Marathon
News, coverage and analysis tracking Marathon across the outlets.
Bungie makes Marathon's Cryo Archive map less brutal, blocking spawn rush strats and giving out one free sponsored…Bungie has implemented changes to the Cryo Archive map in Marathon to improve the player experience. These updates include providing a free sponsored kit each weekend and addressing spawn rush strategies by blocking common routes used by aggressive players. The WSTR shotgun has also been rebalanced to encourage more reliable body shots.
What do Marathon and The Lord of the Rings have to do with each other? PvPvE gameplay, apparentlyBungie game director Joe Ziegler compares the PvPvE gameplay of the upcoming game Marathon to classic adventure stories like The Lord of the Rings. He explains that the balance between predictable PvE challenges and the unpredictable nature of other players creates compelling experiences. Ziegler believes this dynamic is crucial for the success of extraction shooters.- Morning PatchesThis article provides a roundup of recent official game patches and updates. Noteworthy updates include ARC Raiders - Riven Tides, Ember and Blade - Demo Version Hotfix Update, Marathon Update 1.0.6.2, and the release of MEMORIAPOLIS - Banners & Wonders. Way of the Hunter 2 also received an update.
- Control IssuesBungie has shared official recommendations for DualSense Edge controller settings for their upcoming game, Marathon. These settings are intended to optimize player experience on the PlayStation 5.
- Marathon’s controversial WSTR shotgun receives further changes in latest updateBungie has released a new update for Marathon, focusing on further adjustments to the WSTR Combat Shotgun. The update increases the shotgun's base damage and damage against AI targets, while slightly reducing its critical multiplier and damage falloff rate. This patch also includes various bug fixes and other minor gameplay adjustments.
Marathon: Bungie shares official DualSense Edge controller setting recommendationsBungie has shared official recommendations for configuring the DualSense Edge wireless controller for their game Marathon. The guide details button remapping, trigger adjustments, stick sensitivity curves, and deadzone settings to optimize gameplay for different playstyles and character shells. These settings aim to enhance aiming, movement, and quick access to in-game actions.- Where to find Bioprinters in MarathonThis guide details the locations of Bioprinters within the game Marathon, noting that they can be difficult to find. It provides specific search areas for players seeking these items.
Marathon boss says extraction shooters are like The Lord of the Rings and that's why they need PvPJoe Ziegler, game director for Bungie's Marathon, compares the extraction shooter genre to The Lord of the Rings, arguing that the inclusion of unpredictable player-versus-player (PvP) elements is crucial for creating memorable and suspenseful experiences. He believes this PvPvE balance is key to the genre's appeal, contrasting it with purely PvE-focused games.
I've been using Valve's new Steam Controller and for living room gaming there's nothing else like itThe Steam Controller offers a unique approach to PC gaming from the couch, utilizing trackpads and gyro controls to mimic mouse input. While it excels at navigating desktops and playing certain genres like strategy or RPGs, it's not a competitive-focused gamepad. Its functionality is tied to Steam, and while it provides extensive customization, cheaper alternatives exist for those seeking a standard controller experience.
Free Kit Frenzy rids Marathon of most of its stress, but risks tossing out tension and teamwork tooBungie's new limited-time 'Free Kit Frenzy' mode for Marathon aims to reduce stress by providing players with basic starting gear, removing the risk associated with bringing personal equipment into matches. While this mode offers a more accessible experience and can facilitate certain contracts, it may also diminish the game's core tension, teamwork, and the unique appeal of its extraction shooter mechanics.
Crimson Desert is just more proof that waiting to play games is the bestThis article argues that waiting to play new games, especially after initial patches and bug fixes, leads to a better overall experience. The author uses Crimson Desert as an example, noting how the game has improved significantly since its March 19 release due to developer updates addressing AI assets, controls, and bugs. The piece suggests that patience is rewarded with a more polished and enjoyable gaming experience, especially for titles with complex development cycles like those from Ubisoft and Bethesda.
Marathon Coverage Builds Buzz Around Bungie’s Sci-Fi ComebackBungie's upcoming extraction shooter Marathon is generating significant community buzz, with content creators and fans showing strong interest in the return to the iconic sci-fi universe. The game aims to blend Bungie's signature polish with the cerebral, cyberpunk aesthetic of deep science fiction, differentiating itself from more military-focused titles in the genre. This revival of a dormant IP represents a major bet by Bungie on a growing genre, with anticipation high for further gameplay details and release information.
Tarkov chief Nikita Buyanov is right: Arc Raiders is an extraction shooter for "casual people," but…This article discusses how Arc Raiders, despite being an extraction shooter, offers a more casual and cozy experience compared to games like Escape from Tarkov. The author argues that any game can be a 'cozy game' depending on the player's relationship with it, highlighting Arc Raiders' forgiving nature, low FOMO, and community focus as key elements that make it accessible.
Fairgame$ Fails to Impress in Latest Pre-Alpha Playtest – RumorA recent pre-alpha playtest for Haven Studios' Fairgame$ reportedly received significant negative feedback from players regarding movement, classes, and NPCs. The extraction shooter mode, Cargo Heist, was described as incomplete or boring, with participants only playing a few matches. This follows departures of key personnel, including game director Daniel Drapeau and founder Jade Raymond, raising concerns about the project's future.- Marathon's key templates encourage cowardiceBungie's implementation of key templates in Marathon is criticized for encouraging passive and stagnant gameplay. The article suggests that the current design choices lead to less engaging player experiences.
Halo lead mocks rumors that the studio is chasing Arc Raiders and Marathon with a PvE extraction shooter spin-offHalo community director Brian Jarrard humorously addressed rumors of a PvE extraction shooter spin-off, mocking the speculation with a joke about a pottery game. While not a direct denial, his response comes amid ongoing speculation about the future of the Halo franchise and the studio's development priorities. The article also touches on the popularity of extraction shooters and the potential for a Halo-themed game in that genre.
After a slow start, Last Flag developer says you can't become the next big hit just by ticking boxes:…Night Street Games, co-founded by Dan and Mac Reynolds, released the multiplayer shooter Last Flag, which, despite positive reviews and a low price, is struggling to find an audience. The studio emphasizes the importance of creative vision over chasing trends, stating that a game's soul comes from the team's inspiration. They believe new and exciting experiences will still attract players, even within popular genres.
"It's a slippery slope to try and build a game for an audience": Marathon, Arc Raiders, and Last Flag devs dig into the trend-bucking evolution of multiplayer shootersDevelopers from Bungie, Embark Studios, and Night Street Games discuss the evolving landscape of multiplayer shooters, particularly the rise of extraction shooters like Arc Raiders and Marathon. They emphasize the importance of creative vision over trend-chasing and the challenges of launching live service games in a competitive market.
Former PlayStation head isn't sure how Sony can recoup those big budgets without first-party games coming to PCFormer PlayStation Studios boss Shuhei Yoshida expressed uncertainty about Sony's strategy for recouping massive game development budgets without releasing first-party titles on PC. He noted that while releasing games on PC after a delay helped recoup investments during the PlayStation 5 generation, he hasn't seen proof of a strategy change for the current generation.
New Gran Turismo 7 update is the live service success Sony keeps ignoringGran Turismo 7 is presented as a successful live service model for Sony, despite not being officially branded as such. The game continues to receive frequent updates with new cars and events, contributing to significant sales figures on PlayStation 5 and PlayStation 4, and generating revenue through microtransactions. This success is contrasted with Sony's broader struggles in launching its own live service titles, suggesting a need for the company to learn from its existing successful games rather than forcing the model onto other franchises.