Bungie and Sony can’t seem to catch a break with Marathon since its reveal a month ago. With intense headlines swirling around the game’s state, it’s becoming harder for Marathon to appeal to the mainstream market after a string of controversies undermining the extraction shooter's potential.
Sony should start backing away from Bungie’s Marathon before everything becomes a disaster. That might sound harsh, but things are heating up at Bungie, not in a good way. Marathon already feels like a game that few people actually asked for, and it’s facing several issues. With just four months out from its planned release, there’s no way they can reinvent its core concepts without risking delay.
Art Theft Scandal
Recently, an artist took to social media to reveal that Bungie blatantly used her assets and art style in Marathon’s alpha gameplay. She shared an extensive thread highlighting the stolen designs, and users quickly called out Bungie for the oversight.
Bungie issued a public apology, launched an internal investigation, and contacted the artist, @4nt1r34l. But at this point, things look grim, considering that the allegedly stolen assets form a large part of the game’s visual identity.
Lukewarm Reception of Closed Alpha
The general reception to Marathon has been lukewarm at best, even with an extensive closed beta meant to showcase the game’s feel and core gameplay loop. Not many players were drawn in, largely due to the game’s $40 price tag, its lack of a single-player experience, and its genre—extraction shooters, which are still niche.
On top of that, players were confused by the disconnect between the game’s tone, art direction, and gameplay. There were moments where the game looked impressive, particularly the lighting in interior spaces, but much of the outdoor gameplay looked bland and generic. A former Bungie designer shared insights on the game’s future and direction, including how it might still find its audience, but also addressed long-term concerns. You can check out the interview in Aztecross’ video.
ARC Raiders Competition
Since day one, Marathon has had a direct competitor: Embark Studios’ ARC Raiders.
The difference in reception between the two games has been stark. ARC Raiders offers many features players hoped to see in Marathon’s closed beta. ARC Raiders has solo queue support, but Marathon doesn’t. ARC Raiders includes raid mechanics, Marathon doesn’t, at least not yet. Even enemy AI feels more compelling in ARC Raiders, with many players saying it’s simply more fun.
Both titles come with a premium price tag, and it’s only a matter of time before ARC Raiders and Marathon duke it out with which game has the most engaging gameplay. While a paywall is a tough sell, gameplay enjoyment remains essential in an extraction-shooter, and ARC Raiders did it right.
A Potential Delay or Cancellation
There’s a real chance Bungie might delay the game from its planned September release to sometime next year. That’s a grim scenario, especially since Bungie and Sony might not be able to afford another year in development. Destiny 2 is Bungie’s strongest moneymaker, and even that’s seeing a steep drop in player engagement for several reasons.
Worst case? Sony and Bungie could pull the plug entirely before Marathon even launches. That might sound extreme, but it could save both companies from another PR disaster like Concord and avoid sinking more resources into a project that might not recover. Those resources could go toward something more viable, like Destiny 3.
Things are looking bleak at Bungie right now. Some of me still hopes Marathon pulls through; I’m excited to see what it could become. But another part of me believes we might never see this game released, especially if Sony decides to walk away before it’s too late.
For more Bungie news, stick with us at Gfinityesports.com: the best website for Destiny 2 and Marathon content.