Marathon is in a peculiar situation. It is not a failure, but it is also not a great success, with a tremendously loyal audience that loves the game. This has led to Sony reevaluating the value of the acquisition of Bungie, the developer studio of both games, considering they have lost 765 million dollars in the process, especially after the failure of Destiny 2. They want to address this by trying to give Marathon a boost with a free week of gameplay. A free week coinciding with its second season. From June 2 to June 9, you will be able to play Marathon completely […]
Marathon is in a peculiar situation. It is not a failure, but it is also not a great success, with a tremendously loyal audience that loves the game. This has led to a reevaluation of the value of acquiring Bungie, the developer studio of both games, at Sony, considering they have lost 765 million dollars in the process. Something they want to address by trying to give Marathon a boost with a week of free play.
A free week coinciding with its second season
From June 2 to 9, you will be able to play Marathon completely free on both PC and PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S. This will coincide with the launch of Season 2 of the game, titled NIGHTFALL, in which the game maps will take a dark turn towards the survival horror genre. Something that was already present in the first season, but will be reinforced in this second one.
All of this will be accompanied by certain systems and modes designed for new players. The first of these will be the Cradle progression system, with which we will be able to customize the attributes of our Hunter. The other includes two PvE modes, which will free the game from any kind of combat against players, removing the tension of potentially losing everything we have achieved at any moment, with the hope of attracting a larger audience that may be intimidated by the harshness of the game’s basic premise.
The idea at Bungie is to continue refining the experience of Marathon. For the third season, they want to ensure that the experience for new players is the best possible, and for the fourth, to add depth to the extraction system and its consequences. It seems that, although Marathon is not performing as expected at Sony, we still have a lot of gameplay ahead.
Sony is not escaping the mouths of gamers. Not for the better. For every interesting news like the upcoming State of Play on June 2, there are at least a couple of much less positive news. The general perception is that Sony is in serious trouble this generation. PlayStation 5 is a console that is perceived as lacking video games, and moreover, it seems that Sony is not doing anything to improve that situation. In fact, it seems they have no problem worsening it. PlayStation 5 will have exclusives, but in what way Hermen Hulst, CEO of Studio Business […]
Sony is not escaping the mouths of gamers. Not for the better. For every piece of interesting news like the upcoming State of Play on June 2, there are at least a couple of much less positive news. And the general perception is that Sony is in serious trouble this generation. PlayStation 5 is a console that is perceived as lacking video games, and moreover, it seems that Sony is not doing anything to improve that situation. In fact, it seems they have no problem worsening it.
PlayStation 5 will have exclusives, but in what way
Hermen Hulst, CEO of Studio Business Group —in charge of first-party studios and adaptations of PlayStation IPs to other media—, communicated last Monday, May 18, to the company’s internal studios that most of their games will become exclusive to PlayStation 5. This has caused quite a stir of discontent among players.
This has nuances. As Hulst himself clarified, this will not affect all video games, since multiplayer games, like Marathon or Helldivers 2, will continue to appear normally on PC. But narrative games focused on an exclusive single-player experience, like Spider-Man, God of War, or Ghost of Tsushima, which have currently appeared on PC, will not have their sequels on PC as their fans might expect.
This is not new information. Bloomberg already warned last March that these were the internal plans within Sony, although without an official confirmation, everything remained up in the air. But now that it has been made, it seems evident what its purpose is: to create a reason for users to buy PlayStation 5 and integrate into the PlayStation ecosystem.
A convenient price increase
If this weren’t enough, PlayStation has decided to raise the prices of all its products. In addition to the fact that PlayStation 5 already increased in price last March, the third time in this generation, they have also decided to raise the prices of their PlayStation Plus service, essential for online gaming. This is something that, once again, has not been well received among users. Having to pay between 1 and 2 euros more on average for each month of the service may seem like a small increase, but it must be added to all the other price increases of the company’s products.
What is the reason for all this? It is because the situation of PlayStation this generation is tremendously precarious. Although they attribute it to the economic and geopolitical situation, due to the price of oil, computer materials, and customs —which they have also tried to take advantage of—, they also face a self-induced problem.
At the beginning of the generation, they decided to firmly bet on games as a service, announcing up to 12 of them for mid-2026. Of those, less than half have survived. With all the released ones being a failure, except for Helldivers 2, it seems that PlayStation’s policy has changed again to refocus on narrative-driven single-player games, with one problem. They have been in development for a long time, and all their studios have been busy making games as a service at the company’s insistence.
