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 loot 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…
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That doesn’t sound anything like Marathon at all…
Marathon is about rampant artificial intelligences fighting aliens and time traveling, it has nothing to do with disappearing humans or looting stuff.
The human colony got nuked by aliens, and the player character spends the three games doing the bidding of the artificial intelligences that were on board the marathon.
Ultimately, it’s based around Eldritch space monsters and the forerunners.
I’d love a new Marathon, but
Can it just not be that? For the love of god? For the love of christ? Please? For god’s sake? What did any of us do to deserve this?
I spent countless hours playing all three Marathon games. I love pointing out Marathon references in the Halo games to my kids. I’d be thrilled to have a new Marathon game to play.
Did you forget Halo exists?
As an old Marathon fan and nickname from Marathon Infinity I am terrified that they make shitty grind game with this name. Marathon deserver a new compain or remake with singleplayer company like Halo not a game service type disrespect. If you want to make another Destiny – choose another name what’s the point in dancing on the bones of great game?