Marathon
News, coverage and analysis tracking Marathon across the outlets.
Latest coverage
Will Marathon's new PvE mode reignite interest around the fizzling game? Community reaction so far seems positive
Bungie has announced a new PvE mode for Marathon called Vault Breaker, set to launch on July 21st. This mode will allow players to explore endgame content without the threat of other players, facing only AI-controlled enemies. The community reaction has been largely positive, with many seeing it as a way to attract new players and re-engage lapsed ones, though some express concern over the separate progression system.
Marathon Vaultbreaker PvE Mode Explained — Too Much Gaming | Video Games Reviews, News, & Guides
Bungie is introducing a new PvE mode called Vaultbreaker for Marathon, allowing players to explore endgame maps with minimal risk to collect vault data. This data can be used to upgrade Sponsored Kits and earn gear for regular modes. The article also discusses upcoming Season 3 content, including a rework of the Perimeter map and new additions to the Cradle system, while noting the game's ongoing struggles with player accessibility and launch issues.
Marathon PvE mode “Vault Breaker” coming in July
Bungie announced that its extraction shooter Marathon will receive a new PvE mode called "Vault Breaker" on July 21st. This experimental mode can be played solo or with a crew and features its own progression system separate from the main extraction mode. The studio also confirmed that Marathon Season 3 will launch on September 22nd.
Marathon is finally getting a PVE mode called Vault Breaker
Bungie announced that Marathon will introduce its first PvE-only mode, Vault Breaker, during Season 2's mid-season update. This mode allows players to tackle the Cryo Archive vaults and the Compiler boss without interference from other players, though gear found within will not carry over to the main extraction mode's economy. The update also includes a new Cradle Evolution prestige system and hints at major additions for Season 3.
Marathon Mid-Season Update Introduces New Endgame PvE Mode
Bungie announced that Marathon's mid-season update, launching July 21, will introduce a new experimental PvE endgame mode called Vault Breaker. This mode allows players to explore the Cryo Archive map and its vaults solo or in a crew without encountering other players, with unique progression and rewards. The update also includes improvements to the Cradle Evolution system and increases progression speed, with Season 3 set to begin on September 22 with further early game changes and new content.
Marathon Adds a PvE Version of Cryo Archive on July 21st; Season 3 Goes Live on September 22nd
Bungie announced that Marathon will receive a PvE version of Cryo Archive on July 21st, featuring a "Vault Breaker" mode with a unique progression system. Season 3 is scheduled for September 22nd and will introduce new content including a Runner Shell, weapons, equipment, and an overhaul of Perimeter.
Marathon Confirms New PvE Mode Release Date, Season 3 Begins September 2026
Marathon has announced that its new PvE mode, Vault Breaker, will be released alongside the start of Season 3 in September 2026. Further details regarding the content of the season and the PvE mode are expected closer to the launch date.
Marathon's mid-season 2 update brings in an experimental PvE mode that will let solo and duo runners take on Cryo Archive
Bungie's Marathon is introducing a new experimental PvE mode called Vault Breaker in its mid-season update on July 21st. This mode allows solo, duo, or full crew runs through the Cryo Archive map, offering a progressively challenging experience with unique progression and a new currency, Vault Data, for upgrades. The update also includes the Cradle Evolution System and prepares for season 3's revamp of the Perimeter map.
Marathon's Vault Breaker PvE mode is coming in July, and here's the twist: You leave your loot behind
Bungie is introducing a new PvE mode for Marathon called Vault Breaker, set to launch on July 21. This mode allows players to explore the Cryo Archive map solo or in teams, facing escalating challenges without the risk of losing gear. Instead, players will earn Vault Data to upgrade their Sponsored Kits or purchase items for other modes, a design choice that has sparked mixed reactions among critics.
Morning Multiplex
Several games have released new content and trailers, including Hell Galaxy with a new gameplay trailer coming this summer. Marathon's 1.1.0.3 update is live, Rainbow Six Siege features M.U.T.E Protocol: Flesh & Metal gameplay, and RuneScape has released Umbral Sands for Dragonwilds.
