Can Bungie’s ‘Marathon’ Save Sony From Its Live-Service Failures?

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This week, Bungie has been gradually hinting at the launch of their highly praised follow-up to the cherished Marathon, a franchise that was once dear to the hearts of the Destiny developers. In fact, many years ago, it was almost seen as a precursor to Halo, which came later and featured Master Chief.

Looking towards 2025, I find myself excitedly anticipating the revival of the beloved Marathon series by both Bungie and Sony. They’re dedicated to reimagining this timeless science-fiction shooter from scratch, ensuring it resonates with a new generation while maintaining its charm for longtime fans who’ve yearned for fresh content since 1994. The gameplay unveiling is scheduled for April 12, and I, along with countless others, can hardly wait to see the culmination of Bungie’s creative efforts in this new endeavor.

However, there’s still an unanswered question: Is it feasible that the future endeavors can offset Sony’s previous mistakes related to live services?

Firewalk Studio’s Concord represented a daring step for Sony, involving substantial funds in a hero-shooter game intended to leave an impression amidst a competitive genre. However, before it could establish itself, it faced hurdles. It struggled to define its unique character, offered minimal post-release content, and lacked the robust word-of-mouth endorsement needed for success. Additionally, it was affected by industry-wide political unrest. In essence, its primary issue was launching in a market already flooded with comparable games.

One significant project that Sony postponed was Naughty Dog’s The Last of Us Online, which many anticipated would soon be released. Regrettably, it never came out. It turned out to be a considerable drain of resources for Naughty Dog, and the studio opted instead to concentrate on upcoming ventures such as Intergalactic: The Heretic Prophet.

With the release of Marathon, Bungie and Sony seem optimistic that they can lead the way in a fresh chapter for shooter games, even amidst the popularity of extraction-style gameplay. This may not just be another risky move. Many, including longtime fans and Destiny 2 enthusiasts, are eagerly anticipating the innovative aspects that the revamped Marathon is expected to bring.

After two years of anticipation, Bungie is now prepared to unveil their creation to the world. However, the stakes are higher than ever before, as they strive to resonate with their target audience. Will it be accessible only through a paid subscription? Does it offer an engaging gameplay mechanism that keeps players coming back? Is the gunplay enjoyable and satisfying? These queries will start to find answers once the gameplay and interviews are disclosed.

A portion of me hopes that Marathon thrives and takes over the unstable first-person shooter market. Yet, there’s a nagging doubt deep down, questioning whether it will only have a short-lived glory or, even worse, fade out quickly—much like Concord and The Last of Us Online did.

I’m hoping that Sony allows this game to develop at its own pace. It should build a following organically and be given the opportunity to expand. This approach is something that Bungie has excelled at with Destiny 2, and it would be beneficial for

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2025-04-08 17:12