Marathon
News, coverage and analysis tracking Marathon across the outlets.
Latest coverage
Marathon’s server slam weekend earns praise, gameplay complaints, and solid Steam numbers
Marathon's Server Slam weekend test garnered significant player numbers on Steam, reaching nearly 150,000 concurrent players, and also took place on PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X with crossplay. Feedback was mixed, with praise for strategic gameplay but complaints regarding sparse ammo, PvP engagements, UI, and time-to-kill. Bungie actively addressed issues like mouse lag and crashes on PC, while acknowledging player feedback on movement, TTK, and lobby options.
Bungie is considering a dedicated duos mode and time-to-kill changes after Marathon server slam feedback
Following its recent server slam, Bungie is considering player feedback for its upcoming game Marathon, including the potential for a dedicated duos mode and adjustments to the time-to-kill (TTK) in PvP. The developer is also reviewing PC performance issues and the in-game economy for healing items and ammunition. While Bungie is acknowledging player concerns, it has not committed to specific changes, emphasizing that these are considerations for post-launch iteration.
Marathon Drops Big News, Plus More Gaming Updates
Bungie's extraction shooter Marathon is set to launch on March 5, 2026, for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and Steam, featuring familiar gunplay from Halo and Destiny. Recent news also includes leaks about Starfield's potential PS5 release, Grand Theft Auto 6 appearing in PlayStation's database, and Resident Evil Requiem topping Metacritic user scores. Additionally, the Pokémon anime has yet to adapt the Red vs. Gold battle, and the 4X strategy game Old World is receiving a new DLC.
Halo players are having a meltdown over Women’s History Month post
Bungie faced backlash on social media for a Women's History Month post celebrating women in Halo. Many players criticized the post as performative, especially in light of past decisions to remove female Spartan armor designs. The article discusses the sexist rhetoric used by some players and questions Bungie's actual commitment to representation in gaming.
Bungie addresses Marathon Server Slam feedback and performance ahead of March 5 launch
Bungie has released a recap of player feedback from the Marathon Server Slam, addressing concerns about time-to-kill, inventory management, and performance issues on PC. The developer is evaluating player requests for duo lobbies and UI improvements ahead of the game's full launch on March 5.
Extraction Shooters Explained – What Kind of Game is Marathon? - IGN
The extraction shooter genre, popularized by games like Escape from Tarkov, is explained as a gameplay loop where players enter a map to find loot and complete objectives, then must extract before dying to keep their gear. Bungie's upcoming Marathon is highlighted as a new entry in the genre, alongside other notable titles like Arc Raiders and Hunt: Showdown. The article discusses the core mechanics, the risk of losing gear upon death, and the evolution of the genre.
Marathon is good, actually: the Arc Raiders-rivalling extraction shooter proves Bungie has still got what made Halo and Destiny great
Marathon's Server Slam offered a deep dive into Bungie's upcoming extraction shooter, revealing that despite a shaky initial inventory experience, the core gunplay is exceptionally strong. The game excels in fast-paced sci-fi combat, with satisfying weapon mechanics reminiscent of Bungie's past successes like Halo and Destiny, and fluid movement that keeps players engaged.
Marathon's frustrating lack of duo lobbies has just been tacked onto Bungie's to-do list
Bungie has added the lack of duo lobbies in Marathon to its list of feedback items to address. This addition comes despite an already extensive list of issues the developer is working on for the game.
This week in PC games: Marathon, Slay The Spire 2, a promising Disco-like RPG and a monastic garden mystery
This week's PC game releases include Bungie's Marathon reboot, the early access launch of Slay the Spire 2, and a variety of indie titles. Notable releases span genres from life simulation and CRPGs to roguelikes and survival RTS games, offering diverse experiences for players.
As the current Steam Next Fest wraps up, the 10 most-played demos might surprise you
The Steam Next Fest is showcasing numerous game demos, with Marathon, Burglin' Gnomes, and Windrose topping the play hour charts so far. Other popular titles include Vampire Crawlers, Far Far West, Outbound, John Carpenter's Toxic Commando, Wanderburg, Fate Trigger, and Everything is Crab: The Animal Evolution Roguelite.
Marathon vs ARC Raiders – is this town big enough for both shooters?
