Extraction Shooter
Ongoing coverage on Extraction Shooter.
Latest coverage
Marathon Review
Bungie's reboot of its 90s franchise, Marathon, is an extraction shooter that struggles to stand out in a crowded genre. While the gunplay is solid and reminiscent of Destiny, the game's narrative is poorly integrated, and its visual aesthetic, particularly the neon colors and blocky gear design, is an acquired taste. Server issues and a lack of map variety also detract from the experience, making it unlikely to be a memorable title for long.
Arc Raiders Expedition breaks, leaving players without promised skill points and Embark "actively…
Players of the extraction shooter Arc Raiders are reporting a bug where skill points are not being awarded after completing Expeditions. Embark Studios is aware of the issue and is working on a hotfix, with the cause potentially related to recent changes in how skill points are earned.
Marathon risks watering down its best feature if it keeps listening to FPS fans
This article discusses how Bungie's new extraction shooter, Marathon, risks losing its unique identity by catering too much to player demands for simpler menu navigation and clearer icons. The author argues that the game's commitment to diegetic storytelling and frictional design, inspired by Soulslike titles, is its strongest selling point and should not be watered down.
MMO Business Roundup: 2K’s layoffs, Indiana’s Roblox lawsuit, CCP’s rename, and the Tarkov effect
This MMO business roundup covers several industry developments, including layoffs at 2K Games' 31st Union studio working on Project Ethos. Indiana is suing Roblox and Discord over child safety concerns, while Escape from Tarkov's popularity is cited as a driver for the extraction shooter genre. CCP Games rebranded to Fenris Creations to avoid conflict with China, and Take-Two Interactive CEO Strauss Zelnick stated Grand Theft Auto VI is being developed without crunch.
New PUBG game, inspired by Escape from Tarkov, gets free playtest
Krafton, the makers of PUBG, are developing a new extraction shooter called Black Budget, inspired by Escape from Tarkov. The game features a tropical island setting with supernatural elements and a 30-minute match limit. Players can sign up for an upcoming playtest on Steam.
Sony Aims to “Improve the Performance” of Marathon by Focusing on Content, Player Acquisition
Sony 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.
Escape From Tarkov Lead Game Designer leaves Battlestate Games after nine years
Jean Tyulegenov, Lead Game Designer for Escape From Tarkov, has departed Battlestate Games after nearly nine years. Tyulegenov, who joined in 2017 and was instrumental in the game's development through its closed beta and 1.0 release, announced his departure on Twitter. His next venture remains undisclosed, but he expressed gratitude to Battlestate head Nikita Buyanov for the project.
I played Marathon and its 1994 predecessor to see how Bungie has evolved over the years
This 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.
Far Far West: Best Way to Level Up Character
This guide details the most efficient method for leveling up characters in Far Far West by repeatedly completing the tutorial. Players can earn 900 Hero XP per run by quickly defeating the tutorial boss and extracting, a process that can be completed in under 3 minutes with optimized character builds.
Recent Arc Raiders Steam reviews hit 'mixed' for the first time since launch, and I can see why
Arc Raiders' Steam reviews have shifted to 'mixed' following the Riven Tides update, a stark contrast to its 'overwhelmingly positive' reception at launch. Players are expressing frustration with the new map and significant balancing issues, particularly concerning weapon degradation and constant weapon nerfs. The developers have acknowledged the feedback and are exploring adjustments to improve the player experience.
If you're asking why everyone's making an extraction shooter, Escape from Tarkov is the 11th most-played game on PC according to new report, beating Overwatch, Marvel Rivals, and PUBG
A new report from Newzoo indicates that Escape from Tarkov is the 11th most-played game on PC for 2025, surpassing titles like Overwatch 2, Marvel Rivals, PUBG, and Apex Legends in total playtime. While not reaching the heights of Fortnite or Counter-Strike 2, its performance highlights the genre's popularity among dedicated players.
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.
Arc Raiders dev thinks yesterday's niche "can become mainstream tomorrow," and today's extraction shooters are simply "easier to step into"
Embark Studios design director Virgil Watkins believes that extraction shooters, once a niche genre, are becoming mainstream due to new titles being more accessible. He notes that the high bar for live service games requires new entrants to earn their place among established player bases.
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.
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.
Marathon (1994) and Marathon (2026) are at opposite ends of FPS history, but playing them at the same time I'm finding they have a lot in common, despite their vast differences
This article compares the original 1994 Marathon with the upcoming 2026 version, highlighting their shared narrative themes and design philosophies despite vast differences in genre and technology. The author explores how both games, from the early days of FPS to modern extraction shooters, utilize environmental storytelling and AI characters to create compelling experiences.
Weekend Console Download Deals for May 1: Marathon goes on sale
Bungie's extraction shooter Marathon is available at a discount as part of the latest PlayStation and Xbox sales. This marks the first major sale for the game.
Irreverent co-op extraction FPS Far Far West enters early access with strong sales and player reviews
The co-op extraction shooter Far Far West, developed by Evil Raptor and published by Fireshine Games, has achieved strong sales in its first 48 hours of early access on Steam, selling over 250,000 copies. The game has also garnered an "overwhelmingly positive" user review score and reached a peak of over 34,000 concurrent players. Developers have released a hotfix addressing bugs, save file backups, and in-game balance adjustments.
Far Far West is Steam's latest indie success story, racking up 250,000 sales and a 97% rating in just two days
Far Far West, an extraction shooter with a fantasy Old West theme developed by Evil Raptor, has achieved significant success on Steam, selling 250,000 copies and earning a 97% positive rating within its first two days. The game supports up to four-player co-op and features a blend of cowboy weaponry and elemental magic. Currently in Early Access with a launch discount, its price is expected to increase upon full release.
