Marathon
News, coverage and analysis tracking Marathon across the outlets.
Latest coverage
Sony took a $765 million impairment loss in FY25 on the $3.6 billion Bungie acquisition
Sony reported a $765 million impairment loss in its fiscal year 2025 on the $3.6 billion acquisition of Bungie. The makers of Marathon and Destiny 2 continue to be a financial weakness for Sony's Game & Network Services segment.
Sony reports $765 million impairment loss on Marathon and Destiny 2 studio Bungie for the last financial year, after…
Sony reported a significant impairment loss of approximately $765 million against Bungie's assets for the 2025 fiscal year. This loss is attributed to underperformance of titles like Marathon, which did not meet expectations following Bungie's $3.6 billion acquisition in 2022. Despite these financial setbacks, Sony's overall games division sales remained flat, with positive projections for the coming year.
Bungie’s value keeps on dropping in latest Sony financials
Sony reported significant impairment losses of approximately $565 million USD in the last quarter related to its acquisition of Bungie, bringing the total annual loss to around $765 million USD. This financial downturn coincides with declining player counts for Destiny 2 and underperformance of the newly released Marathon, as well as substantial layoffs at Bungie since its acquisition.
Sony Files Second $565 Million Impairment Against Bungie
Sony's Q4 2025 financial report indicates a second impairment against Bungie, reducing its value by approximately $565 million. This reduction, totaling $765 million since the 2022 acquisition, is attributed to Destiny 2's underperformance and Marathon's launch not meeting expectations.
Bungie Was a $765 Million Thorn in Sony's Side in 2025
Sony's fiscal year 2025 financial results reveal a significant $765 million impairment loss attributed to Bungie, impacting PlayStation's operating income. Despite this, Sony's gaming business still saw a 12% profit increase year-on-year. The article suggests that Bungie's acquisition and the development of Marathon have been costly and problematic for Sony.
Sony Reports $765 Million Impairment Loss Due to Underperformance of Marathon Developer Bungie
Sony reported a significant $765 million impairment loss in its last financial year, primarily attributed to the underperformance of Marathon developer Bungie. This financial setback highlights challenges in the studio's recent performance.
Sony Writes Off Another $565 Million Impairment Loss Against Bungie
Sony has recorded another $565 million impairment loss against Bungie, bringing the total write-off to $769 million in the last financial year. This significant loss, representing over 20% of the acquisition cost, impacts the perceived value of Bungie and its ongoing titles like Marathon. Despite this, Sony's gaming division reported a 12% increase in operating income.
Sony Aims to “Improve the Performance” of Marathon by Focusing on Content, Player Acquisition
Sony aims to improve the performance of its extraction shooter Marathon by focusing on content updates, gameplay system enhancements, and expanding its player base. Despite reporting significant financial losses related to the Bungie acquisition, Sony remains committed to Marathon, citing its strong critical reception and positive player engagement metrics. The company plans to introduce additional content and ensure all story content remains accessible to new players to foster continued engagement.
Sony Reports $765 Million Impairment Losses From Bungie in Latest Earnings Report
Sony reported $765 million in impairment losses related to its acquisition of Bungie for the fiscal year, despite a 12 percent increase in overall revenue. The company forecasts a 30 percent revenue increase next year, partly due to the absence of these impairment losses. Bungie's latest title, Marathon, has seen mixed sales performance across platforms, with PC being the dominant platform, followed by PlayStation 5.
Buffs, Nerfs, and Bugs
The latest update for the game Marathon aims to address player concerns regarding grenade spamming and other potential bugs. The patch notes detail various buffs and nerfs implemented to improve gameplay balance.
I bought a $5 Steam Controller 7 years ago and forgot it existed. Now it's my new living room sidekick
The author rediscovers the original Steam Controller, purchased years ago for $5, and finds it to be an excellent companion for the Steam Deck in living room PC gaming setups. Despite Valve discontinuing the device, strong community support through Steam Input ensures extensive game compatibility, making it a surprisingly viable option for mouse-centric games on a TV.
I played Marathon and its 1994 predecessor to see how Bungie has evolved over the years
This article compares the original 1994 first-person shooter Marathon with its modern multiplayer reboot, highlighting how both games, despite fundamental differences, evoke a similar sense of dread through their respective design philosophies. While the classic game relies on tight level design and survival mechanics, the new Marathon uses extraction shooter elements and PvP to create tension. Bungie's evolution from story-driven single-player games to live-service titles is also discussed as a key factor in their current creative direction.
Are Marathon's grenade-spamming woes fixed with its latest update?
Bungie has released a new update for Marathon that significantly reduces grenade stack sizes to address player concerns about 'grenade spam'. The maximum stack size for most grenades has been lowered to one, with Claymores reduced to two. This change aims to rebalance combat and encourage more traditional shooting gameplay. The update also includes other bug fixes and improvements.
GTA 6's development costs estimated to be over $1bn, as Take-Two head admits its an "expensive" endeavour
Take-Two Interactive's CEO Strauss Zelnick has acknowledged that Grand Theft Auto 6's development is an "expensive" endeavor, with industry analysts estimating costs between $1 billion and $1.5 billion. The article also touches upon discussions regarding the game's potential retail price, with Zelnick stating the company aims to deliver value significantly exceeding the cost. Grand Theft Auto 6 is slated for release on November 19 for PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X/S.
Marathon’s creative director opines on its story direction and jump-in points for future players
Bungie's creative director Julia Nardin discussed the future narrative direction for the live-service game Marathon, stating that while the overarching plot for the next few years is planned, it remains flexible to incorporate player feedback. Nardin also indicated that each new season will serve as a potential entry point for new players to join the game.
New Marathon patch heavily nerfs grenades, so you’ll have to use your aim now
A new patch for Marathon (1.0.6.3) significantly reduces the stack sizes of most grenades, forcing players to be more strategic with their usage and rely more on aiming. The update also includes various bug fixes, tweaks to C.A.R.R.I. Armory offers, and adjustments to map events and contracts.
Bungie Under Fire: Are Marathon Player Numbers Being Hidden After Launch? | Invision Game Community
Bungie is facing community backlash regarding the launch of its multiplayer extraction shooter, Marathon, with accusations of hiding player numbers. The article clarifies that discussions about player counts are being moderated on Reddit and that player data remains publicly accessible via platforms like SteamDB. A separate incident involving a chat filter censoring a competing game's name was also addressed.
Roadmaps and Plans
Bungie has outlined its long-term vision for the upcoming game Marathon, stating that they have clear plans for the game's narrative direction over the next few years. This indicates a commitment to developing the story and world of Marathon beyond its initial release.
Marathon dev Bungie already "knows where we want to take the story over the next few years"
Bungie creative director Julia Nardin stated that the studio has a clear vision for the storyline of its new extraction shooter, Marathon, for the coming years. While the core narrative is planned, Nardin emphasized that player input will be incorporated, a key aspect of live service games. The game aims to provide new entry points for players each season.
Marathon Has 'Years' of Story Planned Out, Says Bungie, and Players Will 'Help Shape It'
Bungie has long-term plans for its extraction shooter Marathon, with creative director Julia Nardin stating that the story is planned out for years to come and will evolve with player input. While the overarching narrative is flexible, the game's backstory is fixed and will be gradually uncovered by players. Bungie aims for each season to serve as a new entry point for players, ensuring the narrative is accessible regardless of when they start playing.
