Importance Score: 35 / 100 🔵
Bungie’s Marathon: Sci-Fi Extraction Shooter Gameplay Revealed
This past weekend, Bungie, renowned for its exceptional first-person shooter expertise, unveiled the sci-fi gameplay of Marathon to a global audience. Set to launch on September 23rd, this new title marks the studio’s entry into the high-stakes extraction shooter genre. The core concept of Marathon is immediately engaging: players equip their Runners with crucial gear and compete with others to acquire valuable loot, facing substantial risk as they attempt to extract their hard-earned goods.
Following the gameplay debut of Marathon, Game Director Joe Ziegler discussed further details about Bungie’s upcoming project. The conversation explored Bungie’s approach to this new genre, leveraging the capabilities of the PS5, the game’s distinctive visual style, and more.
Post-Reveal Reactions and Development Passion
Tim Turi: Congratulations on the gameplay reveal. What is the team’s sentiment after the event?
Joe Ziegler: “It’s incredibly exciting,” stated Ziegler. “The phrase I’ve been using is ‘nerve-cited’. This project has been a true passion endeavor for several years, imbued with dedication and a commitment to crafting an exceptional and engaging experience.” He further explained, “Presenting it to players for the first time is both exhilarating and unnerving. We create games to thrill and amuse, and naturally, there’s some anxiety about whether the choices we’ve made resonate with players. We believe we are on the right track, but we are eager to hear player feedback.”
Key Moments in Marathon’s Development
During Marathon’s production, were there specific instances that solidified the team’s belief in its potential?
“Many moments were truly unpredictable,” Ziegler recounted. “Instances where expectations diverged from reality. In our game, players navigate a mysterious world filled with potential hazards. Rounding a corner might lead to an encounter with the United Earth Space Council (UESC), formidable antagonists within our game world. Alternatively, players could find themselves under fire from rival crews. These scenarios can become intensely thrilling, especially when survival seems improbable, yet players manage to turn the tide, narrowly escape, and reach extraction. Successfully exfiltrating leaves you with a lasting sense of exhilaration.”
The Lore Behind the Name: Marathon
What is the history and meaning of the name “Marathon?”
Ziegler clarified, “In the original 1994 title, ‘Marathon’ denoted the colony ship dispatched from Earth by the UESC. Its mission was to establish humanity’s first colony in the Tau Ceti system, beyond our solar system’s confines. The UESC Marathon was an unconventional vessel, constructed within an asteroid-like moon for this protracted voyage. My assumption is that ‘Marathon’ was chosen to represent the 500-year journey, signifying an extensive commitment to interstellar travel.”
He continued, “We utilize the Marathon name for this 2025 game in recognition of the IP’s heritage. We are reimagining numerous familiar IP elements, including the UESC Marathon itself, for a contemporary audience. While we are reinterpreting aspects of the original lore, returning fans will discover recognizable elements like the ship and Tau Ceti, which we believe they will appreciate.”
Gunplay and Survival in the FPS Genre
Bungie is acclaimed for its refined first-person shooter mechanics. How does Marathon maintain this reputation while forging its own identity within the FPS landscape?
“Much of it stems from the game’s core nature and the player decisions we aim to encourage,” Ziegler explained. “This game is fundamentally about survival. Survival-focused games inherently emphasize resource management, adaptability, and situational awareness. We are building upon the familiar action foundation that players enjoy, layering intense survival mechanics on top. For example, health regeneration is not automatic or rapid; players rely on consumables to heal. This design choice compels players to strategically decide whether to engage in combat or strategically retreat, considering their available resources.”
Addressing Player Concerns About Extraction Shooters
Do you have any words for players intrigued by extraction shooters, but apprehensive about the inherent risk and reward dynamic?
“I want to emphasize that while the game is demanding and intense, it is also profoundly gratifying,” Ziegler asserted. “As players become more experienced, they will cultivate survival proficiencies that may be novel to them, fostering a sense of mastery. Furthermore, we have prioritized intuitive controller integration. While many PC extraction shooters favor mouse and keyboard setups, our design aims to eliminate interface and control complexities, enabling natural gameplay. We want players to concentrate on adapting, honing their survival instincts, and achieving memorable runs.”
Persistent Progression and Player Investment
Given the risk of losing valuable loadouts in matches, can you elaborate on persistent progression mechanics?
“We are committed to ensuring players feel progress with every match,” Ziegler stated. “This includes experience-based progression, such as advancing your Runner level within a season. Faction-based upgrades will also play a role. As players accumulate resources and in-game currency, they can enhance character attributes, perhaps gaining increased stamina or faster looting capabilities. Progression will also broaden purchasing options at the Black Market, an in-game store. Currency earned in-game can be used to acquire diverse weapons, implants, and upgrades, based on unlocks within an upgrade tree. Consequently, player options will expand as they engage with the game.”
Leveraging PlayStation 5 Technology
How is Bungie utilizing the PlayStation 5’s technological capabilities for Marathon?
“We are incorporating haptic feedback via DualSense wireless controllers, which enriches gunfights with tactile sensations,” Ziegler confirmed. “We are also implementing Tempest 3D Audio, promising truly immersive soundscapes.”
“Furthermore, the rendering capabilities of the PS5, particularly the PS5 Pro, are exceptional. We are planning significant utilization of PSSR (PlayStation Spectral Super Resolution) and enhanced support for upscaling and resolution. Players on both PS5 and PS5 Pro can expect impressive visual fidelity.”
Marathon’s Distinctive Art Style
Marathon’s visual presentation is uniquely striking. Can you describe the elements that contribute to its distinctiveness?
“Our aesthetic draws heavily from graphic design principles and contemporary product design sensibilities,” Ziegler outlined. “However, what truly distinguishes us is the duality present in Marathon’s visuals. One might feel a sense of comprehension, or conversely, a captivating sense of unfamiliarity, yet still be drawn to its appeal. There’s an allure to visuals that are boldly graphic, akin to print design, yet translated onto the screen and integrated with technological sci-fi motifs, juxtaposed against organic environments. This interplay of elements creates visual dynamism.”
“This fusion is something we believe is relatively novel, and we find it compelling. It generates visual contrasts and tensions that complement the game’s tone, which centers on paranoia, intensity, and the pursuit of elusive truths within a labyrinthine information landscape. Players will grapple with uncertainty, questioning veracity. The art style effectively coalesces these thematic elements.”
Final Message to PlayStation Players
Is there a final message you wish to convey to the PlayStation audience following this reveal?
“For players who appreciate immersive survival experiences, who relish competitive scenarios against others within that framework, and who seek unpredictable and thrilling gameplay, I believe Marathon will resonate deeply,” Ziegler concluded. “Especially given our focus on delivering a seamless cross-platform experience. I am particularly enthusiastic about welcoming PlayStation players to experience this genre and our unique interpretation of it. We have invested immense passion and dedication into Marathon, playing extensively ourselves and genuinely enjoying it. We eagerly anticipate PlayStation players joining our community, showcasing their skills, and demonstrating their prowess.”
Marathon arrives on September 23 for PS5, Steam, and Xbox Series X|S.