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Marathon Officially Adds Duos Queue in Season 2, New Experimental Playlist Coming Next Week
Marathon director Joe Ziegler announced that the experimental Duos queue is ending, but new experimental playlists are coming next week. Duos will be officially added in Season 2, with a new experimental queue launching on April 15th. Bungie is also working on game balancing, including nerfs to popular tactics, to improve the extraction shooter experience on Xbox Series X/S, PlayStation 5, and PC.
As frustration with Marathon cheaters intensifies, Bungie says improvements to its 'zero-tolerance policy around cheating' are underway: 'This is an area that we will continue to invest in'
Bungie has acknowledged player frustration with cheating in Marathon's new Ranked mode and stated that improvements to its anti-cheat systems are underway. The company is actively banning confirmed cheaters and continuously refining its detection methods to protect the game's competitive integrity. Bungie is also iterating on player reporting tools and exploring in-game notifications for actions taken based on reports.
Marathon players are fiercely debating how to best change one of the game's most "present and dominant" weapon attachments
Marathon players are actively debating how to best adjust the game's thermal gun optics, which are considered overly dominant. Game director Joe Ziegler has acknowledged the issue, and the community has proposed ideas like scaling thermal clarity with player heat. These discussions highlight the ongoing challenges of balancing live service games.
Marathon's Knife Is No Longer A Miniature Halo Energy Sword
Bungie has released update 1.0.5.3 for its extraction shooter Marathon, significantly nerfing the player's starting knife. The update reduces the knife's lunge distance by 10% and the maximum bonus damage from the Melee Damage stat from 100% to 50%. Additionally, the popular Bubble Shield consumable has had its HP reduced by 33% and increased rarity.
Uncharted 5 Was Planned at Naughty Dog Before COVID – Rumor
A report suggests that Naughty Dog had plans for an Uncharted 5 before the COVID-19 pandemic, though the studio is currently focused on its new IP, Intergalactic. The rumor emerged following a social media post by creative director Shaun Escayg, which some interpreted as research for a new Uncharted title. The article also discusses the industry trend of studios prioritizing sequels to established franchises over new intellectual property.
Marathon Update Nerfs Bubble Shield, Knife Lunge Distance and Bonus Melee Damage Against Runners
Bungie has released a mid-season balancing update for Marathon, nerfing the Biotoxic Disinjector, Combat Knife, and Bubble Shield. The knife's lunge distance and targeting angle are reduced, and its bonus melee damage against Runners is capped at 50 percent. The Bubble Shield is now Superior rarity with reduced health but increased resistance to UESC damage.
Buffs, Nerfs, and Bugs
Bungie has implemented a significant nerf to a powerful weapon in Marathon, aiming to reduce its dominance within the game. Additionally, EA unexpectedly removed a map from Apex Legends without prior notice.
Diablo 4's Lord of Hatred expansion teased in new book!... | TAG
A new book titled 'Lord of Hatred' offers an early look at Diablo 4's upcoming expansion, teasing new lore and story elements set in the Skovos Isles. Meanwhile, Limited Run Games is addressing past delays by setting more realistic shipping expectations, potentially pushing some preorders to late 2026. Bungie has also announced a nerf to the powerful Biotoxic Disinjector weapon in Marathon to improve game balance.
The Best PS5 Games In 2026
This article rounds up the best PlayStation 5 games available, covering a wide range of genres and styles from AAA blockbusters to indie darlings. It highlights recent favorites and modern classics, aiming to help players discover must-play titles for the console. The list includes critically acclaimed games like Astro Bot, Metaphor: ReFantazio, and Elden Ring: Shadow of the Erdtree, among many others.
Marathon's most powerful gun gets a major nerf, as Bungie seeks to 'curb a little bit of its dominion in the…
Bungie has implemented a 35% damage nerf to the powerful Biotoxic Disinjector weapon in Marathon's Cryo Archive endgame. Game Director Joe Ziegler stated the change aims to curb the weapon's dominance, though further adjustments may occur. The nerf follows increased availability of the weapon after a recent change to boss access.
