Marathon is not copying Arc Raiders’ “aggression-based” matchmaking

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So, I was reading an interview with the game director for Bungie’s new shooter, Marathon, and he said it’s not going to have that system where the game tries to match you with aggressive players like in Arc Raiders. That’s good news for me – I prefer not to be constantly targeted by super-competitive people when I just want to have fun!

These statements come from a translation of an interview with the Chinese media outlet Ali213, which covered a preview event for the game. The interview excerpts were posted online by the X/Twitter account Marathon Bulletin, and also translated using machine translation tools.

Just a heads-up – since the interviews were translated from another language using a machine, there might be a few slight differences in how things are worded. I’m still so excited to read them though!

Bungie says hostility is “core of the survival experience”

In a recent interview, Nadia Ziegler of Bungie stated that the upcoming Marathon game won’t have special systems to keep players who prefer non-violent gameplay separate from others. Instead, they’re planning to offer features like nearby voice chat so players can connect and team up naturally while playing.

The main element of surviving in Marathon is the constant worry about whether other players are enemies. This uncertainty is what makes each playthrough so different and unpredictable.

The full machine-translated segment reads:

We won’t create separate matchmaking for players who prefer to avoid combat. However, we’ll offer features like nearby voice chat so those players can find and connect with each other within the game.

The heart of the experience in Marathon is the tension and distrust created by not knowing if other players will attack. This uncertainty is what makes every fast-paced interaction so unpredictable.

Good news for Marathon players: the game won’t use matchmaking that separates players based on how aggressively they play, unlike ARC Raiders. The developers aren’t planning to create separate queues for players who prefer a less combative experience. Instead, they’re focusing on tools like in-game proximity chat to help players connect and communicate with each other, allowing those who prefer a different playstyle to find and team up with like-minded individuals within the game.

— Marathon Bulletin (@TauCetiGG) February 11, 2026

Unlike Arc Raiders, which connects players for PvP based on how much they enjoy fighting, Marathon seems to prioritize keeping things surprising and unpredictable.

Bungie describes Marathon as a game where you explore and fight, and you’ll encounter other players who could be either allies or enemies at any moment. According to recent statements, the studio seems to believe that keeping players on edge and unsure of what’s coming is a key part of what makes Marathon unique, more so than simply protecting them from attacks.

Marathon will be available on consoles and PC starting March 5, 2026. For more details about the game, check out our guides.

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2026-02-11 20:20