Bungie's Marathon Returns March After Plagiarism Woes

Bungie has announced that its survival extraction shooter, Marathon, will be released in March with a $40 price tag. Originally slated for an earlier September release, the game was delayed indefinitely by Sony in June. This new window follows the resolution of a plagiarism controversy involving artist Fern Hook, which Bungie confirmed was settled to her satisfaction.

The developer also shared a 23-minute video showcasing Marathon's current state, highlighting new features like proximity chat and a solo mode. Bungie has focused on improving environmental storytelling and visual fidelity, presenting gritty environments that offer a contrast to the game's earlier glossy sci-fi aesthetic.

Marathon's first year will introduce new maps, events, and customizable 'shells,' or character classes. The new Rook shell allows players to join ongoing runs with limited risk, focusing on looting. This release is crucial for Bungie, as parent company Sony Interactive Entertainment recently wrote down Bungie's assets by $204 million due to Destiny 2 underperforming expectations.