If users feel that PlayStation 5 lacks games, it is because the cadence of their release has been minimal. And it is not going to improve in the future. They tried to find their own Fortnite in games like Marathon, but they failed, and now they are trying to save the situation by raising prices, returning to single-player games, and putting the burden of the price on the players. But is this a good strategy? Only time will tell. But what is evident is that Sony is not in a good situation. And to a large extent, it is not because of what they have done to themselves.
Jason Schreier, a video game journalist from Bloomberg who already talked about this information last March, has confirmed on Bluesky that the CEO of PlayStation Studio, Hermen Hulst, told his employees last Monday that the company will release its narrative games exclusively for PlayStation consoles. This will only affect games that provide a single-player experience, like Ghost of Yotei or the recent Saros, but not games that are multiplayer experiences, like Marathon or the anticipated Marvel Tokon. PlayStation wants you to play its games on its console This is […]
This will only affect games that provide a single-player experience, such as Ghost of Yotei or the recent Saros, but not games that are multiplayer experiences, like Marathon or the anticipated Marvel Tokon.
PlayStation wants you to play its games on its console
This is something that has been rumored for months, but there was no confirmation until now. This means that anyone who has played Sony games on PC, such as God of War or Ghost of Tsushima, will need a PlayStation 5 to play their sequels.
Although it is a commercially sensible measure, as it provides reasons to buy their hardware, it is also being perceived among users as a move against PC gamers. Many of them have invested their time and money in the games they have released on PC and have no interest in switching to console, even if they are interested in the franchises they have developed. This demonstrates a disconnect between the player base and Sony’s business interests.
Moreover, it does not seem to fit the economic reality of these titles. All of Sony’s narrative titles have sold millions on PC, extending their lifespan.While it is true that they have also faced, on more than one occasion, compatibility issues and less than optimal performance.
Pending official confirmation, it seems that PC users will no longer be able to enjoy Sony titles on their platform.
Marathon and Arc Raiders have positioned themselves at the forefront of a new wave of extraction shooters that are generating intense debate about the balance between PvP and PvE in the genre. While Marathon, developed by Bungie, focuses more on PvP, Arc Raiders has gained notoriety for offering friendly lobbies and challenging PvE events. Recently, the latter launched a brutal PvE map event, which has attracted even more attention from players. Threats of the caliber are needed Joe Ziegler, director of Marathon, emphasizes that the balance between these two modes of […]
Marathon and Arc Raiders have positioned themselves at the forefront of a new wave of extraction shooters that are generating intense debate about the balance between PvP and PvE in the genre.While Marathon, developed by Bungie, focuses more on PvP, Arc Raiders has gained notoriety for offering friendly lobbies and challenging PvE events. Recently, the latter launched a brutal PvE map event, which has attracted even more attention from players.
Threats of the right caliber are needed
Joe Ziegler, director of Marathon, emphasizes that the balance between these two modes of play is essential for creating memorable experiences. According to Ziegler, the key lies in empowering players to make meaningful decisions and face the consequences of their actions. This approach, while not exclusive to extraction shooters, allows for moments of tension and adaptability, which are at the heart of the best gaming experiences.
In his statements, Ziegler compares the development of Marathon to classic narratives like those of The Lord of the Rings, suggesting that stories are enriched by the inclusion of unpredictable elements. “Imagine the journey of Frodo and the Fellowship of the Ring; it wouldn’t be as interesting if they were only facing dangerous wildlife without malicious adversaries trying to seize the ring,” argues Ziegler. This perspective invites reflection on the nature of stories in video games and the importance of surprise.
Likewise, Ziegler joked about which characters from Marathon could fit as members of the Fellowship of the Ring, elevating the conversation to a realm of cultural crossover that resonates deeply within the gamer community. Meanwhile, speculation about a potential PvE spin-off of Halo, which would focus on extraction games, further fuels interest in this emerging subgenre.
Since its launch, the WSTR shotgun has dominated the battlefield in Marathon, generating intense debate within the community. This weapon is recognized for its effectiveness in close combat, but its power has led Bungie to plan a nerf, the second in the game since its release. According to the game director, Joe Ziegler, the goal of this change is to balance the gameplay experience, especially against players using blue shields. The balance in question The nerf means that players equipped with the WSTR will no longer be able to eliminate a rival with a […]
Since its launch, the WSTR shotgun has dominated the battlefield in Marathon, generating intense debate within the community. This weapon is recognized for its effectiveness in close combat, but its power has led Bungie to plan a nerf, the second in the game since its release. According to the game director, Joe Ziegler, the goal of this change is to balance the gameplay experience, especially against players using blue shields.