Marathon dev Bungie thinks you're getting too much loot, and it wants to change that
Bungie is addressing an issue in Marathon where players are accumulating loot too quickly, leading to "bloated Vaults." The developer is investigating a bug causing higher rarity loot to drop more often than intended, which has resulted in players achieving the equivalent of three months' worth of progression in just two weeks. Bungie has implemented some fixes and progression tweaks, with plans to adjust the loot system further.
The MOP Up: Albion Online teases a new July event
Albion Online is teasing a new event called "Keeper Uprising" for Guild Season 33 starting July 4th, featuring special missions and rewards. This roundup also includes updates from RuneScape, Neverwinter, Entropia Universe, Dungeon Fighter Online, La Tale, Myth of Empires: Throne, Hearthstone, Cave Crave, MapleStory: Idle RPG, Star Trek Online, Mimesis, MechWarrior 5 Mercenaries, MechWarrior Online, Marathon, Persist Online, Planet Crafter, and Teamfight Tactics, covering new content, events, patches, and business changes.
Buffs, Nerfs, and Bugs
Marathon players are experiencing an excessive amount of loot in Season 2, a phenomenon the developers are actively investigating. Separately, StarCraft 2 developers are addressing game balance issues.
Marathon players are amassing way too much loot in Season 2, and the primary cause is a mystery: 'We're still…
Players in Marathon's second season are accumulating excessive amounts of loot, causing an imbalance in the game's economy. Bungie has identified several bugs and contributing factors, including "guaranteed gold drops" and "Sponsored Survival grind," but the primary cause of higher rarity loot proliferation remains elusive. The developer has implemented temporary progression tweaks while investigating the root issue.
Weekend PC Download Deals for June 19: GOG.com Summer Sale
This weekend's PC gaming deals include GOG.com's Summer Sale featuring discounts on titles like Hollow Knight Silksong and Cyberpunk 2077 Ultimate Edition. Steam and Epic Games Store also have various sales, with free games available on Epic Games Store and Amazon Luna. Humble Bundle offers several game bundles for different price tiers.
Issues and Activism
Task Bar Hero is experiencing a surge in popularity, but players are reporting what appear to be legitimate bans, with the developer remaining silent on the issue. Separately, Bungie has not addressed promises made to buyers of the Deluxe Edition of Marathon regarding the full game.
PlayStation’s Inconsistency of PC Releases and Lack of Revenue Led to Recent Exclusivity Shift – Rumor
Sony Interactive Entertainment has reportedly shifted its strategy, making single-player narrative games exclusive to PlayStation consoles due to inconsistent PC release performance and insufficient revenue. While live-service titles will still launch on PC alongside PlayStation 5, plans for PC ports of games like Ghost of Yōtei have been scrapped. This decision was apparently made recently, impacting future game releases.
Marathon Season 2 is testing my map knowledge in the most terrifying way: by turning the lights off
Marathon's second season introduces the Night Marsh map, which plunges players into darkness, forcing reliance on spatial memory and sound cues rather than flashlights. This design choice transforms the familiar map into a daunting navigational challenge, emphasizing stealth and positional awareness over direct confrontation. The article highlights how this darkness serves as both a terrifying obstacle and a unique gameplay mechanic, reminiscent of classic stealth titles.
Games Inbox: Do you need to buy a PS5 Pro to play GTA 6?
A reader expresses concern about how Grand Theft Auto 6 will perform on a standard PlayStation 5, speculating that a PlayStation 5 Pro might be necessary. The article also touches on industry topics like Microsoft's acquisition of Activision Blizzard, Capcom's success, and the merits of game remakes versus new titles.
PlayStation’s Marathon Bet Looks Like It’s Already Backfiring
Marathon, Bungie's extraction shooter, is struggling to maintain player numbers on Steam despite a recent season update and a free week, falling significantly from its launch peak. The game's high development cost, estimated at $200-250 million, coupled with Sony's reported $765 million in impairment losses related to Bungie's portfolio, suggests significant financial pressure. The article questions the viability of Marathon as a live-service title given its hardcore PvP focus and the market saturation, especially after Destiny 2's end of support.
