Joseph Cross, the art director on Marathon, has left Bungie as the studio prepares for a March 2026 launch. The change was flagged after Cross updated his LinkedIn and removed the ‘present‘ status for Bungie, showing an end date in 2025. Kotaku later reported the departure as well. Bungie and Cross have not issued a public comment. I am super confused, like… how is this game going to survive if these types of issues occur even before its release happens? Like there hasn’t been anything smooth about Marathon so far…
Marathon is Bungie’s multiplayer shooter that was re-revealed this month and set for March 2026; the game was delayed from an earlier September 23, 2025 window amid controversy over several art assets. Bungie confirmed the new timing in their recent announcement and roadmap, which set the March 2026 release date and pricing details internally.
There is no public explanation for Cross’s exit. Such occurences like this one can come down to personal choices, project shifts, or internal changes as a game nears final milestones. With launch preparations now visible on the schedule, Bungie will likely name a replacement or redistribute art leadership as the team finishes work for next March.
The departure adds another layer to an already bumpy run for the franchise. Marathon’s development has included delays and public discussion about its art direction, and the team has been more visible about addressing those concerns since the re-reveal earlier this month.
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Marathon
Developed by Bungie
A PvP-focused extraction shooter set on the mysterious planet of Tau Ceti IV, Marathon will see players inhabit the bodies of Runners, cybernetic mercenaries who have been designed to survive the planet’s harsh environments and explore the lost colony that once inhabited Tau Ceti’s surface. Players will engage solo or in crews of three, searching for mysterious alien artifacts, as well as for valuable loot and new weapons and gear that they can add to their collection.
- Genre: Shooter
- Platforms: Xbox Series X|S, PC (Microsoft Windows), PlayStation 5
- Modes: Multiplayer, Battle Royale
- Publisher: Bungie
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Age Rating:
GRAC 15+
