Bungie's Marathon extraction shooter reboot - PC/PS5/Xbox

[Baron Dupek]

https://www.marathonthegame.com

Spoiler

after years of nothing we get... something



According to sources, Bungie is set to bring back the Marathon series with a new game that will be a 3-man squad extraction-based shooter.

The title is in a pre-alpha state, sources said, but it could be announced at any point given the industry’s competition for talent.

Marathon takes place on a planet that was previously home to a human colony that vanished, with humans (now sparse) using highly-customization cyborgs called “Runners” to gather loot, it was said.

It’s understood that the gameplay loop of Marathon is similar to most extraction-based shooters; choose a mission, buy and choose your loadout, drop into the map, hunt for loop and complete missions, and then extract safely.

Just like with most extraction-based shooters, it’s understood that you lose all of your loot if you’re unfortunate enough to die.

The game is intended to be the “ultimate example of a living game”, it was said. Seasonal rewards and progression will be a huge part of the game, which isn’t surprising considering Bungie’s success with the Destiny series and its live services.

This will be the first non-Destiny title the studio has developed in over a decade.

Marathon was first released in 1994, with two sequels to the title coming in 1995 and 1996. The original title achieved around 200,000 units sold by 2002.

In 2019, Bungie CEO Pete Parsons suggested in an IGN interview that the studio will have a new game by 2025. “So, by 2025 we have a pretty specific path to make sure we transform Destiny and that we have other franchises within the marketplace.”, Parsons said.



In 2018, Bungie also filed for a trademark called “Matter” under “video game software” and “electronic games services provided by means of the internet or other communication network.”

Bungie was contacted several times before the publication of this report, but did not respond. Bungie’s PR agency was also contacted and acknowledged the request, but did not respond.

Are you excited for Bungie to bring back Marathon? More details to come…

For more exclusives and news, check out our article on Disney wanting a new video game every 6 months!

WTF is extraction shooter? Pump and dump with bonus child support avoidance?

also - not making separate thread until we get more stuff like videos, screenshots or "yes, we're working on it!" and Gianni is our new Durandal

Myth when?

 

[ironmask]

WTF is extraction shooter?

Extraction shooters are games like tarkov or hunt. You’re dropped into a map with other players and you fight for loot like a battle royale. If you die with the loot you lose it and people can steal it, if you extract with it you keep it.

 

[Morgoth]

It's a Gaas.

 

[toughasnails]

That sounds fucking dumb, basically chasing another MP shooter trend that might even fizzle out by the time this is released (if the rumors are true).
Extra dumb bc you'd think Sony would want their own Halo as 1. they appear to have given up on their older story driven FPS franchises, 2. actual Halo fanbase appears to be unsatisfied with the direction the series went post Bungie, 3. they actually have fucking Bungie now. So you would think that if they are reviving Marathon they would go for something to compete with Halo, not for their entry into MP FPS flavor of the day.

 

[Morpheus Kitami]

I see someone was holding the monkeypaw when they asked for a new Marathon game.

 

[blessed king of longing]

I see someone was holding the monkeypaw when they asked for a new Marathon game.

stale take. marathon should never have been shelved in the first place, and extraction shooter type games can be a lot of fun. if it does alright, the IP itself might make a return. the fact that this is happening at all is a good thing.

 

[ADL]

become a runner in bungie's new sci-fi pvp extraction shooter. compete for survival, riches, and renown in a world of evolving, persistent zones, where any run can lead to greatness.

Marathon is currently in development for playstation 5, xbox series x/s, and pc with full cross play and cross save.

Since MMORPG forum is the place for the likes of Dark and Darker and Tarkov

Announcement Q&A

MARATHON ANNOUNCEMENT Q&A: SCOTT TAYLOR AND CHRISTOPHER BARRETT​

Today you announced Marathon – the first entirely new project announcement from Bungie in more than a decade. How hard has it been keeping this under wraps for so long?

