A Deep Dive Into Bungie's Marathon Before Its Soon-Release Date

Bungie's new extraction shooter, Marathon, is a reboot of the classic 1994 game, and it has been a long road to its upcoming release. The game is set on the lost colony of Tau Ceti IV, where players take on the role of cybernetic "Runners" to retrieve valuable resources. This player-versus-player-versus-environment (PvPvE) experience will have players competing against each other while also facing AI-controlled enemies and environmental hazards. The game is set to launch on PC, PS5, and Xbox Series X/S with full cross-play and cross-save functionality. The journey to this point, however, has not been without its challenges, including a significant delay and a controversy over stolen art assets.

The development of Marathon saw a major shift after initial playtest feedback was mixed. This led to a delay in the Marathon release date, which is now set for March 5, 2026. Bungie used this extra time to overhaul core gameplay mechanics, including AI, combat, visuals, and social features. The studio also introduced highly requested features like proximity chat. The re-reveal of the game in December 2025 was met with a much more positive reception, and pre-orders have been strong, indicating a potential success for the title.

Adding to the pre-release drama was the departure of the game's art director, Joseph Cross, in December 2025, just three months before the game's launch. In a recent interview with former art director Joseph Cross, he reflected on the online discourse surrounding the game, stating, "I believe in the art, because I believe in what we've done. I think we did something really cool, and I think it will pan out." He acknowledged the pressure of working on such a large-scale project and the uncertainty of its reception, especially in the wake of other high-profile game failures.

"The art is really the most important thing to me here. It's difficult for me to take any of that stuff personally because I believe in the art, because I believe in what we've done. I think we did something really cool, and I think it will pan out." — Joseph Cross

The development of Marathon was also marred by Marathon leaks and a plagiarism controversy. An artist accused Bungie of using her designs without permission in the game's environmental art. Bungie acknowledged the "oversight" and the issue was "resolved to my satisfaction," according to the artist. This incident, coupled with company layoffs, contributed to a challenging development cycle for the game.

Despite these hurdles, the focus now is on the game's impending launch. Bungie is aiming to "push the boundaries of what an extraction shooter can do with its story," according to creative director Julia Nardin. The game will feature a rich narrative and a star-studded voice cast to bring the world of Tau Ceti IV to life.

Read also, the extraction shooter debate has resurfaced with unusual force this week, as former Bungie product manager Chris Sides questioned whether the term should exist at all. His remarks, shared on the Shooter Monthly Podcast, cut directly into the current conversation around a genre that has surged in visibility thanks to Escape from Tarkov, Arc Raiders, and a growing catalogue of similar titles. The label, he argued, hasn’t kept pace with the variety of games it tries to contain.