This article compares Bungie's upcoming extraction shooter Marathon with the recently released ARC Raiders, highlighting their fundamental differences despite both being in the same genre. While ARC Raiders is noted as the more mature and currently better-received game with a focus on PvE and deeper progression, Marathon emphasizes faster-paced PvPvE combat and a hero-shooter-like buildcrafting system.
Consider the lobster? Marathon's first unexpected mystery could be afoot as players puzzle over multi-coloured shellfish
Players in the upcoming Bungie game Marathon have discovered a mysterious, color-changing lobster on Tau Ceti IV. This enigmatic crustacean's hue shifts depending on the player class observing it, sparking community speculation about hidden puzzles or lore implications. The discovery adds to Bungie's tradition of incorporating subtle in-game mysteries.
Marathon duo queue requests "heard" by Bungie, as Server Slam concludes with a bang
Bungie has acknowledged player feedback following the Marathon Server Slam, confirming they have heard requests for a dedicated duo queue, which is currently not an option. The developers are also considering adjustments to the game's Time-to-kill, consumable economy, and UI based on player input. PC performance fixes are also planned before the game's full release.
Marathon Server Slam end time, rewards, and more
This article provides comprehensive details about the Marathon Server Slam event, including its end date and time, the activities involved, and a full breakdown of all available rewards. It serves as a guide for players participating in the event.
Bungie share top feedback from Marathon's playtest, including PC performance, UI issues and ammo shortages
Bungie has shared key feedback from the recent Marathon "server slam" playtest, addressing player concerns regarding PC performance, UI issues, and ammo economy. The developer is investigating reports of high CPU usage, low GPU utilization, and stuttering, while also acknowledging feedback on PvP frequency and movement mechanics. Network issues, specifically "Weasel" error codes, are also under investigation.
Marathon Server Slam Impressions – Strong Gunplay Held Back by a Rough First Day — Too Much Gaming | Video Games Reviews, News, & Guides
Marathon's Server Slam offered over 20 hours of gameplay, highlighting Bungie's signature gunplay but struggling with a steep learning curve and an intimidating UI. While the core shooting mechanics are strong, the extraction shooter's complex systems and lack of clear onboarding may deter new players, despite efforts to mitigate 'gear fear' with free loadouts and a risk-free Shell. The game shows potential, especially after the initial friction, but its rough first-day experience raises concerns for its March 5th launch.
Here's some of the most-played demos during Steam Next Fest - February 2026 edition
Valve has revealed some of the most played game demos during the Steam Next Fest event, which concludes on March 2nd. Popular titles include Marathon, Burglin' Gnomes, Windrose, Vampire Crawlers: The Turbo Wildcard, and Wanderburg. Some games will retain their demos after the event concludes.
Marathon dev Bungie responds to Server Slam feedback, particularly around UI, PC performance, and more
Bungie is addressing player feedback from Marathon's Server Slam, focusing on UI improvements, PC performance issues, and network error codes. The developer is gathering input on various aspects including PvP frequency, movement, and in-game economy to ensure a smooth launch on March 5th.
Mass pre-order cancellations have gamers wondering: Is Marathon the next Concord?
Marathon is experiencing a significant player drop following its Server Slam event, with player counts falling drastically from a peak of 144,000 to around 60,000. This decline, coupled with criticism of its UI, art style, and gameplay, has led to pre-order cancellations and demands for a price reduction. The game's struggles are contrasted with ARC Raiders, which maintains a much higher player count, raising concerns about Marathon's future in the extraction shooter genre.
Pokémon Winds, Go 'TK' Quest & Day Merch | TAG
This news roundup covers several Pokémon-related announcements, including the confirmation that Pokémon Winds and Waves, launching in 2027 exclusively for the Nintendo Switch 2, is inspired by Southeast Asia. It also details the Pokémon Go 'TK' Choose a Path quest, new merchandise for the 30th anniversary, and a dataminer's discovery of ROM support for older Pokémon titles in FireRed/LeafGreen Switch files. Additionally, the article touches on The Killing Stone's 'scare system,' Bluepoint Games' rejected Bloodborne remake pitch, Marathon's potential as a 2026 shooter, and Resident Evil Requiem's performance on the Steam Deck.