Scott Taylor: So hard! It’s so wild to be talking about this in front of the world. I mean it’s been under wraps for so long, but as a team, we’ve been completely immersed in developing this world behind closed doors at Bungie. Even though there’s still a long way to go before release, it’s fantastic to be able to open up (even just a little) and share what we’ve all been working on.

The name “Marathon” obviously conjures up visions of the original game from 1994 but this is something new.

Christopher Barrett: Finding the right balance is one of the most fun parts of development! We have a tremendous amount of respect for the original Marathon games and, from the very start, we’ve wanted to honor that, especially the mythology, story, and themes of the world. At the same time, our vision for this game is something new. It’s not a direct sequel to the originals, but something that certainly belongs in the same universe and that feels like a Bungie game. Finding those opportunities to nod to the universe’s lore, while also getting to build something different and new has been one of the best parts of developing this game so far.

It’s our aim to create something incredible both for players who are completely new to the Marathon world and for those that have been waiting years for more stories in the Marathon universe. You don’t need to know anything about Marathon to understand or play this game, but if you do, we’ve made the experience with references and deep cuts you’ll recognize.

You mentioned that Marathon will “feel” like a Bungie game. What does that mean for you?

CB: There are many elements to what makes a Bungie game. To me, it runs the gamut from the incredible feel of the weapons to beautiful and evocative world building, rich in lore, immersion, and opportunities for incredible adventure.

With Marathon, one of the areas that is a big focus for us is our player-based storytelling. The original Marathon games revealed story moments through terminals, all in text. But now we have so many more ways to immerse players in this world, both in and out of game. We’ll be carrying that through in the design of this game.

Our design philosophy here is to have players affect the story of the world through their choices and their actions. This approach also lets us shape the overall narrative direction of the game experience while giving players a direct sense of agency and power.

Marathon is designed from the start as a PVP-focused game and won’t have a single-player campaign. Instead, with the PVP experience as our foundation, we’re creating opportunities for player-driven stories to unfold, stories that are integrated with the overarching game narrative. We’re building a world full of persistent, evolving zones, where players create their own journey with every run they take. That might mean an unforgettable firefight against another crew vying for the same loot, or a last-second extraction while beset on all sides.

Beyond just the “story of your last run” however, we want to give players the chance to affect these persistent zones and the larger world as a result. For example, imagine a crew discovering a previously undiscovered artifact that, when activated, opens a new area of the map for all players to explore. In essence, we’re creating a game where the actions of players can have ramifications for the world and players with each unfolding season.

So, a new kind of storytelling for Bungie. What else will feel new for players?

CB: Well, it’s a PvP-first game, something we’ve never done before. That means a focus on all the things that people think about when they think of great competitive experiences. Things like creating moments of tension, and building weapons that look, feel, and sound amazing. We also want to make sure players have tons of strategic choices, both in terms of the gear available and their loadouts, but also on the ground in terms of tactical options, entrance and exfil points, and so on.

Beyond those fundamentals, we’re also focused on approachability and competitive integrity, which are huge points of emphasis for us. We’re prioritizing security and focusing on vigorous anti-cheat measures, as well as dedicated servers, global data centers, active community conversation and feedback, and more. Ultimately, we want to ensure that the competitive experience in Marathon is fair and fun for every player.

‘Extraction shooter’ brings to mind players dying, losing their stuff, tedious gear management, a huge time investment to get back what was lost, and so on. How is the team approaching these kinds of issues with Marathon?

CB: This is something we think about on a regular basis. We want the game to have a sense of danger and tension, we want to it to be thrilling, and to always have the sense that “this run is going to be unforgettable.” At the same time, it’s true that the traditional extraction genre tropes can be frustrating, especially for new players.

One of the ways we’re addressing this is by making the core fantasies of survival and extraction fun, clear, and easy to understand. We want people to quickly understand fundamentals like healing, or oxygen, or how to organize their gear. After all, if they get those things intuitively there’s much more room for tactical thinking and creativity. You know, it’s our job to create the fun and the fantasy, not the busy work and tedium.

