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As the Marathon player count discourse reaches peak stupidity, Warframe and Overwatch devs speak up in solidarity: 'This is big unemployed, maidenless behavior'
Developers from Warframe and Overwatch have spoken out against the intense scrutiny of Marathon's player count on Steam, calling it "unemployed, maidenless behavior." Rebecca Ford of Warframe highlighted the increased competition in the market since the game's launch, while Dylan Snyder of Overwatch pointed out the limitations of using SteamDB for player count analysis. The discussion touches on the challenges faced by new live service games in a crowded market.
Is Marathon Heading for the Same Fate as Concord and Highguard? | Invision Game Community
The article analyzes the challenges faced by new live-service multiplayer shooters, using Concord and Highguard as examples of recent failures. It discusses how Marathon, Bungie's upcoming extraction shooter, faces similar retention hurdles despite initial testing interest, and its success hinges on Bungie's experience with Destiny 2 and creating a compelling gameplay loop.
How to scan the secured containers in Algae Ponds basement in Marathon – Return on Investment 1 contract guide
This guide details how to complete the Return on Investment 1 contract in Marathon, a task from the Traxus faction on the Dire Marsh map. The primary objective involves scanning four secured containers located in the Algae Ponds basement, accessible by crawling through a small door and descending a ladder. Successful exfiltration after completing the scan is required to finish the contract.
Don Daglow and Rebecca Ann Heineman to be honored at 2026 GDCAs
Don Daglow and Rebecca Ann Heineman will be honored at the 2026 Game Developers Choice Awards. The article also discusses Sony's shift towards live service games, leading to the cancellation of multiple projects, and speculates on the timeline for the PlayStation 6 and upcoming Xbox console.
The craft of voice acting with Jennifer Hale
Voice actress Jennifer Hale's work is discussed in the context of Sony's shift towards live service games, leading to the cancellation of multiple titles. The article also touches upon the speculated release timelines for the PlayStation 6 and Xbox's next-generation console, Project Helix.
Marathon’s New Players Can Experience All Questlines Whenever They Join, Says Creative Director
Bungie's creative director Julia Nardin stated that their upcoming extraction shooter, Marathon, will feature an "additive experience" where all questlines and story content are evergreen. This approach aims to avoid the content vaulting issues seen with Destiny 2, allowing players to join at any time and still access all established narrative content, achievements, and collections. The game will incorporate worldbuilding through in-game lore found in item descriptions, text files, and audio logs, alongside faction contracts and new characters.
What Makes Crimson Desert a Strong Contender for Game of the Year
Crimson Desert is positioned as a strong contender for Game of the Year in 2026, aiming to make a significant cultural and critical impact as a new IP. The game emphasizes a traditional premium experience without microtransactions, focusing on cinematic action, large-scale battles, and emergent open-world gameplay inspired by titles like Elden Ring and Breath of the Wild. Its unique genre positioning as a single-player, open-world, action-heavy RPG with deep progression systems could attract a broad audience, differentiating it from other upcoming releases.
Easter Eggs
Bungie has included several Halo weapons as Easter eggs within their upcoming game Marathon. This discovery was reported by PC Gamer, highlighting the developer's nod to their iconic franchise.
How to unlock and access Command Wing in Marathon
This guide explains how to unlock the Command Wing area in the game Marathon. Players need to find and activate two access panels located in the Destroyed Wing and Drone Wing sections of the Pinwheel Base to open the Command Wing.
Bungie snuck a bunch of Halo guns into Marathon
Bungie's new extraction shooter Marathon features numerous subtle and obvious callbacks to the Halo series, including weapons that mirror iconic Halo firearms. While some similarities stem from Bungie's established 'house style,' specific guns like the Magnum MC and BR33 Volley Rifle, along with attachments for the V22 Volt Thrower, are directly inspired by or transform into their Halo counterparts. The article also notes similarities to Destiny's arsenal.
