Marathon
News, coverage and analysis tracking Marathon across the outlets.
Latest coverage
New Marathon update bolsters free kit meds, and solo runs are all the better for it
Bungie has released a new update for the extraction shooter Marathon that increases the stack size of depleted medkits and shield charges, and expands the number of meds found in Standard Sponsored Kits. These changes aim to improve survivability for players, especially those using free loadouts or playing solo. The patch also includes bug fixes and improves the accuracy of the radial menu selections.
Marathon's secretly been telling you to "kill for mommy," community lead salutes the first thirsty…
Bungie's community lead Andy Salisbury is humorously engaging with players who discovered a "kill for mommy" message on weapon skins in the game Marathon. The discovery, made by dataminers, has led to a playful community reaction, with Salisbury acknowledging the fan interpretations.
Marathon’s latest update makes a major quality of life change to in-match looting
Marathon's latest update, version 1.0.6.1, introduces significant quality-of-life improvements, primarily focused on in-match looting and bug fixes. Key changes include doubling the stack size for Depleted Patch Kits and Depleted Shield Charges to six, increasing daily stock limits for certain Sponsored Kits, and improving the drop rate of healing items from Recruits. The update also addresses several combat and user interface issues.
Bungie’s Limited Edition Marathon Controller Just Got a Hefty Price Cut at Amazon and Walmart
Bungie's limited edition Marathon controller for the PlayStation 5 has received a significant price reduction shortly after its release. The controller is available at a reduced price on both Amazon and Walmart.
Former PlayStation Exec Shuhei Yoshida Says He Was Fired After Top Boss Asked Him To Do "Ridiculous Things"
Former PlayStation executive Shuhei Yoshida revealed he was removed from his role leading Worldwide Studios in 2019 because he refused to comply with directives from then-top boss Jim Ryan. Yoshida stated Ryan asked him to do "ridiculous things," which he declined, leading to his reassignment to support independent creators. This departure occurred before Yoshida's eventual retirement from PlayStation in 2025.
Buffs, Nerfs, and Bugs
The popular shotgun in Marathon is receiving its second nerf, alongside other balance adjustments and bug fixes. Further details on the specific changes are expected.
Marathon's most popular shotgun is getting nerfed a second time, as Bungie worries it is 'eclipsing a lot of the other short range options that exist in the game'
Bungie is implementing a second nerf to the WSTR shotgun in Marathon, aiming to prevent it from overshadowing other short-range weapon options. The upcoming update will prevent the shotgun from downing enemies with blue shields or higher in two shots, forcing a reload and allowing for more counterplay. The WSTR will still be effective against green-shielded enemies, maintaining its utility for newer players.
Marathon’s WSTR Shotgun Nerf Means No More Two-Shotting Blue Shield (and Above) Users
Marathon's game director Joe Ziegler announced that the WSTR shotgun will receive a nerf on April 21st. The change will prevent the shotgun from downing enemies with blue rarity shields or higher in two shots, aiming to increase counterplay. While still effective against lower-tier shields, the nerf seeks to balance its dominance over other short-range options.
Something for the Weekend – 18/04/26
This week's gaming news includes the reveal of Metro 2039 for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X, and PC, and Masters of Albion launching into Early Access. Updates were announced for Battlefield 6, Hell Let Loose: Vietnam, Fortnite Save the World, and STALKER 2. Several games received reviews, including Pragmata with a 9/10 score, and new trailers were released for 007: First Light and Northgard: Battleground.
Buffs, Nerfs, and Bugs
This article provides a guide on how to solve crashing issues for the game Pragmata on PC. It also mentions that players of Marathon are utilizing new Mercy Kits in a way that has been described as 'troll-friendly'.
Marathon players are using new Mercy Kits to murder people twice: It's already been branded the 'most…
Players in Bungie's Marathon are exploiting the new Mercy Kit, a feature intended to encourage cooperation, by reviving fallen opponents only to kill them again for bonus experience points. This tactic has led to the feature being branded as the 'most brutal' addition to the game, raising questions about whether the player base is too competitive for cooperative mechanics.
