Marathon Launches March 5: Bungie’s Shooter Returns
▼ Summary
– Bungie has announced a new release date of March 5th for its delayed extraction shooter, Marathon, which will be priced at $39.99.
– The game will be available on Xbox Series S/X, PlayStation 5, and PC, and is set in a sci-fi universe in the year 2850.
– Players take on the role of Runners, engaging in PvPvE combat in crews of up to three, where dying causes gear loss but surviving lets players keep and upgrade loot.
– The delay from an original September release followed alpha feedback and allowed for the addition of features like proximity chat and solo queue options.
– Marathon will now launch months after competitor ARC Raiders, a successful extraction shooter, despite Bungie’s original plan to release first.
The highly anticipated return of Bungie’s classic franchise now has a confirmed launch date. Marathon, the studio’s new extraction shooter, will officially release on March 5th for Xbox Series X/S, PlayStation 5, and PC. Originally slated for a September debut, the game will be priced at $39.99. This sci-fi title represents a significant new direction for the creators of Halo and Destiny, blending intense player-versus-player combat with environmental threats in a persistent online world.
Set in the year 2850, players assume the role of a Runner, tasked with scavenging valuable artifacts across dangerous planetary zones. Teams of up to three must navigate a hostile PvPvE environment, contending with both alien creatures and rival player squads. The core loop revolves around high-stakes extraction: if you die during a mission, you lose all the gear you were carrying. Successfully evacuating allows you to keep your loot, using it to become more powerful in subsequent runs. This risk-versus-reward gameplay is central to the extraction shooter genre.
The decision to delay the launch from its original September window came in June of last year. Bungie cited extensive feedback from alpha testing as the primary reason, using the extra time to refine mechanics and introduce new features. Recent playtests have included additions like proximity voice chat and a dedicated solo queue option, giving players more control over their experience. These adjustments aim to polish the competitive and social dynamics that are crucial for a live-service game’s longevity.
This new timeline places Marathon’s entrance into a more crowded market. It will arrive several months after ARC Raiders, another extraction shooter developed by Embark Studios, the team behind The Finals. ARC Raiders has maintained a strong presence, consistently ranking among Steam’s top five most-played games since its late October launch. Bungie had initially aimed to beat ARC Raiders to market, but the strategic delay suggests a focus on ensuring a more polished and feature-complete product for its dedicated community.
(Source: The Verge)
