Marathon Takes Action Against Viral Movement Exploits Harmful to Gameplay

Some players in Marathon have been utilizing a slide-canceling technique to zip around levels without overheating too quickly. However, the latest patch has put an end to these exploits, addressing known bugs and revamping the popular Outpost loot area.

First up, let’s talk about those movement exploits. If you’ve spent time on the Marathon subreddit or followed content creators, you’re likely aware of the slide-canceling technique that some dedicated players have been using to outmaneuver their foes. By pulling out a weapon or using the Thief’s grapple during the slide animation, players can maintain their momentum. Bungie had previously flagged this as an issue, and the March 31 update has effectively eliminated the exploit.

“One of our core philosophies for Marathon is that rapid repositioning and aggression must always have a meaningful cost,” the development team stated. “That cost can be an ability charge, heat buildup, or increased risk, but it must exist and be understandable to an observer. Unbounded movement, while expressive and clip-worthy, is ultimately unhealthy for the pace of play we want to maintain for Marathon. To set expectations early, we will be looking at any future movement exploits through the same lens.”

The Pinwheel area is also undergoing some adjustments. The entrance to the Destroyed Wing has been reopened, the security credentials for the locked room in the Hub have been updated, and the Hub now features bullet-proof glass. Additionally, the loot quality in this location has been improved. If you thought it was a chaotic hotspot before, it sounds like things are about to get even more intense.

A new update is live, featuring a fix for slide canceling and multiple changes to Outpost. Full details:

Aside from these changes and fixes, this patch is relatively light as the game celebrates its one-month anniversary. There’s a bigger mid-season balance patch planned for April, which could bring some exciting surprises or retooled activities, though it’s unclear what else might be added before the start of season 2 in June.

That’s when players can expect a new loadout system, a revamped version of Dire Marsh, and a new Runner Shell. In the meantime, players can focus on completing their final contracts and take on weekly challenges like Cryo, which still feels quite daunting for the average Marathon fan. That challenge is what keeps players coming back, though I wouldn’t mind seeing shotguns receive a more significant nerf in the next patch.