersive, according to Hulst. Feedback from the Marathon alpha test was varied, but Hulst believes that early previews like this are crucial for gathering insights, which can later be applied to refine and enhance the final product.

He mentioned that the continuous process of testing, making improvements, and then retesting is a crucial element in ensuring the success of a live service, not just before the launch, but also during the entire lifespan of the game.

In response to the dispute concerning Marathon, specifically Bungie’s admission of discovering stolen artwork assets, Hulst chose not to voice his opinion.

In the realm of free-to-play games, a game that requires payment yet offers minimal content might not instill the same level of trust in others as it does in me about Bungie’s upcoming title.

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2025-06-17 21:41