Bungie has announced a delay for its upcoming shooter, Marathon, originally slated for a September 23, 2025, release. The studio did not provide a new release date but assured players that an update would come this fall.
The delay follows significant feedback from players after the game’s reveal and alpha playtest, as well as issues surrounding unauthorized use of art assets by a former developer.
In a recent blog post, Bungie expressed gratitude for the community’s feedback, stating, ‘We’ve taken this to heart, and we know we need more time to craft Marathon into the game that truly reflects your passion.’ The post goes on to explain that the extra time will be used to enhance key aspects of the game, including AI encounters, loot systems, dynamic events, and combat mechanics. Bungie also emphasized its commitment to improving the game’s visual fidelity and narrative, promising a darker tone that will resonate with the original trilogy’s themes.
The game will also focus on solo and duo play, with added proximity chat support to make the experience more engaging. Bungie reassured fans that the new release date would be shared in the fall, as well as a progress update on the game’s development.
Given the troubled history of Marathon’s production, including canceled marketing campaigns and controversies around art theft, this delay, while disappointing, is perhaps not surprising. Fans are hoping that the added time will result in a better product, but some remain skeptical. The gaming community will be waiting to see if Bungie can turn things around or if the game will continue to struggle.