Sony Emphasizes Marathon’s Significance in Its Lineup Amid Ongoing Support Following Layoffs
Sony is reportedly laying off a significant number of developers at Bungie as part of its latest restructuring, following the conclusion of support for Destiny 2. However, the company remains committed to investing in Marathon, despite the extraction shooter facing challenges in expanding its player base, even with positive reviews. This commitment was highlighted by PlayStation Studios chief Hermen Hulst in a recent communication regarding the layoffs. He emphasized that Marathon is a vital component of the company’s gaming lineup and assured ongoing support for the project, at least for the time being.
“Marathon remains an important part of our portfolio, and we will continue to support the team as they build on the strong foundation established in Season 1 and 2, and as they work on incubation efforts for future projects,” Hulst stated to staff. “While it’s too early to discuss, we are encouraged by the creativity and opportunities that lie ahead.”
Launched in March, Marathon garnered decent interest from players on Steam and consoles, receiving high praise from early reviewers. However, despite its stunning visuals, innovative gameplay concepts, and a consistent flow of updates, the extraction shooter has struggled to attract new players, particularly as it approaches its second season. Although the game went free for a week and introduced new classes, maps, and modes, enthusiasm has noticeably declined since its launch, even among its most ardent supporters.
The latest update will introduce a PVE-only mode in July, allowing players to explore the Cryo Archive, Marathon’s ambitious end-game dungeon, without the grind and PVP challenges present in the standard version. While some players express concerns that this could dilute the game’s core appeal, others are optimistic that it might attract new players and help sustain Marathon’s longevity.
Bungie has already begun teasing content for season 3 and has indicated in previous discussions that it has story content planned for the long term. However, the future of the sci-fi game remains uncertain. Sony’s live service strategy has been inconsistent, leading many to question why the company recently decided to discontinue support for Destiny 2, a game that was far more successful at its peak, while still investing in Marathon.
Regardless of what lies ahead for the game, Sony is signaling a desire for Bungie to focus on its next big project. Hulst noted that the Marathon team is also engaged in “incubation efforts” for new titles, and Bungie’s own statement regarding the layoffs mentioned that future games are still in the early stages of development.
