Marathon, Bungie’s latest extraction shooter attempt, is facing serious challenges that may prevent it from gaining traction. From gameplay issues to a plagiarism scandal, the game’s future looks uncertain just months before launch.
The Core Idea and Its Challenges
The concept behind Marathon was to create a game that appeals to both casual players and hardcore extraction shooter fans. However, this balance seems elusive. The extraction genre’s inherent risk—losing loot and progress—makes it challenging for newcomers to stick with it. Meanwhile, experienced players find Marathon too simplified compared to titles like Escape from Tarkov.
Many players who tried the game or watched streams have noted that it neither satisfies the casual crowd nor the hardcore community. The game’s approach to looting, combat pacing, and revival mechanics has drawn criticism for feeling watered down.
Gameplay and Player Reception
Gameplay impressions have been lukewarm. While shooting mechanics are functional, they don’t match the high standards Bungie set with previous hits. The hero-based system, featuring invisibility and wallhacks, clashes with typical extraction shooter expectations and removes the option for fully customized characters, which many players prefer.
Adding to the difficulty, Marathon launched its Closed Alpha alongside ARK Raiders, a more traditional and polished extraction shooter that steadily gained players and viewers. In contrast, Marathon saw a decline in player count and Twitch viewership during its Alpha phase.
Concerns About Future Content and Pricing
The game is expected to launch with limited content—just a couple of new heroes and a few maps—at a price point around $40. This raises questions about value, especially since the game feels best played with friends rather than solo, and features like proximity chat and solo modes remain uncertain.
The development team’s recent livestream mainly focused on minor balance tweaks, with little mention of addressing major player concerns. This has left many feeling that the game’s core issues remain unaddressed.
Plagiarism Controversy
A significant blow to Marathon came with revelations that an ex-Bungie artist allegedly copied a substantial amount of art from independent artist ANTIREAL. The similarities are striking enough that Bungie is auditing the game’s assets to assess the extent of the issue. This controversy has overshadowed the game’s distinct style, leading to widespread criticism and memes mocking the situation.
The scandal has damaged the game’s reputation, making it difficult for players to separate the art theft from the game itself. It also raises questions about Bungie’s internal oversight and quality control.
What’s Next for Marathon?
Cancellation seems unlikely given the years of development and Sony’s investment, but a delay might be necessary. However, a delay alone may not fix the basic problems with the game’s design or its tarnished image.
Industry observers expect Marathon to struggle at launch, with low player numbers and potential layoffs at Bungie. While the studio’s flagship Destiny series remains strong, this new project could be a setback.
It’s a challenging situation for Bungie, and the coming months will be telling. I’ll keep following the story and share updates as they come.
What do you think about Marathon and its current troubles? Share your thoughts below!