The second thing is – and I can’t talk too much about this right now – is that there are so many ways to win in Marathon, and only some of them require getting out alive. In essence, we think there’s an opportunity for players to still have fun, to be fulfilled and rewarded even if they don’t make it to an exfil.

Do you only fight other players in Marathon?

CB: The heart of Marathon’s gameplay experience is PvP but it isn’t the entire story. We’re building a rich, immersive world that will have ample opportunities for exploration and conflict – both against other players and AI-controlled enemies. Combine that with the different objectives and motivations that players will have for each run, as well as the narrative doors that can be unlocked as players discover things and accomplish tasks, and it creates this really rich palette of gameplay possibilities that will only continue to grow and evolve.

 

[ind33d]

become a runner in bungie's new sci-fi pvp extraction shooter. compete for survival, riches, and renown in a world of evolving, persistent zones, where any run can lead to greatness.

Marathon is currently in development for playstation 5, xbox series x/s, and pc with full cross play and cross save.
https://www.marathonthegame.com/

Since MMORPG forum is the place for the likes of Dark and Darker and Tarkov

Announcement Q&A

MARATHON ANNOUNCEMENT Q&A: SCOTT TAYLOR AND CHRISTOPHER BARRETT​

Today you announced Marathon – the first entirely new project announcement from Bungie in more than a decade. How hard has it been keeping this under wraps for so long?

Scott Taylor: So hard! It’s so wild to be talking about this in front of the world. I mean it’s been under wraps for so long, but as a team, we’ve been completely immersed in developing this world behind closed doors at Bungie. Even though there’s still a long way to go before release, it’s fantastic to be able to open up (even just a little) and share what we’ve all been working on.

The name “Marathon” obviously conjures up visions of the original game from 1994 but this is something new.

Christopher Barrett: Finding the right balance is one of the most fun parts of development! We have a tremendous amount of respect for the original Marathon games and, from the very start, we’ve wanted to honor that, especially the mythology, story, and themes of the world. At the same time, our vision for this game is something new. It’s not a direct sequel to the originals, but something that certainly belongs in the same universe and that feels like a Bungie game. Finding those opportunities to nod to the universe’s lore, while also getting to build something different and new has been one of the best parts of developing this game so far.

It’s our aim to create something incredible both for players who are completely new to the Marathon world and for those that have been waiting years for more stories in the Marathon universe. You don’t need to know anything about Marathon to understand or play this game, but if you do, we’ve made the experience with references and deep cuts you’ll recognize.

You mentioned that Marathon will “feel” like a Bungie game. What does that mean for you?

CB: There are many elements to what makes a Bungie game. To me, it runs the gamut from the incredible feel of the weapons to beautiful and evocative world building, rich in lore, immersion, and opportunities for incredible adventure.

With Marathon, one of the areas that is a big focus for us is our player-based storytelling. The original Marathon games revealed story moments through terminals, all in text. But now we have so many more ways to immerse players in this world, both in and out of game. We’ll be carrying that through in the design of this game.

Our design philosophy here is to have players affect the story of the world through their choices and their actions. This approach also lets us shape the overall narrative direction of the game experience while giving players a direct sense of agency and power.

Marathon is designed from the start as a PVP-focused game and won’t have a single-player campaign. Instead, with the PVP experience as our foundation, we’re creating opportunities for player-driven stories to unfold, stories that are integrated with the overarching game narrative. We’re building a world full of persistent, evolving zones, where players create their own journey with every run they take. That might mean an unforgettable firefight against another crew vying for the same loot, or a last-second extraction while beset on all sides.

Beyond just the “story of your last run” however, we want to give players the chance to affect these persistent zones and the larger world as a result. For example, imagine a crew discovering a previously undiscovered artifact that, when activated, opens a new area of the map for all players to explore. In essence, we’re creating a game where the actions of players can have ramifications for the world and players with each unfolding season.

So, a new kind of storytelling for Bungie. What else will feel new for players?

