The American studio has unveiled news about its upcoming extraction shooter, Marathon, in a nine-minute video featuring director Joe Ziegler. He shared insights on the game’s development, emphasizing its intense survival experience within a monster-filled universe. While it’s still early in production, the game is progressing well with internal testing already conducted. Teasers of characters and environments hint at the game’s direction, with more details and playtests expected in 2025 for PC, PS5, and Xbox Series.
Will Marathon Finally Launch?
In a recent nine-minute video, Bungie shared updates about their upcoming project, Marathon. The studio’s director, Joe Ziegler (known for his work on Valorant), replaced Chris Barret and discussed the development of this exciting extraction shooter. While specifics remain under wraps, Ziegler expressed excitement about the game’s progress and direction.
The core concept revolves around an extraction shooter set in a rich universe from their past IP. Players will navigate through a hostile environment filled with monsters and adversaries to loot, complete objectives, and survive the encounters. According to Ziegler, the game promises an “intense” experience, stating: “It’s a game that’s not for everyone, but if you’re looking for a thrilling survival experience where the stakes matter, Marathon is just what you need.” The game will also include extensive loot systems featuring weapons and gear that allow for varied gameplay styles, complemented by unique characters known as Runners.
Ziegler also provided insights into the development status. He noted that while progress is steady, the project isn’t quite ready for public display. Internal tests involving players and content creators have been conducted to refine gameplay mechanics and identify strengths and weaknesses.
The director indicated that while some aspects are well advanced — like the game’s immersive environments that are starting to take form — other elements, including character and enemy models, are still undergoing development: “We have various components at different stages. Some elements are more complete, while others, like our enemy designs, are still in their early phases. We’re continuously iterating to solidify these details.”
To build anticipation, a handful of images were shared, including one of a Runner called “Thief,” who appears to embody his namesake, and another named “Stealth,” designed for a stealthy gameplay approach. More content is set to be unveiled in the future as 2025 is poised to be a significant year for this project with promises of playtests and new information coming next year, though specific details remain scarce.
While an official release date for Marathon has yet to be announced, it is confirmed to be in development for PC, PS5, and Xbox Series. Bungie indicated they would reveal more when they can showcase actual gameplay, so fans can look forward to an update in the near future.