Marathon
News, coverage and analysis tracking Marathon across the outlets.- Buffs, Nerfs, and BugsThe 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) UsersMarathon'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 – 18/04/26This 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 BugsThis 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 – RumorA 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 YetSony'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 PartnershipMarathon 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 BundleHumble 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 $28 for 11 items and a coupon for the upcoming Marathon game. A portion of the proceeds will be donated to the Bungie Foundation.
Bungie's latest experiment turns Marathon into a battle royale, and it's a hit: 'Free kit queue might be…Bungie is experimenting with a 'free kit frenzy' mode in Marathon, which functions as a battle royale where players use scavenged gear. This limited-time event, running until April 29, aims to gather data on the early gear system and has been met with positive player reception, with many hoping it becomes a permanent addition. The success of this mode suggests a potential for Marathon to accommodate a more casual, battle royale-oriented audience alongside its hardcore extraction shooter roots.
Sony's MIA Live-Service Game Is Going In The Exact Direction You'd ExpectNew details have emerged regarding Sony's upcoming live-service game, Fairgame$, 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 niceBungie'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.- Extraction shooter Marathon wings out a Mid-Season 1 UpdateBungie has released a mid-season update for its extraction shooter Marathon, introducing new content and improvements. Patch 1.0.6 includes balance tweaks, a refreshed season pass with more rewards, enhancements to recon shells, a new Mercy kit, a self-revive item, and a new activity called the C.A.R.R.I. protocol.
- Marathon Update ReactionBungie's adjustments to Marathon's difficulty are reportedly making the game more accessible to a wider audience. These changes aim to balance the challenge while appealing to more casual players.
Marathon is a good game, former FPS pro Shroud says, "the problem right now is it's too hard"Former FPS pro Shroud believes Bungie's Marathon is a good game but is currently too difficult, hindering player retention and first impressions. He suggests that while the high barrier to entry might be a positive in the long run as content is added, the game needs a better onboarding process to help new players get into it.
"The most fun I've had in the last week playing" - Marathon players react to the mid-season update, and its new friendly-first featuresMarathon has received a mid-season update introducing the C.A.R.R.I feature, which rewards players for assisting others with contracts and extracting together. While some players have embraced the new friendly mechanics, finding it to be the most fun they've had recently, others report that the core playerbase remains largely unchanged, with some even exploiting the system. The update also includes balance changes and a new experimental game mode.
Get all of the Destiny 2 expansions at 92% off with this Humble Bundle dealA Humble Bundle deal offers the Destiny 2 Expansions Bundle, including multiple DLCs like The Witch Queen, Lightfall, and The Final Shape, at a 92% discount. The bundle also includes a coupon for Bungie's upcoming game, Marathon. This collection provides a comprehensive way to experience the available story content of the sci-fi FPS.