CB: Well, it’s a PvP-first game, something we’ve never done before. That means a focus on all the things that people think about when they think of great competitive experiences. Things like creating moments of tension, and building weapons that look, feel, and sound amazing. We also want to make sure players have tons of strategic choices, both in terms of the gear available and their loadouts, but also on the ground in terms of tactical options, entrance and exfil points, and so on.

Beyond those fundamentals, we’re also focused on approachability and competitive integrity, which are huge points of emphasis for us. We’re prioritizing security and focusing on vigorous anti-cheat measures, as well as dedicated servers, global data centers, active community conversation and feedback, and more. Ultimately, we want to ensure that the competitive experience in Marathon is fair and fun for every player.

‘Extraction shooter’ brings to mind players dying, losing their stuff, tedious gear management, a huge time investment to get back what was lost, and so on. How is the team approaching these kinds of issues with Marathon?

CB: This is something we think about on a regular basis. We want the game to have a sense of danger and tension, we want to it to be thrilling, and to always have the sense that “this run is going to be unforgettable.” At the same time, it’s true that the traditional extraction genre tropes can be frustrating, especially for new players.

One of the ways we’re addressing this is by making the core fantasies of survival and extraction fun, clear, and easy to understand. We want people to quickly understand fundamentals like healing, or oxygen, or how to organize their gear. After all, if they get those things intuitively there’s much more room for tactical thinking and creativity. You know, it’s our job to create the fun and the fantasy, not the busy work and tedium.

The second thing is – and I can’t talk too much about this right now – is that there are so many ways to win in Marathon, and only some of them require getting out alive. In essence, we think there’s an opportunity for players to still have fun, to be fulfilled and rewarded even if they don’t make it to an exfil.

Do you only fight other players in Marathon?

CB: The heart of Marathon’s gameplay experience is PvP but it isn’t the entire story. We’re building a rich, immersive world that will have ample opportunities for exploration and conflict – both against other players and AI-controlled enemies. Combine that with the different objectives and motivations that players will have for each run, as well as the narrative doors that can be unlocked as players discover things and accomplish tasks, and it creates this really rich palette of gameplay possibilities that will only continue to grow and evolve.

I think an extraction shooter with Bungie gunplay could be very good. Unfortunately Marathon will strangle Doctor Disrespect's FPS in the crib

 

[ADL]

Bungie as a studio is an interesting prospect for an extraction shooter. For the past couple months it seems like every week or two Bungie has won settlements in the millions against cheat makers for Destiny. Hopefully that continues because cheating completely ruined Tarkov.

 

[Eisen]

Why a extraction shooter?

 

[Wunderbar]

Another one of those purple-palette multiplayer clown shooters.

 

[Clockwork Knight]

https://www.bungie.net/7/en/News/article/slrecap
According to the general director and the game director, they're aware of the things that tend to annoy people about the genre

​

‘Extraction shooter’ brings to mind players dying, losing their stuff, tedious gear management, a huge time investment to get back what was lost, and so on. How is the team approaching these kinds of issues with Marathon?
CB: This is something we think about on a regular basis. We want the game to have a sense of danger and tension, we want to it to be thrilling, and to always have the sense that “this run is going to be unforgettable.” At the same time, it’s true that the traditional extraction genre tropes can be frustrating, especially for new players.
One of the ways we’re addressing this is by making the core fantasies of survival and extraction fun, clear, and easy to understand. We want people to quickly understand fundamentals like healing, or oxygen, or how to organize their gear. After all, if they get those things intuitively there’s much more room for tactical thinking and creativity. You know, it’s our job to create the fun and the fantasy, not the busy work and tedium.
The second thing is – and I can’t talk too much about this right now – is that there are so many ways to win in Marathon, and only some of them require getting out alive. In essence, we think there’s an opportunity for players to still have fun, to be fulfilled and rewarded even if they don’t make it to an exfil.

 

[Rocket-Propelled Game]

I'm just wondering where the lore will fit into wrt the OG trilogy. I think there was a Sp'ht floater in the trailer for a split second.

