Bungie’s upcoming game, *Marathon*, showcased a trailer at the May 2023 PlayStation Showcase, sparking immense interest with over 20 million views. However, its new director, Joe Ziegler, recently provided a disappointing update, stating no gameplay will be shown yet. Fans expressed frustration over the lack of substantial news after a year, particularly following the failure of *Concord*. Concerns about the game’s development remain, but optimism persists regarding Bungie’s experience and talent in potentially delivering a compelling title.
Unveiled during the PlayStation Showcase in May 2023, Marathon, an innovative ‘extraction FPS’ crafted by the creators of Halo and Destiny, generated significant excitement. The teaser, which lasted under two minutes and showcased the game’s universe without revealing gameplay, has already garnered over 20 million views.
Since the initial trailer, fans have been eagerly awaiting updates. The wait officially ended today as Joe Ziegler, the newly appointed director of the game, shared developments in a recent video, though his remarks may not have eased fans’ concerns.
Marathon Updates Shared!
In a ten-minute video, Ziegler, who previously directed Valorant, discussed the current status of Marathon’s development. Setting a cautious tone from the beginning, he stated quite clearly: there will be no gameplay footage revealed. This has left fans on edge, especially since they were promised that the next update would showcase gameplay. He went on to explain the concept of an ‘extraction FPS,’ where players immerse themselves in a dangerous environment, scavenging for loot and completing various missions.
Although he provided some insights into the game’s interface and background, there was little visual content to accompany his words. He expressed that development is progressing at an uneven pace: while the game’s universe is nearing its final form, character designs still require considerable work. The video concluded with two pieces of concept art, leaving viewers with minimal new information and raising alarms among the fanbase, some of whom are drawing unfavorable comparisons to the recently canceled Concord.
Concerns Among Fans
In light of the recent setback with Concord for Sony and the similarities some see with Marathon, the video has sparked fears within the gaming community. Expectations for more substantial updates were dashed after witnessing ten minutes of vague statements:
- ‘If the game is a hero-shooter, it’s dead on arrival.’
- ‘It’s nice to hear more, but it feels like empty words. I wish I had not heard anything until there was something to show.’
- ‘Just 2 images and a 9-minute video that ultimately says, ‘we’re working on it.’
- ‘TL;DR: we’re developing a game. This is possibly the most pointless video ever.’
It’s understandable that a decade of waiting for news can lead to frustration after such a lackluster update. The game appears to be nowhere near completion, even well after its initial reveal. Following the unfortunate turn of events with Concord, there must be a palpable sense of pressure at Bungie, especially as they embark on creating a new FPS title.
That said, it’s important to stay hopeful. Bungie, along with its new director, undoubtedly possesses the creativity and expertise to showcase what Marathon has to offer as development progresses into next year!
With the return of Bungie’s renowned franchise, fans are on the edge of their seats. Will Marathon rise to the occasion as one of the standout titles of the year?
Yet, is this highly anticipated game facing unforeseen hurdles? After the dismissal of its director, there seems to be more drama for Bungie, which continues to face challenges in the competitive gaming landscape.