Bungie, the renowned game development company behind titles like Halo and Destiny, recently faced a difficult week as they had to lay off approximately 100 employees, which accounted for 8% of their workforce. These layoffs came as a surprise to many, especially considering Bungie had previously assured that their recent acquisition by Sony would not lead to any layoffs. Unfortunately, the poor performance of Destiny 2 played a significant role in these cuts.
Amidst this tumultuous period, Bungie is placing a lot of hope and resources into their upcoming game, Marathon. This new title marks a return to the classic Marathon series, featuring an extraction-based shooter gameplay. The project has attracted numerous talented individuals, including veteran developers from both the Destiny and Halo franchises. It’s worth noting that these new hires seem to have been unaffected by the recent layoffs, emphasizing the importance Bungie places on the success of Marathon.
Marathon faces the challenge of standing out in a crowded multiplayer gaming landscape. While popular games like Fortnite, Warzone, and Apex Legends dominate the battle royale genre, Marathon will offer a different kind of experience. It’s not a direct competitor to games like Counter-Strike or Valorant, and while games like Escape from Tarkov have a similar extraction element, they cater to a niche audience. Marathon aims to be the only AAA extraction shooter on the market, which gives it a unique opportunity to capture a wide player base.
One of Marathon’s key strengths lies in Bungie’s exceptional gunplay mechanics, which have been instrumental in the success of the Halo and Destiny series. Combined with the creative art direction led by Chris Barrett, Marathon has the potential to catch players’ attention with its visually stunning and trippy aesthetic.
However, there are several factors to consider when evaluating Marathon’s prospects. Firstly, the game has been delayed until 2025, meaning Bungie will have to rely solely on Destiny 2 revenue for at least another year. It remains unclear whether Marathon will have a full launch or if it will be released as an alpha or beta version.
Early feedback on Marathon has been mixed. While some individuals who have had the opportunity to play early versions of the game were impressed with its gameplay, it’s important to remember that these tests were conducted on an extremely early build that is still far from being finalized. It is too early to make any definitive judgments about its quality.
Monetization is another significant aspect to consider. In today’s market, most big multiplayer games are free-to-play and rely on various forms of microtransactions to generate revenue. Marathon is not a PlayStation exclusive, despite Bungie’s acquisition by Sony, so it will be available on multiple platforms, granting it access to a broader player base. The question remains: how will Marathon monetize itself to generate substantial revenue? While it is likely to have a battle pass or cash shop model similar to other games, it’s unlikely to include loot boxes or expensive weapon skins. Nonetheless, Marathon will need to be a breakout hit to make up for any losses from Destiny and keep Sony satisfied.
Another important consideration is Marathon’s target audience. It may not appeal to hardcore Tarkov players or those who prefer the fast-paced sci-fi world of Destiny 2 PvP. Bungie needs to identify its intended audience and find a way to differentiate Marathon from its own flagship series to avoid cannibalizing player bases. Games like Hunt: Showdown, Call of Duty’s DMZ, and the upcoming Division: Heartland have been mentioned as potential comparisons, but Bungie has yet to reveal their target demographic or if they plan to create a wholly unique market for themselves, much like they did with Destiny.
In conclusion, Bungie is currently navigating a challenging period. The success of Destiny 2 is crucial to their ability to focus on and develop Marathon. The upcoming game needs to be a hit in order to offset any losses from Destiny until the series can rejuvenate itself or until other incubated games are released to alleviate some of the pressure. It will be interesting to see how Bungie manages these obstacles and how Marathon ultimately performs in the competitive multiplayer gaming landscape.
