Summary
- Bungie's Marathon revival faces backlash over the switch to pre-set heroes, upsetting fans of the extraction-based shooter concept.
- Former Valorant Game Director taking over Marathon development sparks negative response from unhappy gamers seeking player customization.
- Bungie's decision to move away from Destiny 2's customizable character approach to a cast of heroes raises questions about the game's future success.
Destiny 2 developer Bungie has been in the eye of the storm for quite a long time now due to issues with delivering a good expansion for Destiny 2 with Lightfall, then layoffs in months that followed, as well as the cancelation of a project codenamed Matter and rumors regarding Marathon. There was a lot of hype surrounding Marathon when it was first announced, although the news that it was meant to be an extraction-based shooter didn't sit well with some fans. Originally one of the earliest Bungie IPs way before Destiny 2 and even Halo, Marathon was set to come back this year in a new guise, but it was delayed recently, and now it faces even more controversies due to new developments.
Marathon was first revealed by Bungie on May 24, 2023, and it was one of the many rumored or partially confirmed games the company was trying to get out before the end of 2025, including Matter, Gummy Bears, and possibly a Destiny mobile game. Originally, the game had Christopher Barrett at its helm, and one of the first controversies surrounding it was that it was allegedly shown in hands-on previews to Escape From Tarkov players due to their extraction-shooter expertise, but it didn't stick the landing. Now, with a new Game Director and a different approach to the player character, Marathon is in the middle of another fan backlash.
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Destiny 2 Developer Bungie is in Hot Waters With Marathon's New Hero Approach
Marathon's Player Character Controversy Explained
Recently, former Valorant Game Director Joe Ziegler took to social media to announce he has been Marathon's Game Director for the past nine months, which came with the report that Marathon is allegedly switching from a customizable player character to a cast of selectable heroes. The news of this U-turn didn't land well among most fans, with the reception being mostly negative or simply not positive as opposed to the idea of letting players make their own in-game avatar.
On social media, fans were generally unhappy about the news, saying it could kill their interest in the game if the extraction-shooter scope hadn't already, and with a new Game Director that may have influenced this choice considering Ziegler's work with Valorant at Riot, things do not bode well for Bungie's new Marathon. On top of this, Ziegler's new role as Game Director also comes with some questions, as the original announcement trailer came presumably under Barrett's lead in May, but Ziegler seemingly took over nine months ago, which means in June 2023.
How Fans Responded to Marathon's Cast of Heroes News
Why Marathon is Experiencing Fan Backlash
Thus, one is left to wonder if the alleged Marathon playtest for Escape From Tarkov players happened under Barrett or Ziegler, and how this impacted future decisions, if at all. Barrett is seemingly retaining a major role at Bungie, but apparently not as Game Director for any of the currently known games, including Gummy Bears. Still, another point of contention from fans is that Destiny 2's customizable character approach stands in stark contrast with a cast of heroes a la Apex Legends, and this doesn't seem like a potential selling point for Marathon when looking at Bungie's audience.
Destiny 2's crossover skins and unlockable cosmetics play a big part in the gameplay loop and player retention process, so moving away from that and in an opposite direction does feel like a staggering choice for Marathon to make. This is currently one of the biggest issues for fans, even some of those who originally were not happy with the extraction-shooter direction, and while a cast of predetermined heroes is not necessarily bad per se, the way this is implemented and how the game plays out remain something that only future trailers will fully unveil.
Destiny 2
- Released
- August 28, 2017
WHERE TO PLAY
Dive into the world of Destiny 2 to explore the mysteries of the solar system and experience responsive first-person shooter combat. Unlock powerful elemental abilities and collect unique gear to customize your Guardian's look and playstyle. Enjoy Destiny 2’s cinematic story, challenging co-op missions, and a variety of PvP modes alone or with friends. Download for free today and write your legend in the stars.
An Immersive Story
You are a Guardian, defender of the Last City of humanity in a solar system under siege by infamous villains. Look to the stars and stand against the darkness. Your legend begins now.
Guardian Classes
Choose from the armored Titan, mystic Warlock, or swift Hunter.
- ESRB
- T For TEEN for Blood, Language, and Violence
- Developer(s)
- Bungie
- Publisher(s)
- Bungie
- Engine
- Tiger Engine
- Multiplayer
- Online Multiplayer, Online Co-Op
- Expansions
- Destiny 2: Forsaken, Destiny 2: Shadowkeep, Destiny 2: Beyond Light, Destiny 2: The Witch Queen, Destiny 2: Lightfall
- Number of Players
- 1-6 (Co-Op)
- Platform(s)
- PS5, PS4, Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S, Xbox One, PC, Stadia
- Genre(s)
- FPS
- How Long To Beat
- 100+
- Metascore
- 85
- Platforms That Support Crossplay
- PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One & Xbox Series X|S
- PS Plus Availability
- Essential, Extra, & Premium (The Witch Queen)
