Marathon
News, coverage and analysis tracking Marathon across the outlets.
Latest coverage
Shack Chat: What's your Game of the Mid-Year?
Shacknews staff members share their personal favorite games released in the first half of 2026. Titles like Pragmata, Tomodachi Life: Living the Dream, Star Fox, and Marathon are highlighted for their engaging gameplay, compelling stories, and unique experiences.
Weekend PC Download Deals for July 3: Steam Summer Sale continues
The Steam Summer Sale and other PC gaming storefronts are offering numerous deals on a wide variety of titles. This includes discounts on major releases, indie games, and bundles across platforms like Steam, Epic Games Store, GOG, and Humble Bundle. Several retailers are participating, with prices and availability varying.
Jobs roundup: July 2026 | Marathon director Joe Ziegler leaves Bungie
This article rounds up recent hires and departures within the games industry for July 2026. Notable moves include Joe Ziegler leaving Bungie's Marathon team, Chris Chung joining Neowiz, and Robert Henrysson stepping down as CEO of Supermassive Games. Several other companies announced new appointments across marketing, production, and business development roles.
After layoffs and Destiny 2's abrupt end, Bungie "can't promise a fix" to reported issues: "We will get this out when possible"
Bungie has announced a delay for a Destiny 2 patch due to recent mass layoffs impacting the development team. The studio stated that while the patch is not indefinitely postponed, some fixes were being worked on by affected employees. Bungie is also addressing player-reported issues with Destiny 2's performance, acknowledging that while they "can't promise a fix," they will investigate.
July is a little light on the big new game releases, but your co-op horror Discord gang will be feastin'
July 2026 will see a lighter release schedule for major new games, with a focus on co-op horror titles and notable remakes like Assassin's Creed Black Flag: Resynced and Halo: Campaign Evolved. The month also includes updates for existing titles such as Palworld, Final Fantasy 14, and Doom: The Dark Ages, alongside various Steam sales and events.
This Week In Games Was Bad, But Next Week May Be Worse
The gaming industry experienced a particularly bleak week with multiple significant layoffs, studio closures, and price increases. Microsoft's Xbox division saw widespread job cuts, while Sony announced plans to end physical disc production for PlayStation games by 2028. These events, coupled with delays and the ongoing impact of AI discussions, paint a grim picture for the industry's immediate future.
Destiny 2 almost got an honest-to-goodness dating sim, but leadership gave it a ‘hard no’
Former Bungie developers revealed that a dating simulator concept based on Destiny 2 was developed internally but ultimately rejected by leadership. Former community manager Liana Ruppert confirmed the existence of the 'Dream Daddy inspired' concept and expressed agreement with criticism that leadership was out of touch. Separately, Bungie's Dylan Gafner offered words of encouragement to fans concerned about the game's current state, while the studio continues development on its upcoming extraction shooter, Marathon.
The MOP Up: Sky Children of the Light creates an interactive Vincent van Gogh exhibit
Sky Children of the Light has launched an interactive exhibit inspired by the art and life of Vincent van Gogh. This article also rounds up other recent MMO news, including updates for Sea of Thieves, Marathon, Raven2, Skull and Bones, Riftbound, Enlisted, The First Descendant's Evangelion collaboration, and Disney Dreamlight Valley's upcoming Adventure Pack.
MMO Week in Review: Guild Wars goes mobile, Bungie gets layoffs
This week's MMO news includes Guild Wars launching on mobile, Star Trek Online's new update, and Throne & Liberty's summer expansion. However, the industry also saw significant layoffs at Sony and Bungie, impacting hundreds of developers working on Destiny 2 and Marathon. Other news includes Valve's Steam Machine pricing, the ongoing Ashes of Creation lawsuit, and updates on Grand Theft Auto VI's online multiplayer.
