Marathon (1994)
Summary
Famous studioBungieis proceed the process of bringing back one of its first IPs inMarathon , but one modification makes this revival sound way high-risk . Bungie , once famous for starting theHalofranchise and the uninterrupted winner of theDestinyfranchise , now front a make - or - go bad era for the studio . After a promisingstudio acquisition by Sony , Bungie would eventually lie off a portion of its staff . These layoffs have direct to some other informatics being shelved or outright call off , whileDestinyandMarathonmay be the studio ’s last chance to quash a Sony takeover .
The originalMarathonwas akin to what Bungie did a few old age later with the firstHalogame , an FPS game where histrion are tasked with clearing out a human colony ship taken over by extraterrestrial being . Marathondid have multiplayer , though it was only capable of LAN political party and limited to a deathmatch mood . The newMarathonthat Bungie is looking to make is change to an descent gun for hire , a genre with little challenger outside the most popularEscape From Tarkov .
With Sony ’s late big - money accomplishment of Bungie , here ’s a look at all the Bungie games that will now be entering Sony ’s talkative catalog .
Marathon Changes To Former Valorant Game Director
harmonise toIGNand the new game music director himself , formerValorantdirector Joe Ziegler has taken over the duty of former director Christopher Barret . It isunknown what caused the change in leadership , but Ziegler confirmed the selective information and stated he had been working as the plot director for the retiring nine month . Though it seems the plot has changed somewhat under Ziegler , the bounteous change from sources is thata roster of selectable Italian sandwich is replace the original estimation of custom - create characters .
There could be many reasons for this , but one theory could be related to money . With Bungie lose major profits loss in the last class due toDestiny 2and being seen as a failedoverpay of desperation on Sony ’s part , the shift in model could help snub the ontogenesis costs ofMarathon . Also , having a cast of solidification heroes create the pick for next heroes to be added down the line . Bungie has mademost of its recent earnings with often criticize monetizationoptions , so the opening of selling unexampled zep and customization option could have been an likable offer .
It has been rumored thatMarathonmay be swear onDestiny ’s next elaboration , The Final Shape , to deal well enough to stop ontogenesis .
Custom Image by Diana Acuña
With Ziegler at the helm , there is a chance this modification does not hurtMarathonas much as one may think . Valoranthas been a highly successful free-enterprise shooter that has bring Riot hatful of profit , which is exactly what Bungie needs . However , the other side of this is that hero shooters have become an overused trend that some are old-hat of . The concept also has a recent hit - or - miss trail record of success , make up it a high-risk venture disregardless of experienced leadership .
The Original Look Of Bungie’s Marathon
Not much is bed about how theoriginally rumoredMarathonrevivalwould await under Barret , aside from a few central details . Players would plunk into the world inteams of one to three as custom charactersand fight against other players before extracting . The dirty money consisted of exotic artefact that would seem to play a part in the story , as well asweapons and equipment to strengthen one ’s character . While unconfirmed , based on how extraction shooters turn , one would in all likelihood lose their gearing if they cash in one’s chips during an encounter .
The world of Tau Ceti IV is mostly unidentified to fans outside that it used to be a populated planet long since abandoned . The single-valued function was purportedly structure to switch establish on past runs . The how is presently unknown , but Bungie was adept at changing the landscape painting ofDestiny 2based on events that happen in - secret plan . AI combatants were not explicitly said to be included but are a common part of extraction shooters , which would entrust the planet feeling empty , depending on the mathematical function and lobby size , if left without them .
How Could Marathon Play Under Former Valorant Director Ziegler
With the change in director , peculiarly this early , the amountMarathoncould variety is massive . The genre will likely appease the same , as Bungie is already working on a hero shot , but everything else is fluid . If the rumors about the variety to a set roll are true , it could go two possible manner . First , there is a simple roll of graphic symbol with no particular abilities that one chooses from based on appeal . The 2nd option is that each character has abilities that can be used to change each test or encounter drastically .
This sort of modification could be good or terrible found on one ’s preference . For those who are tired of the embarrassment of hero gunslinger , thisreturning concept will feel smooth and take by one ’s connection to a character they createthemselves . In direct contrast , one who savor the concept of hero shooters may care the change . The gain of predetermined characters with power help addchaotic replayability to matches while closing the acquirement gap between higher - skill players .
A change in direction could also affect how appurtenance and weapons work inMarathon . While this is all speculation , what could have been a wide variety of armor and weapons may be shrivel up . Standardized armour with a few weapons makes balancing easier and start the door for more microtransactions . Despite how hat this tactic has become in gambling , the chance of avoiding this situation is down afford Bungie ’s track record .
Overall , the game director ’s change could be a approving or the nail in the casket forMarathon . Valoranthas been successful , and adding a hero roster to an extraction shooter would be unique to the music genre . However , the tired mechanic could push away many who want to play , and if it does n’t enmesh as well as Bungie believe it can , the game will be a monolithic dud for the struggling studio . Until the game is released and the opinion is show wrong , this alteration in leaders makes Bungie’sMarathonsound right smart worse .
Source : IGN , Ziegler_Dev / X
