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In a bold move, Bungie is reimagining its 1994 Marathon series with a fresh twist, diving into the realm of cross-platform PvP gameplay combined with loot extraction. This ambitious reboot is already turning heads, rekindling comparisons to what some are calling “Concord 2.0.”
It seems the echoes of Concord’s past are not entirely silent, as a former artist from the ill-fated game has voiced their support for Bungie’s daring venture into unfamiliar territory. With seasoned successes like Halo and Destiny behind them, Bungie’s leap into a new multiplayer arena is viewed as a significant departure. The artist implores fans to withhold judgment, stressing that dismissing Marathon prematurely is unwarranted.
The excitement surrounding Marathon is palpable, especially among FPS enthusiasts eager to experience its cross-platform capabilities. For those wanting an early taste, sign-ups for Marathon’s closed Alpha playtest are open, scheduled for April 2025, allowing players a sneak peek ahead of its official launch.
Bungie’s recent announcement trailer set the stage for Marathon’s release on September 23, 2025. However, this reveal wasn’t without its critics, drawing parallels to the downfall of Concord. Yet, on Reddit, an ex-Concord developer, known as MrSpug, lauded Bungie for their audacity. Expressing how heart-wrenching it was to witness Concord’s collapse, they celebrate Bungie’s bravery and advocate for patience, encouraging the community to refrain from preemptive criticism.
The FPS landscape in 2025 is fiercely competitive, and Bungie is eyeing strategies to make Marathon stand out, including enhanced accessibility and distinctive gameplay that promises to differentiate it from rivals like Escape from Tarkov. The reception on platforms like Reddit is largely supportive, with users rallying against the pervasive culture of negativity, questioning the odd notion that developers intentionally create unenjoyable experiences.
Reflecting on the past, some gamers nostalgically connect Marathon to the short-lived Concord by PlayStation and Firewalk Studios. Despite a promising start at the 2023 PlayStation Showcase, Concord faced early setbacks, leading to its servers being decommissioned shortly post-launch. Its resemblance to Marvel’s Guardians of the Galaxy wasn’t enough to bolster its poor sales, and its developers acknowledged missteps in execution.
As Marathon readies for its debut, the gaming world watches Bungie’s moves with keen interest, amidst reflections on past lessons and anticipations of future triumphs.