The balance in question
The nerf means that players equipped with the WSTR will no longer be able to eliminate a rival with a blue shield in two shots, which will force a reload in crucial confrontations. Ziegler explained in a post on Steam that this modification aims to promote more strategic gameplay and provide players with more options to counter their opponents, thus increasing the diversity of strategies and tactics within the game.
Despite its previous nerf, which had significantly reduced the range of the WSTR, the shotgun remains a powerful option, especially for those exploring the early missions where green shields prevail. The community has responded positively to Bungie’s efforts to adjust the game’s meta, appreciating the changes that allow for more enjoyable and less restrictive extraction experiences.
Additionally, Bungie has been experimenting with sponsored kits that limit the allowed loadouts, promoting a more free gaming experience. This flexibility has been well received; however, new additions, such as the Mercy Kits, have generated unexpected situations where players often use them offensively, adding an ironic twist to the game. With these changes, it is clear that Bungie is committed to the dynamic development of Marathon, seeking to maintain the interest of both new players and veterans of the franchise.
The players of Marathon, the new title from Bungie, will have the opportunity to try an experimental duo mode starting March 18. This new mode, which will operate on a single map called Perimeter, will be available for a limited period of approximately two weeks. The decision on whether it will be implemented permanently will depend on the feedback that players provide during this testing phase. They warn that it will not be polished from the start. The game director, Joe Ziegler, explained that this feature has been requested by the community since the “server slam” that […]
Players of Marathon, Bungie’s new title, will have the opportunity to try out a duo mode experimentally starting March 18. This new mode, which will operate on a single map called Perimeter, will be available for a limited period of approximately two weeks.
The decision on whether it will be implemented permanently will depend on the feedback players provide during this testing phase.
They warn that it will not be polished from the start
Although the duos mode is presented as a “nice to have” option, Bungie acknowledges that its implementation is a significant challenge, as changing the composition of teams could alter how the game flows and the behavior of players within the map.
As the release date for this new feature approaches, Bungie seems committed to learning from this experience to better understand how to expand the duos mode in the future. With this initiative, the company hopes to take a step forward in the evolution of the game and consider implementing improvements based on the feedback it receives.
The launch of Marathon, the new game from Bungie, has been a rollercoaster of expectations and rejections. Initially, the game suffered a delay that raised doubts about its reception. However, the recent free trial offer attracted a large number of players, resulting in a successful launch in terms of engagement and user satisfaction. Give yourself a marathon of Marathon. According to data from Steam, Marathon reached an impressive peak of 86,718 simultaneous users on its launch day, a figure that supports the generated interest. Reviews have been predominantly positive, with 85% […]
The launch of Marathon, Bungie’s new game, has been a rollercoaster of expectations and rejections. Initially, the game faced a delay that raised doubts about its reception.
According to data from Steam, Marathon reached an impressive peak of 86,718 simultaneous users on its launch day, a figure that supports the generated interest.
Reviews have been predominantly positive, with 85% favorable ratings, increasing to 90% among those who spent more than an hour playing the game. These statistics suggest that, although the title cannot be considered the biggest success in the industry, it has managed to dispel initial negative expectations.
In commercial terms, Marathon has outperformed Resident Evil: Requiem, positioning itself as the second best-selling game on Steam, just behind Slay The Spire 2. Although the figures on PlayStation and Xbox Series may differ, it is expected to continue rising on those platforms. This positive response leaves Bungie in a better position than many anticipated.
However, the game has been designed as a continuous service, which means that its long-term success will depend on Bungie’s ability to maintain public interest. The recent decline of titles like Highguard demonstrates that sustaining player attention is a significant challenge.
To address this, Bungie plans to release additional content to revitalize the Marathon experience, ensuring that players have reasons to return in the short, medium, and long term.
With ongoing development, it is expected that Bungie will implement a series of updates to keep the game fresh and appealing to its player base, which is crucial in a competitive market where other titles in the genre are on the rise.
Bungie and PlayStation have been at the center of controversy since the presentation of Marathon, a title that has generated discontent among many players due to its design decisions. The criticism has been so significant that the developers chose to delay the release, seeking to improve the experience for users. Despite this, the game has surprised by ranking number 12 among the best-selling items on Steam, a fact that shows that, despite skepticism, there is notable interest among the public. To run a marathon Marathon, whose release date is […]
Bungie and PlayStation have been at the center of controversy since the presentation of Marathon, a title that has generated discontent among many players due to its design decisions. The criticism has been so significant that the developers chose to delay the release, seeking to improve the experience for users. Despite this, the game has surprised by ranking 12th among the best-selling items on Steam, a fact that shows that, despite skepticism, there is notable interest among the public.
