Marathon
News, coverage and analysis tracking Marathon across the outlets.
Sony Writes Off Another $565 Million Impairment Loss Against BungieSony 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 Reports $765 Million Impairment Losses From Bungie in Latest Earnings ReportSony 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.
Sony Aims to “Improve the Performance” of Marathon by Focusing on Content, Player AcquisitionSony 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.- Buffs, Nerfs, and BugsThe 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 sidekickThe 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 yearsThis 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" endeavourTake-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 playersBungie'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 nowA 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 CommunityBungie 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 PlansBungie 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.
Unlike Destiny 2, Marathon's creative director says you'll "always be able to uncover the mysteries of Tau Ceti's past"Marathon's creative director Julia Nardin stated that players will always be able to uncover the game's past mysteries, contrasting with Destiny 2's vaulted content. Bungie aims for each season to be a new entry point, allowing new players to understand the ongoing narrative. Nardin also emphasized the importance of community involvement in shaping the story, a key aspect of live service games.- Bungie Confirms It Has Marathon Story Plans for 'the Next Few Years' But Nothing Is Completely 'Locked in' YetBungie has confirmed that it has story development plans for its upcoming game Marathon that will span at least the next few years. While specific details are not yet completely finalized, the studio intends to continue evolving the narrative.
The Sunday PapersThis article discusses various gaming and cultural topics, including a playable board game adaptation of Inscryption, the rise of wealthy individuals commissioning orchestras, and the impact of licensed crossover cards on Magic: The Gathering. It also touches on the narrative themes in Marathon, the decline of video game criticism at The A.V. Club, and a humorous comparison of Peter Molyneux to Beyonce.
Marathon’s Story Has a Plan “Over The Next Few Years”, But Bungie Wants Players to “Help Shape It”Bungie's Marathon creative director Julia Nardin stated that the studio has a long-term story plan for the extraction shooter, but also wants player feedback to help shape its evolution. The team aims to make the game accessible for new players at any time, avoiding issues like Destiny 2's content vaulting. Future seasons will introduce new content and gameplay elements, with Season 3 currently redacted, possibly due to ongoing development based on player input.- Marathon is marching toward perfectionThe article discusses ongoing improvements to the game Marathon, with each patch bringing it closer to perfection. A key area for future refinement highlighted is the reduction of grenade spam.
Bungie doesn't see Marathon going anywhere: "We know where we want to take the story over the next few…Bungie has a narrative plan for its extraction shooter Marathon that spans several years, according to creative director Julia Nardin. The studio views player input as crucial for shaping the story of this live service game, aiming for each season to be a new entry point for players.