Tactical RPG “Never’s End” Debuts Groundbreaking Environmental Combat in New Demo on PC
The tactical RPG Never's End, developed by Hypersect, has released its first public demo on PC via Steam. The demo showcases the game's environmental combat system, which allows players to manipulate heat to affect the battlefield, and features character designs by Masayoshi Nishimura and music by Doseone. Never's End is slated for a 2026 release on PC and PlayStation 5.
How to unlock and access Pinwheel Base in Marathon
This guide explains how to unlock and access the Pinwheel Base in Marathon, a key area located in the center of the Outpost map. Three methods are detailed: using Clearance Codes on terminals to unlock an elevator, employing a drone crane via a Conveyance Request keycard, or destroying generators on the Destroyed Wing to remove a barrier.
Bungie has learned its lesson about vaulting content in Destiny 2 and won't be so cruel with Marathon: 'It…
Bungie has learned from the controversial Destiny Content Vault and intends to avoid similar practices with its upcoming game, Marathon. Creative director Julia Nardin stated that Marathon's lore and world-building will not be removed, unlike chunks of Destiny 2. The studio is exploring how to manage seasonal content resets and a growing catalogue of contracts without alienating players.
NEKOME: NAZI HUNTER DEBUTS NARRATIVE TRAILER, UNVEILING A PERSONAL REVENGE ODYSSEY FROM INDUSTRY VETERAN JERONIMO BARRERA
ProbablyMonsters has released the first gameplay trailer for Nekome: Nazi Hunter, a single-player, third-person action title directed by Jeronimo Barrera. The game, inspired by grindhouse cinema, follows a young Romani man seeking revenge against Nazi soldiers and is set to launch on PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X|S. The trailer showcases a blend of stealth and brutal close-quarters combat, with systems that track player brutality and unpredictability.
Oh no: You can attach claymores to Thief's drones in Marathon, and it's just as hellish as it sounds
In the extraction shooter Marathon, players can attach claymores to the Thief class's remote-controlled drone, creating a powerful and hellish weapon. This combination allows players to launch landmines at opponents, potentially leading to instant kills. The article suggests this tactic could make the Thief class one of the most effective if utilized skillfully, while hoping Bungie doesn't remove this emergent gameplay.
Players have rallied together to solve the first stage of Marathon's elaborate Cryo Archive ARG puzzle, and it's revealed some creepy footage of the next map
Players have successfully collaborated to solve the first stage of Bungie's Marathon Alternate Reality Game (ARG), which involved activating in-game terminals to unlock cryptic video feeds from the upcoming Cryo Archives map. This community effort has revealed unsettling footage, including a potential ghostly figure, hinting at the map's spooky atmosphere and the lore surrounding the mysteriously commandeered Marathon ship.
How to acquire chem grenades from UESC stockpile in Marathon – Run/Hide 1 contract guide
This guide details how to complete the Run/Hide 1 contract for the MIDA faction in Marathon. Players must acquire Chem Grenades from a UESC Stockpile in the Maintenance area and then use them to destroy lab equipment located under AI Uplink.
Marathon tackles microtransaction complaints, preps patch to smooth out pain points
Bungie is addressing player complaints regarding Marathon's microtransaction pricing and other pain points with an upcoming patch. The developer will increase the amount of premium currency players receive for their money and credit existing customers with extra currency. The patch will also improve in-game navigation and starting supplies.
Just like Concord, Highguard is checking out; will Marathon go the same way?
Bungie's upcoming game Marathon faces challenges in the live service market, as simply being competent is not enough to succeed. The article argues that with Bungie's pedigree, established by Halo and Destiny 2, Marathon needs to offer more than just another extraction shooter experience to stand out.
More clues appear for Marathon’s Cryo Archive map after players finish a puzzle on Perimeter
Players have discovered clues related to Marathon's upcoming Cryo Archive map through puzzles on the Perimeter map, leading to a dedicated website. Interacting with terminals reveals camera feeds, and solving audio log puzzles has unlocked more images. Bungie has indicated Cryo Archive is scheduled for a mid-to-late March release during Season 1, with speculation that it could be a PvPvE map featuring bosses and significant loot areas.
