Tag: Bungie

  • Bungie Reveals Marathon Closed Alpha Test Details and NDA Lift

    Bungie Reveals Marathon Closed Alpha Test Details and NDA Lift

    Key Takeaways

    1. Bungie faces backlash over Marathon’s art style and its decision not to adopt a free-to-play model.
    2. The NDA for the closed alpha test will be lifted on April 23rd, allowing players to share feedback and content.
    3. Marathon is set to launch on September 23rd, limiting the time for major changes but allowing adjustments to gameplay elements.
    4. The closed alpha will provide a limited preview of the game, with no ranked play available and plans for improved UI and animations in the final version.
    5. Bungie aims to gather player feedback and engage with content creators to enhance the game before its official release.

    Bungie has encountered a lot of backlash after revealing its new extraction shooter, Marathon. Some people think the game’s distinctive art style is too off-putting. Plus, opting not to use a free-to-play model might reduce interest in a genre that’s already facing challenges. Nevertheless, the publisher has committed to listening to player feedback and is willing to showcase the game with its imperfections. Bungie has announced that it will remove the NDA from the closed alpha test of Marathon starting April 23rd.

    Avoiding Leaks

    By lifting the NDA, Bungie hopes to prevent the leaks that have troubled games like Battlefield 6. Gamers and streamers in North America will be able to share their thoughts freely as well as post screenshots and videos. Some players who signed up on the official Marathon Discord server are already starting to get their codes for the closed alpha testing phase.

    Release Date and Expectations

    The launch date for Marathon on PCs and consoles is set for September 23rd. The short time frame means Bungie has limited opportunities to make major changes. However, the company is willing to modify important aspects such as targeting and early-game progression. The extraction shooter will emphasize PvP action, making server stress-testing crucial. Bungie is eager to engage with content creators and plans to hold Q&A sessions as the closed alpha test kicks off.

    Glimpses of the Future

    The upcoming play test will provide just a sneak peek at the full Marathon experience. Players can look forward to a more developed UI and updates to animations and lighting in the final version, but ranked play won’t be available during the closed alpha. Bungie hopes that strong storytelling throughout different seasons will keep skeptics hooked. Sadly, gamers will have to wait until September to learn how the story develops.

    Despite Marathon being cross-platform, there’s concern it might meet a quick demise like Concord. Sony purchased the developers of Halo and Destiny back in 2022. With Marathon, Bungie will have a wealth of feedback to consider before the official release date.

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    Bungie Reveals Marathon Closed Alpha Test Details and NDA LiftBungie Reveals Marathon Closed Alpha Test Details and NDA Lift
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  • New Leak Hints at Upcoming Reveal of Destiny’s Marathon Shooter

    New Leak Hints at Upcoming Reveal of Destiny’s Marathon Shooter

    Key Takeaways

    1. Original Release and Legacy: Marathon was released in 1994 for Macintosh, leading to two sequels and is considered the spiritual predecessor to Halo.

    2. Reboot Announcement: In May 2023, Bungie announced a reboot of Marathon as a PvP extraction shooter, with a trailer released about a year ago.

    3. Reveal Predictions: Gaming insider Jeff Grubb predicts that the game will be unveiled in April 2025, supported by recent leaks.

    4. Development Status: Recent findings in the Steam database suggest special editions and unlockable skins, indicating that the game may be nearing its final development phase.

    5. Potential Delays: There are concerns among fans about a possible delay to 2026, as no gameplay has been shown yet and industry insiders have mentioned this possibility.

    Released in 1994 for the Macintosh, Marathon was a first-person shooter that later spawned two sequels: Marathon 2: Durandal and Marathon Infinity. The trilogy tells a dark sci-fi story about a stranded space traveler facing alien threats and a rogue AI. It was a major milestone for Bungie and is considered the spiritual predecessor to Halo. In May 2023, Bungie announced a reboot of the series as a PvP extraction shooter. The announcement trailer debuted about a year ago:

    After months of silence about Marathon, gaming insider Jeff Grubb claimed the game would be unveiled in April 2025. Now, a new leak makes that prediction seem even more likely. A Reddit post suggests that references to special editions and exclusive Marathon skins unlockable through Destiny 2 were discovered in the Steam database. This could indicate that the game is in its final development phase. However, whether Marathon will actually launch in 2025 remains to be seen.

    Many on Reddit believe Marathon could be unveiled in April 2025, possibly at a PlayStation Showcase or a dedicated Bungie event. The game was originally slated for a 2025 release, but since no gameplay has been shown yet, some users worry it could be delayed to 2026. Gaming journalist Jason Schreier also considers a 2026 delay possible, as discussed in the following video:

    Reddit (/r/GamingLeaksAndRumours)

    Image source: Marathon’

    In 1994, Marathon was released for Macintosh as a first-person shooter and it later gave rise to two sequels: Marathon 2: Durandal and Marathon Infinity. The trilogy unfolds a dark sci-fi narrative centered on a stranded spaceman confronting alien dangers and a rogue AI. This game marked a significant achievement for Bungie and is regarded as the spiritual forerunner to Halo. In May of 2023, Bungie revealed plans for a reboot of the series, turning it into a PvP extraction shooter. The announcement trailer came out about a year ago:

    After a long period of no news regarding Marathon, gaming insider Jeff Grubb stated that the game is expected to be revealed in April 2025. Recently, a new leak has made this forecast seem more plausible. A post on Reddit implies that there were finds related to special editions and unique Marathon skins that can be unlocked via Destiny 2, found in the Steam database. This might suggest that the game is nearing its final development stage. However, it’s still uncertain if Marathon will actually be released in 2025.

    Numerous Reddit users think that Marathon might be unveiled in April 2025, potentially during a PlayStation Showcase or a special Bungie event. Initially, the game was scheduled for a 2025 launch, but since there hasn’t been any gameplay revealed yet, some are concerned it might get pushed back to 2026.

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