Marathon, Bungie’s Extraction Shooter, Claimed to be \"On Track\" After Yearlong Radio Silence

Bungie's highly anticipated sci-fi extraction shooter, Marathon, finally breaks its year-long silence with a developer update. Initially revealed at the May 2023 PlayStation Showcase, the game, a spiritual successor to Bungie's classic trilogy, has been shrouded in mystery until now.

Game Director Joe Ziegler confirmed the game's progress, stating it's "on track" despite significant internal changes based on extensive player testing. While gameplay footage remains unavailable, Ziegler teased a class-based system featuring customizable "Runners," showcasing initial concepts for the "Thief" and "Stealth" characters. Their names, he hinted, provide clues to their respective playstyles.

Planned for 2025 are expanded playtests, offering a broader player base the chance to experience Marathon. Ziegler urged fans to wishlist the game on Steam, Xbox, and PlayStation to signal interest and facilitate future communication.

Marathon, set on Tau Ceti IV, casts players as Runners competing for valuable alien artifacts. Players can team up or go solo, facing off against rival crews or navigating perilous extractions. While initially conceived as purely PvP, Ziegler hinted at narrative additions and world-building enhancements.

The update also addressed the leadership change following the departure of original director Chris Barrett. Joe Ziegler, formerly of Riot Games, now leads development, alongside navigating recent staff reductions at Bungie. Despite these challenges, the promise of 2025 playtests offers a glimmer of hope for fans eagerly awaiting Marathon's release on PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X|S, with confirmed cross-play and cross-save functionality.