Marathon’s Big Gameplay Debut: Bungie’s Sci-Fi Shooter Prepares To Impress

Marathon’s Next Big Reveal Is Imminent

Bungie, the studio behind Halo and Destiny, is gearing up to unveil its first wholly new IP in more than ten years. Marathon, an extraction shooter set in a futuristic sci-fi universe, continues to generate excitement thanks to its striking visuals and potential to become Bungie’s next major success—especially as the developer becomes more closely integrated into Sony’s PlayStation family. Here’s everything we know so far, including what to expect from the upcoming gameplay showcase.

ARG Sparks Excitement

Late last week, fans on Discord and Reddit stumbled upon an elaborate ARG (Alternate Reality Game) embedded in Marathon-related artwork and teaser footage. By deciphering hidden messages, the community confirmed that the game’s first major gameplay showcase will drop on April 12, airing at 1:00 p.m. ET on Saturday via Twitch and YouTube. Several content creators have hinted they’ll share hands-on impressions around the same time, so expect a flood of fresh details in the coming days.

A Return to Bungie’s Roots

Marathon shares its name with Bungie’s original 1994 first-person shooter, created back when the studio was focused on Apple Macintosh titles (that classic version can still be found on Steam). In this new incarnation, players become cybernetic “Runners” sent to explore the dangerous, enigmatic planet of Tau Ceti IV. While we know it’s a PvP extraction shooter in the same vein as Escape From Tarkov, specifics about its character classes, loot mechanics, and progression systems remain shrouded in mystery.

Despite Sony’s involvement, Marathon isn’t exclusive to PlayStation. Bungie is bringing it to PS5, Xbox Series X/S, and PC. Fans have been eagerly anticipating how Bungie’s signature “best-in-class gunplay” (as seen in the Halo and Destiny series) translates to the high-stakes tension of extraction-based gameplay.

Gameplay Highlights and Potential Hooks

According to an Insider Gaming report, Bungie aims for lightning-fast matchmaking times to keep players from waiting in lobbies too long. Another intriguing system involves limited oxygen supplies that drain more quickly as you take damage, injecting additional pressure into every match. Combined with Bungie’s hallmark shooting mechanics, Marathon has the potential to offer a fresh twist on the extraction shooter formula. Of course, the real test will be whether its world-building, gameplay flow, and long-term progression can live up to the hype inspired by its stylish art direction.

Controversy Behind the Scenes

Not everything has gone smoothly during development. Bloomberg reported last year that Chris Barratt—Marathon’s former director and a long-time Bungie veteran—was fired following inappropriate text messages sent to female colleagues. Barratt claims Sony terminated him to avoid paying large stock bonuses, but the troubling texts allegedly speak for themselves, and he’s currently suing over the matter.

Further rumors pointed to internal struggles that put Marathon at risk; reports from ex-Bungie staff indicated development wasn’t meeting expectations. This led to a curious YouTube update last fall from current game director Joe Ziegler, reassuring fans about the project’s progress and sparking renewed speculation about the game’s status.

What’s Next for Marathon?

We’ll learn a lot more once this weekend’s showcase and previews go live. Although Ziegler’s October statements suggested the game wasn’t necessarily targeting a far-off 2025 release, the specifics remain unconfirmed. It’s possible a closed beta may surface sooner rather than later, giving players a firsthand look at Bungie’s ambitious new direction.

If the gameplay reveal delivers on its promise, Marathon could stand alongside Destiny as one of Bungie’s most noteworthy franchises. Stay tuned for the April 12 event to see exactly how this revival of Bungie’s sci-fi roots shapes up—and whether it can fulfill its lofty potential.