Bungie announced on Tuesday that it will delay the launch of its upcoming extraction shooter, Marathon, which was originally scheduled for release on September 23. The studio has not yet set a new release date but has promised to reveal one later this fall.
In a statement, Bungie outlined its immediate focus areas for the game. The developers aim to enhance AI encounters to make them “more challenging and engaging” and to cultivate a more intense and strategic combat experience. Additionally, the studio is committed to advancing the “Marathon Universe” by improving visual fidelity and incorporating more narrative and environmental storytelling. They also plan to introduce a darker tone that aligns with the themes of the original trilogy. This visual overhaul comes in light of recent accusations from an artist claiming her work was used without permission.
Furthermore, Bungie intends to enrich the game’s social aspects by adding features like proximity chat and improving gameplay for solo and duo players.
“We’re using this time to empower the team to create the intense, high-stakes experience that a title like Marathon is built around,” the studio stated. “This means deepening the relationship between the developers and the game’s most important voices: our players.”
Bungie previously conducted tests for Marathon earlier this year, and the feedback was mixed. The delay raises questions about whether Bungie can refine the game sufficiently to avoid becoming another significant live-service misstep for Sony.