Summary
Reportedly, Sony has haltedMarathon’s marketing campaigns amid recent controversies. Since its early days, Bungie’s extraction FPS has struggled with development issues and hit multiple roadblocks.Marathon’s playtest also failed to meet fan expectations, with some playtesters even calling for a delay, saying the game doesn’t feel ready for its September launch.
Bungie recently faced a massive backlash after news broke thatMarathonhad used stolen artwork from an independent artist. The developer confirmed the accusations were true but shifted the blame to a former artist. While Bungie pledged to make things right, fans were understandably disappointed. This wasn’t the first time the studio had been caught plagiarizing. In the past, Bungie faced similar criticism when aDestiny 2cutscene turned out to be using fan-made art without permission.
A new rumor suggests even more potential trouble ahead ofMarathon’s planned September launch. As spotted by Midnight_M_ on Reddit, Colin Moriarty, a well-known podcaster, recently discussed Bungie’s situation, claiming that Sony has no marketing plans for the developer’s extraction FPS. He said this information came from a marketing insider who is certainMarathonwon’t be promoted anytime soon. However, Moriarty added that it’s unclear whether this was always the plan or if Sony is now considering a delay for the long-awaited game.
Marathon’s Future Looks Uncertain
Earlier in May, other rumors suggested thatMarathonis under pressure to meet high sales expectations. Reportedly, the game needs to rank among the top five best-selling titles of the year just to be profitable. But with the wave of negative news surrounding it, those goals might be out of reach. Some fans are even calling for a boycott, arguing that Bungie never seems to learn from its past mistakes.
Many believe that Bungie is being brought down by issues with its management team, pointing to reports of a toxic work environment as evidence. For those unfamiliar, aformerDestiny 2developer recently called out Bungiefor fostering toxicity and even accused the company’s leadership of being driven by greed. Reports also suggest that employee morale at Bungie is at an all-time low amid the recent controversies.
So far, there’s been no official word onMarathon’s delay. However, if the recent rumors are true, the game may disappear from the spotlight for a while. Even if the reports about canceled marketing turn out to be false, the game likely needs more time to remove the stolen art and fix the gameplay issues uncovered during recent playtests.
Marathon
WHERE TO PLAY
From the creators of Halo and Destiny…Scavenge the lost colony of Tau Ceti IV in Bungie’s team-based FPS extraction shooter. Choose your Runner and work together in crews of three as you battle rival teams and hostile security forces for weapons and upgrades. Survive and your loot is yours to keep for future runs on Tau Ceti—or if you’re brave enough, a journey to the derelict Marathon ship that hangs above.Become a Runner:Choose from a roster of cybernetic mercenaries with unique abilities. Customize your playstyle with the weapons, implants, and equipment you collect on your runs. Every match is a chance to experiment, buildcraft, and come back stronger.Welcome to Tau Ceti IV:What once was a thriving colony is now a battleground for rival factions competing for power and fortune, hiring Runners to track down weapons, valuables, and the edge they need to win.Fun and competitive at all skill levels:Bungie’s best-in-class first person gunplay makes playing at every skill level satisfying. With multiple maps to choose from, you’re able to sharpen your skills in starter areas, then challenge yourself in high-stakes zones and Ranked mode in season one.