Marathon Review – Not for the Faint of Heart — Too Much Gaming | Video Games Reviews, News, & Guides
Bungie's Marathon is a challenging extraction shooter that offers satisfying gunplay and impressive map design, but features a steep learning curve for new players. Despite its high-risk, high-reward gameplay loop and striking art style, the game is best suited for those already familiar with the genre, offering a polished experience that demands significant player investment.
Marathon’s Biotoxic Disinjector Gets A Major Nerf Over The Weekend
Marathon's director Joe Ziegler announced a significant nerf to the Biotoxic Disinjector weapon, reducing its damage by 35% to create a more balanced gameplay experience. While this specific damage reduction might be temporary, the developers at Bungie are continuing to adjust various game mechanics in their ongoing balancing efforts.
'Marathon Is Gonna Be Game of the Year': Actor Ben Starr Jokes It'll Beat GTA 6 Due to Jennifer English
Actor Ben Starr jokingly suggested that Bungie's upcoming shooter Marathon could win Game of the Year, attributing its potential success to co-star Jennifer English. English has a notable track record, having voiced characters in multiple recent Game of the Year winners like Elden Ring and Baldur's Gate 3. Starr believes this 'Jennifer English Effect' will propel Marathon to victory, despite its current sales performance.
The Sunday Papers
This article discusses various gaming topics, including Bungie's new extraction shooter Marathon, the future of the Final Fantasy series amidst declining youth interest, and the rise of Mascot Horror games like Five Nights at Freddy's. It also touches on indie horror games and a potential connection between the character Nate from Baby Steps and Nathan Drake.
Halo director alleges he experienced ‘multiple harassment campaigns’ and ‘blacklisting, fraud, rampant favoritism’ at Halo Studios
Former 343 Industries art director Glenn Israel has accused Microsoft and Halo Studios executives of orchestrating "multiple harassment campaigns," blacklisting, fraud, and rampant favoritism. Israel alleges that these actions were designed to create grounds for the termination of employees, and that HR departments failed to act. He also claims Microsoft uses layoffs to remove employees who have filed complaints.
Bungie brings the nerf hammer down on Marathon's problematic 'rich get richer' gun
Bungie is implementing a nerf to a powerful weapon in its extraction shooter, Marathon, acknowledging that the 'rich get richer' gun is too strong. This adjustment addresses player feedback regarding the game's best raid reward.
Marathon Is Losing Players Fast – But Sony Isn’t Giving Up Yet | Invision Game Community
Marathon, Bungie's new live-service extraction shooter, is experiencing a rapid decline in player numbers shortly after its 2026 launch, raising concerns about its long-term viability. Despite the drop, Sony is expected to continue supporting the game as part of its live-service strategy, though future support may depend on player retention.
For All the Talk About Crimson Desert, Nothing Beats MLB The Show on the US PS5 Chart
MLB The Show 26 topped the North American PlayStation 5 sales charts for March, surpassing the highly anticipated Crimson Desert. While Crimson Desert led sales in Europe, MLB The Show 26 did not chart in the top 20. Other notable titles on the charts include Resident Evil Requiem and Bungie's new shooter, Marathon.
Destiny 2 Guardian Games: Warlocks Lead as Week Two Heats Up
The annual Guardian Games event in Destiny 2 has reached its second week, with Warlocks currently holding a lead over Hunters and Titans. Bungie is introducing a Community Challenge to encourage cooperation alongside competition. This event highlights the evolution of live-service gaming towards hybrid models that blend rivalry with shared experiences, potentially influencing future game design and community engagement.
Poll: Vote for Your PS5 Game of the Month (March 2026)
Push Square is holding a poll for PlayStation 5 Game of the Month for March 2026, featuring titles like Crimson Desert, Marathon, Monster Hunter Stories 3: Twisted Reflection, Screamer, and South of Midnight. Players can vote for their favorite release from the month, with voting closing on April 6th, 2026.