Running a Marathon
Marathon, which is scheduled for release on March 5, 2026, will have a price of 39.99 euros for its standard version and will reach up to 236.99 euros for its collector’s edition. The latter offers special incentives for those who pre-order, which has triggered a wave of early purchases. Although the title is well-positioned among paid products, its success is not guaranteed, as it has received unfavorable comparisons to other failures in the world of games as a service.
The new trailer presented by Bungie has revealed details about the various editions of the game, which could influence future interest and sales. However, the underlying question remains: Will Marathon be able to maintain its momentum in a saturated global market and compete with other well-established titles? Meanwhile, players will continue to be divided, between those who show expectations and those who disapprove of what they have seen so far.
With the upcoming launch, it will be crucial to observe whether the wave of pre-orders translates into sustained success or if, in the end, the reviews significantly influence the game’s reception at its debut.
Marathon, the ambitious project from PlayStation and Bungie, has been the subject of controversy since its announcement. The initial criticisms from the gaming community led the developers to decide to delay its release to make adjustments and improve the gaming experience. It has now been confirmed that the title will have a release window in March 2026, with a set price of 39.99 euros. A game dragged by controversy The studio has been working on multiple closed betas and has implemented significant changes in the multiplayer design, seeking to smooth out the rough edges that […]
Marathon, the ambitious project from PlayStation and Bungie, has been the subject of controversy since its announcement. Initial criticism from the gaming community led the developers to decide to delay its release to make adjustments and improve the gaming experience. Now, it has been confirmed that the title will have a release window in March 2026, with a set price of 39.99 euros.
A game dragged by controversy
The studio has been working on multiple closed betas and has implemented significant changes to the multiplayer design, aiming to smooth out the rough edges that emerged after the initial reactions. Bungie has stated that their goal is to provide a fluid and intense combat experience, tailored to make the most of the PlayStation 5 hardware. “We have designed Marathon to shine on PlayStation 5,” the developers declared in a recent PlayStation blog.
The development of Marathon has been accompanied by the release of a video titled “Vision of Marathon | Bungie ViDoc,” which delves into the changes made and the evolution of multiplayer. As the release date approaches, it is expected that Bungie will share more details about the game, including its final release and new features that players can look forward to.
On the other hand, the controversy surrounding the uncredited use of creations by the artist Fern ‘4nt1r34l’ Hook has also shaped the path of Marathon. After several months of tension, a satisfactory agreement has been reached that allows Bungie to fully focus on the completion of their project. With these advancements and the team’s commitment, Marathon hopes to become a critically acclaimed multiplayer experience when it finally arrives in 2026.
The emblematic design of the Master Chief’s armor underwent a remarkable development process, which included up to nine revisions before Bungie finally defined the iconic look of the character. Marcus Lehto, one of the creators of Halo, recently shared details about this extensive creative process during an interview with Kent State Magazine. Lehto, who graduated in illustration, used his education to break down the design into basic visual elements, which he said was crucial in shaping the final armor. A design that resisted the company throughout the various […]
The iconic design of Master Chief’s armor underwent a remarkable development process, which included up to nine revisions before Bungie finally defined the character’s iconic look. Marcus Lehto, one of the creators of Halo, recently shared details about this extensive creative process during an interview with Kent State Magazine. Lehto, who graduated in illustration, used his education to break down the design into basic visual elements, which he said was crucial in shaping the final armor.
A design that resisted the company
Throughout the various iterations, Bungie explored different ideas, from stylized designs to inspirations drawn from military technology, such as the M1 Abrams tank and the Apache helicopter. Notably, the helmet design was inspired by a BMX helmet, a detail that becomes evident when viewed from the side. “I wasn’t going to stop until I found the right design. I learned that you shouldn’t stop after the first iteration,” Lehto added about his commitment to the design.
In an interesting twist in the history of video games, Lehto reflected on how Halo, originally conceived as a title for Mac, radically transformed when Microsoft acquired Bungie, relocating the team to the Pacific Northwest to develop the game for Xbox. As the Halo saga continues to evolve, Microsoft seems to be grappling with uncertainty about the future direction of the series following Halo: Infinite, opting for a nostalgic approach by considering a second remake of Halo: Combat Evolved.
On its part, Bungie faces its own challenges with the reboot of Marathon, dealing with controversies, delays, and layoffs, while its new owner, Sony, intensifies its control over the studio. Despite these issues, Marathon is still scheduled for release in March, with a limited test planned for December. In this context, both Halo and Marathon reflect a turbulent journey in the evolution of their respective franchises.
