PlayStation Boss Aims to Avoid Concord Mistakes with Marathon
▼ Summary
– Bungie’s Marathon reboot faces skepticism due to concerns about Sony’s live service strategy, Destiny’s history, and potential delays despite a September 2023 launch target.
– PlayStation Studios’ Hermen Hulst emphasized Sony’s commitment to live service games but acknowledged challenges, citing Concord’s failure as a lesson in differentiation.
– Sony has implemented stricter development validation processes post-Concord to avoid repeating mistakes and ensure better investment decisions.
– Hulst described Marathon as “bold, innovative, and engaging,” with rigorous testing cycles and analytics to refine the game before launch.
– Bungie’s future may hinge on Marathon’s success, as Destiny 2 declines and studio morale plummets amid internal issues and Sony’s growing impatience.
The upcoming reboot of Bungie’s Marathon faces mounting pressure to succeed, especially after Sony’s recent live-service stumble with Concord. PlayStation Studios head Hermen Hulst recently addressed concerns during an investor-focused discussion, emphasizing rigorous new processes to avoid repeating past mistakes. While stopping short of confirming delays, his comments revealed cautious optimism mixed with intense scrutiny as the September launch window approaches.
Hulst acknowledged Concord’s failure stemmed from a lack of differentiation, prompting Sony to overhaul its development validation methods. “We’ve introduced much stricter processes to reassess creative, commercial, and technical assumptions continuously,” he explained. For Marathon, this means relentless testing, including closed alpha feedback and advanced analytics, to refine the extraction shooter before release.
Despite the polished corporate language, Hulst’s admission that player reactions have been “varied” stands out. Most executives wouldn’t highlight divisive feedback for a marquee title just months from launch. His transparency suggests Sony is prioritizing long-term viability over hype, acutely aware that another misstep could jeopardize Bungie’s future. Reports of plummeting morale at the studio, compounded by Destiny 2’s decline, add urgency to Marathon’s success.
Sony’s fiscal documents still list Marathon for a 2025 release, leaving wiggle room until March 2026. But with Concord’s ghost looming, Hulst’s focus on “constant iteration” signals a no-compromise approach. The stakes couldn’t be higher, for Bungie’s survival and Sony’s live-service ambitions. Whether the extra scrutiny translates into a standout game remains to be seen, but one thing’s clear: failure isn’t an option.
(Source: PCGAMER)
