Over the weekend, Bungie gave the gaming community a thrilling glimpse into the gameplay of their upcoming title, Marathon. Known for their exceptional first-person shooters and ever-evolving gameplay dynamics, Bungie is charting new territory as they enter the world of extraction shooters. The game’s concept is both straightforward and intriguing—gear up your Runner, engage in fierce battles with other players to amass loot, and take the dangerous gamble of extracting with your prized haul.
I had the pleasure of chatting with Marathon’s Game Director, Joe Ziegler, right after this big announcement. We delved into a lot of exciting topics, including Bungie’s innovative approach to this new genre, the capabilities harnessed from the PlayStation 5, and the distinctive art style of the game.
Tim Turi: You’ve just unveiled the gameplay to the world. How are you and the Marathon team feeling post-reveal?
Joe Ziegler: It’s incredibly exhilarating! The phrase I keep using is “nerve-cited.” Marathon is a labor of love we’ve been crafting for several years, driven by our passion and our commitment to delivering something players will truly enjoy. Now that it’s finally reaching players, there’s a wonderful thrill but also some apprehension. We’ve made countless decisions during development, and it’s nerve-wracking hoping those choices will resonate with our audience. We’re eager to see how players respond.
During Marathon’s creation, were there any pivotal moments that made the Bungie team realize they had something extraordinary on their hands?
Those were often the unexpected moments. Imagine being on a mysterious planet, turning a corner, and stumbling upon the formidable United Earth Space Council (UESC) or dodging bullets from another crew. It’s in these unpredictable scenarios that the excitement peaks. When you just manage to escape or turn the tide, the adrenaline rush is unforgettable.
What’s the story behind the name “Marathon”?
In the original 1994 game, “Marathon” was the name of a colony ship launched by the UESC to establish a human settlement on a distant system, Tau Ceti. Built into what was essentially a moon, the ship embarked on a 500-year voyage. I’d guess the name captures this long, arduous journey. We’re drawing on this legacy with our new 2025 game, revisiting elements like the UESC Marathon ship and Tau Ceti, which fans of the original will recognize.
How does Bungie maintain its iconic gunplay while ensuring Marathon stands out as its unique experience?
It’s about blending Bungie’s known strengths with the elements of a survival game, where resource management, adaptability, and situational awareness are crucial. Our aim is to build upon familiar action foundations by adding a survival twist. For instance, health doesn’t regenerate quickly—you need consumables. This prompts strategic decisions about whether to engage in fights or retreat to manage resources wisely.
For players curious yet cautious about extraction shooters, what would you say to them?
This game is challenging, it’s intense, but the rewards are significant. As you learn, you’ll develop survival skills you may have never used before, giving you a sense of mastery. We’ve also designed the game to feel natural on controllers, so it’s accessible even if you’re transitioning from PC games where keyboards and mice are more common. We want you to focus on strategy, not interface complexity.
Considering there’s risk in every match due to valuable loadouts, what persistent progression elements can players expect?
We want every played match to feel rewarding. There are experience-based gains, such as leveling up your Runner throughout a season, and also upgrades aligned with different factions. These let you enhance stats like stamina or the speed at which you loot. There’s an in-game store, the Black Market, where you can use collected currency to purchase new weapons and upgrades, expanding your options as you progress.
How is Bungie utilizing PlayStation 5 tech to enhance Marathon?
We’re incorporating haptic feedback with the DualSense wireless controllers, providing tactile feedback during intense firefights. The Tempest 3D Audio engine will immerse players with surround sound, and the PS5’s rendering capabilities are outstanding. Through technologies like PSSR and advanced upscaling, the game will truly shine on the PS5 and PS5 Pro.
Marathon’s art style is striking. What makes it so unique?
Our aesthetic draws inspiration from graphic design and modern product aesthetics. The visuals are intentionally bold, sometimes puzzling, yet inviting. It’s the contrast of technological sci-fi elements against organic backdrops that creates a rich tapestry. It aligns with our themes of paranoia and intensity, capturing the uncertainty of what’s true or imagined within the game world.
Any final thoughts for PlayStation audiences post-reveal?
If you love survival experiences, battling it out with others, and enjoying unpredictable adventures, Marathon is for you. It’s designed to deliver a seamless cross-platform experience, and we’re particularly excited to welcome PlayStation players into this world. We’ve poured immense passion into it, and we can’t wait to see the community excel and surprise us.
Mark your calendars for September 23 when Marathon debuts on PS5, Steam, and Xbox Series X|S.