Marathon Review – What did we extract from its first month and Season 1?
Bungie's new extraction shooter, Marathon, offers a challenging and rewarding experience for dedicated players, differentiating itself with unique Runner Shells and a deep narrative. The game features slick movement and gunplay, but a short time-to-kill and complex item management can be punishing. Its seasonal reset system aims to maintain competitiveness by wiping player progression, a bold move for the live service genre.
Fairgame$ is Getting an Extraction Shooter Mode – Rumor
A rumor suggests that Haven Studios' multiplayer heist shooter Fairgame$ will include a dedicated extraction shooter mode called Cargo Heist. This mode reportedly involves players upgrading skills with cash found in vaults and then extracting loot, similar to Marathon. The game is internally planned for release this year, with another playtest rumored for this weekend.
ARC Raiders’ blazing marathon is rapidly slowing down. Is it finally time to start worrying about its future?
ARC Raiders, an extraction shooter that initially saw significant player growth, is now experiencing a rapid decline in its player base, having lost approximately 80 percent of its community since its peak. Despite a recent update, player numbers have not recovered, leading to concerns about the game's long-term viability. While the developers at Embark Studios have time to implement new content, the current trend suggests a worrying future for the title.
PS5's Fairgames Is a Free-to-Play Extraction Shooter, and It's Not Dead Yet
Sony's PlayStation 5 exclusive, Fairgames, is confirmed to be a free-to-play extraction shooter developed by Haven. A private playtest is scheduled for this weekend, with the game's 'Cargo Heist' mode involving finding vault codes, collecting cash, and extracting loot. Despite early criticisms of clunkiness, Sony continues development on the title, which aims to compete in a crowded genre.
Marathon Gets A New Content-Filled Mid-Season Update and Displate Partnership
Marathon has received a mid-season update introducing new rewards, a 'Stay Together' feature for inviting past teammates, and the limited-time C.A.R.R.I. Protocol event. The update also includes a collaboration with Displate for new in-game designs and a Collector's Edition available from the Bungie store.
Catch Up On Years Of Destiny 2 Content With Latest Humble Bundle
Humble Bundle has released a new PC bundle offering multiple Destiny 2 expansions, including Forsaken, Beyond Light, Shadowkeep, The Witch Queen, and Lightfall, for a discounted price. The bundle features four tiers, with the most expensive costing $28 for 11 items and a coupon for the upcoming Marathon game. A portion of the proceeds will be donated to the Bungie Foundation.
Bungie's latest experiment turns Marathon into a battle royale, and it's a hit: 'Free kit queue might be…
Bungie is experimenting with a 'free kit frenzy' mode in Marathon, which functions as a battle royale where players use scavenged gear. This limited-time event, running until April 29, aims to gather data on the early gear system and has been met with positive player reception, with many hoping it becomes a permanent addition. The success of this mode suggests a potential for Marathon to accommodate a more casual, battle royale-oriented audience alongside its hardcore extraction shooter roots.
Sony's MIA Live-Service Game Is Going In The Exact Direction You'd Expect
New details have emerged regarding Sony's upcoming live-service game, Fairgame$, including its 'Cargo Heist' game mode and free-to-play business model with microtransactions. The game, which focuses on players acting as modern-day Robin Hoods against billionaires, has seen several key developers depart its studio, Haven. Sony has faced challenges with its live-service strategy, with cancellations and failures like Concord following initial investments, though Helldivers 2 achieved significant success.
New Marathon update takes a leaf out of Arc Raiders' book and encourages you to play nice
Bungie's new update for Marathon introduces the 'CARRI' system, incentivizing players to cooperate with each other through commendations and rewards. This system encourages teamwork for contract objectives and exfiltration, offering benefits to players of all progression levels. The update also includes features like proximity chat and a 'Mercy Kit' to revive downed opponents, aiming to foster a less hostile player environment.
