Marathon devs backflip on game’s most controversial feature

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The contentious aspect of Marathon, the aim-assist feature for PC players utilizing mouse and keyboard, is being eliminated shortly following the developers receiving criticism for integrating it in the first place.

As a gamer, I’ve been fortunate enough to secure a spot in the closed alpha of Marathon, but it seems that the number of participants is quite restricted compared to the massive crowd eagerly watching online. Regardless, the comments and suggestions are steadily accumulating for Bungie, offering valuable insights into what we, the gaming community, love, dislike, or expect from this game.

343 Industries, known for creating Halo and Destiny, are experimenting with a new take on a rescue-themed shooter. However, initial feedback hasn’t been overwhelmingly favorable; some critics have even suggested that the game should be postponed to make improvements in key features.

Among various concerns, one matter has emerged as particularly contentious among players on PC, with vocal criticism directed towards a specific game feature. Following a strong wave of criticism over the past week, developers have announced their decision to eliminate PC aim assist entirely, leaving no room for debate or compromise.

Marathon devs to remove PC aim assist

According to the initial announcements for the upcoming Week 2 update during the Closed Alpha phase, which will be released soon, the PC aim assist feature will no longer function.

In the game’s updates, the term “Mouse Magnetism” mentioned in the notes is being taken out, as well as “Aim Assist on PC.” This means that there won’t be an option to turn these features on or off, leading to a more leveled playing experience for all players.

To ensure fairness for all users, we’re removing that option completely from the settings menu. This means console players won’t benefit from enhanced aim assistance that might otherwise give them an unfair advantage.

In the future, playing Marathon will be similar to other First-Person Shooter games on a PC, requiring you to use your mouse skills and aim accurately to succeed.

If the mouse aim assist feature is still included when the game launches, I doubt I would participate in a marathon at all, as it made each PVP encounter seem artificial and lacking depth.

— TacticalBrit (@TheTacticalBrit) April 24, 2025

Just a few days ago, the sentiment expressed by individuals like Shroud was that Bungie was potentially compromising the quality of Marathon by prioritizing console gamers through this particular feature. In simpler terms, he had stated, “Mouse and keyboard players feel disadvantaged.

It seems they’re aiming to make the game compatible across consoles and PCs for crossplay. However, I worry this could negatively impact the PC version of the game.

Now, it’s clear Bungie heard these complaints and the studio is acting to mitigate all concerns.

Marathon Closed Alpha Week 2 update patch notes

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2025-04-30 03:18