Marathon
News, coverage and analysis tracking Marathon across the outlets.
Latest coverage
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.
Sony cuts 292 jobs at Destiny maker Bungie
Sony Interactive Entertainment is laying off 292 employees at its subsidiary Bungie, impacting most of the Destiny 2 team and some members of the Marathon team. Studio Business Group CEO Hermen Hulst stated the decision was made after reviewing the studio's long-term direction and priorities. This news follows a previous report of planned significant staff cuts and a substantial write-down of Bungie's acquisition value by Sony.
Uppgifter: hälften av Bungies anställda får gå
Bungie is undergoing significant layoffs, reportedly affecting over 400 employees, which is approximately half of its workforce. The cuts include a majority of the Destiny team, some members of the Marathon team, and Sony employees who supported Bungie. Sony is attempting to find new roles for affected staff.
'Generational talent just gone': Developers react in shock at the brutal scale of Bungie layoffs, which has reportedly seen the Destiny 2 team almost completely wiped out
Bungie has undergone a significant reduction in force, reportedly impacting most of the Destiny 2 team, along with members of the Marathon team and external contractors. Sony confirmed the layoffs, with a WARN notice indicating 292 positions affected in Washington, though the total number is likely higher. The news has drawn widespread shock and dismay from developers and the gaming community, with many former employees sharing their experiences.
Sony announces major layoffs at Bungie, including most of the Destiny team
Sony has announced significant layoffs at its subsidiary Bungie, impacting a substantial portion of the Destiny development team. Some employees working on the Marathon project were also affected, and studio head Justin Truman has stepped down.
Bungie confirms devastating layoffs in Destiny 2, Marathon teams as Sony casts dark shadow
Bungie has confirmed significant layoffs affecting teams working on Destiny 2 and the upcoming Marathon game. The article suggests these cuts are a consequence of Sony's influence following their acquisition of the studio.
Sony is laying off majority of Destiny 2 team as studio head leaves Bungie
Sony Interactive Entertainment is laying off the majority of the Destiny 2 development team at Bungie, with studio head Justin Truman also departing. This follows previous layoffs and a review of Bungie's long-term strategy and priorities. While support for Marathon will continue, the studio is shifting focus to new projects, though the exact nature of these is unclear.
Bungie Studio Head Is Reportedly Stepping Down
Bungie studio head Justin Truman is reportedly stepping down, less than a year after taking the role. This news follows significant layoffs at the company, impacting the Destiny 2 team and some members of the Marathon and Sony Interactive Entertainment support teams. Sony Interactive Entertainment CEO Herman Hulst stated the reduction was necessary to align resources with current priorities.
Following the last Destiny 2 update, layoffs at Bungie are underway, with most of the shooter's team affected
Bungie has confirmed layoffs affecting most of the Destiny 2 team and some Marathon developers, following the game's final major update. The company cited a need to reorganize and stated that these changes are necessary for the studio's future, acknowledging that Destiny 2 fell short of expectations.