 

[Rahdulan]

Hold up. Marathon as an extraction shooter? Is Bungie serious?

 

[Taka-Haradin puolipeikko]

 

[Dayyālu]

Of all the things I didn't expect in 2023, a Marathon reboot/remake/sequel wasn't one of them.

I'm not entirely sure it's going to work. Marathon is a weird beast, you play it more for the.... ambience, the banter and some weapons. Some of its design choices are good, but the basic maps are often obtuse and boring.

Also, who the fuck is left of the original talent at Bungie? Aren't they going from failure to failure? Who knows. Marathon's fanbase is obsessive, even if small. I'm curious about the reactions.

EDIT: Oh god it's a PvP battle royale

Dead in three weeks

What the FUCK they are thinking

 

[toughasnails]

I see someone was holding the monkeypaw when they asked for a new Marathon game.

stale take. marathon should never have been shelved in the first place, and extraction shooter type games can be a lot of fun. if it does alright, the IP itself might make a return. the fact that this is happening at all is a good thing.

One plays a game for the game it is, not for the title or the name of the developer. And so, I've no automatic interest in a Marathon game just because it shares those two external elements.
Doesn't help that I've no interest in MP-only games anymore anyway. Which is what this indeed is:

 

[SharkClub]

Willing to bet Bungie was working on some unrelated sci-fi extraction shooter when Sony bought them out, then Sony got them to rebrand it and plug some Marathon iconography and organisation names into it. Because as we all know by now, big AAA publishers have this consistent idea that even if the old IP they are using is long-dead, as long as it exists at all it is better than taking a risk on a brand new IP. A good example of this is that 2012 Syndicate FPS game by EA, it could have been a completely new IP but EA slapped Syndicate on it just cuz. Old IPs create buzz and speculation even if it's clear the new game will be nothing like the older ones, they generate free press coverage; "Wow, this series hasn't had an entry since 1996!"

Not a single thing about this game's trailer speaks "Marathon" to me, it looks like a more fluorescent NeoTokyo more than anything.

 

[Vityaz]

Pvp-only extraction shooter? Pass.

What an absolute waste of a universe.

 

[Nifft Batuff]

Save throw from remake.

 

[Caim]

Why a extraction shooter?

A battle royale with an emphasis on slow, tactical and methodical gameplay instead of running around like a madman and shooting everyone.

Think if PUBG got knocked up by Arma and both drank heavily during the pregnancy.

 

[ironmask]

I see someone was holding the monkeypaw when they asked for a new Marathon game.

stale take. marathon should never have been shelved in the first place, and extraction shooter type games can be a lot of fun. if it does alright, the IP itself might make a return. the fact that this is happening at all is a good thing.

One plays a game for the game it is, not for the title or the name of the developer. And so, I've no automatic interest in a Marathon game just because it shares those two external elements.
Doesn't help that I've no interest in MP-only games anymore anyway. Which is what this indeed is:

Yeah I hate what this looks like already.

 

[Hobo Elf]

At least the name kinda fits the game genre/type/whatever, but otherwise I'm confused by the idea of them digging up the Marathon IP of all things. Not that there was much of of a legacy to be trampled anyway. Marathon was never that great of a series to begin with. I agree with Dayyālu that Marathon has some neat ambience but as a game it's not that interesting and there's a reason why it's never part of the vernacular when discussing 90s shooters.

 

[ADL]

Funny to see this finally coming to fruition when it was mentioned all the way back in the Activision contract ten years ago. If Destiny hit certain milestones, Activision was to allocate resources to Bungie for work on a Marathon project.

Bungie just put this vidoc out.

 

[Lemming42]

Not that Marathon needs remaking, but they're insane not to cash in on a remake. With the buzz surrounding the System Shock remake, they'd basically have a bit of a free marketing thing - "you liked System Shock? why not try the other game from 1994 that was about running around on a cavernous space vessel, getting shot at while a rogue AI laughs at you!"