PlayStation CEO promises to "revitalise the market" with more live service games
PlayStation CEO Hideaki Nishino stated in an interview that the company intends to invest more in live service games to "revitalize the market." This comes despite recent underperformances and layoffs in the live service genre, including at Bungie. PlayStation has had mixed success with live service titles, with hits like Helldivers 2 and notable failures like Concord.
Opinion: Everything hurts and no one knows when the pain will end
The article discusses the ongoing financial struggles and mass layoffs within the game industry, attributing them to a combination of economic factors, executive mismanagement, and alleged abuses of power. The author, Bryant Francis, shares personal coping mechanisms for dealing with the constant stream of bad news and emphasizes the need for the industry to learn from past mistakes.
Achievement Unlocked
A player in the upcoming game Marathon has reached level 45 without ever extracting or looting, a feat that has gone viral. This achievement highlights a unique playstyle and has sparked discussion about game mechanics and player dedication.
PlayStation – and The Gaming Industry – Just Doesn’t Learn With Live-Service
Despite numerous high-profile failures and significant layoffs within studios like Bungie and Quantic Dream, Sony Interactive Entertainment, led by Hideaki Nishino, remains committed to pursuing live-service games. This strategy is questioned due to past setbacks and the company's historical strength in single-player titles, with concerns that chasing trends is leading to wasted investment and development resources.
Something for the Weekend – 27/06/26
This week's gaming news was dominated by Grand Theft Auto 6, with pre-orders going live and details about the Ultimate Edition and digital-only physical copies revealed. Other news includes Bungie layoffs, SteamOS availability on PCs, and price increases for Xbox Series consoles. Several games received reviews, including Zero Parades: For Dead Spies and Gothic 1 Remake, while previews were offered for Resonance: A Plague Tale Legacy.
Bungie’s Recent Layoffs Affect 292 Employees in Washington State
Bungie has laid off 292 employees in Washington State, with their last day being July 9. The layoffs impact various departments, including art, engineering, and production, with some Destiny 2 developers affected. The news comes from a report citing a notice to the Washington State Employment Security Department from Sony.
Weekend PC Download Deals for June 26: Steam Summer Sale and friends
Multiple PC gaming storefronts, including Steam, GOG.com, and Epic Games Store, are hosting major summer sales with thousands of deals. Notable discounts are available on titles like Call of Duty: Black Ops 7, DOOM: The Dark Ages, and Cyberpunk 2077 Ultimate Edition. Some platforms also offer free titles or additional discounts for subscribers.
Looks like there's no firm favourite for 2026's GOTY just yet, though there are two standouts
As 2026 progresses, the race for Game of the Year is still wide open, with no clear frontrunner among players. Resident Evil Requiem and Crimson Desert are currently the top two contenders based on a reader poll, though many participants felt none of the provided options were their definitive choice. The article highlights various other games receiving votes, including 007 First Light, Slay the Spire 2, and Marathon.
Destiny 2 layoffs have affected around 300 workers so far and the studio head is stepping down
Bungie, the developer of Destiny 2, has laid off approximately 292 workers in Washington state, with more potential cuts affecting its 850 employees. Studio head Justin Truman is also stepping down from his position. These layoffs impact staff working on Destiny 2 and the upcoming Marathon game.
"We wanted more than anything to make you smile": Destiny 2 devs react to layoffs as ex-Bungie staff call out…
Bungie has conducted a significant round of layoffs, impacting numerous developers, including members of the Destiny 2 VFX team. Former employees and affected staff have shared their experiences on social media, with some criticizing leadership and calling for reflection from Sony. The layoffs follow the disappointing reception of Marathon and raise questions about the studio's future.
Hundreds affected in Bungie layoffs as “most of the Destiny team” departs
Bungie has undergone significant layoffs, affecting "most of the Destiny team" and some members of the Marathon development team. Studio co-founder Jason Jones was laid off, and studio head Justin Truman is stepping down. Sony confirmed 292 workers are impacted in Washington state, with the total number likely higher due to remote employees and contractors.
