Bungie Launches Creepy Marathon ARG for New Extraction Shooter

Bungie has announced a new Marathon ARG to coincide with the official unveiling of their latest FPS franchise. This PvP-focused extraction shooter features some PvE elements, which is a stark contrast to the original Marathon game from almost 30 years ago that veterans will remember. Bungie has a history of creating alternate reality games, with some of their most notable being associated with the Destiny franchise. These real-world events send players on a hunt for clues and information about upcoming releases, and Marathon is the latest game to receive this treatment.

Upon the announcement that Marathon is being revived as an extraction shooter, Bungie released a press release kit that the community immediately began to scrutinize. Within a short amount of time, fans noticed a QR code on the head of one of the featured biomechanical caterpillars, leading them to a mysterious website that remains unsolved. Additionally, content creators have received Marathon-themed goodie bundles filled with intriguing artifacts, codes, and access keys. Although the community is still working hard to uncover all of the secrets, some clues have already been revealed.

The Marathon community has been decrypting available materials related to the game's upcoming ARG. Classic Marathon phrases have been surfacing, including the SomewhereInTheHeavens hashtag, which directly references a line from the old Bungie Marathon franchise lore. The original titles were known for their cryptic and metaphysical lore, suggesting that the ARG will explore some unusual materials before its conclusion.

While Bungie has previously used ARGs to tease future Destiny content, the new Marathon ARG seems to be more focused on establishing the game's overall atmosphere. The ARG has been suitably enigmatic and eerie thus far. Despite being a dedicated PvP title, it's likely that the game will feature classic Bungie storytelling that Marathon fans will appreciate.

Those who aren't fans of PvP and extraction shooters need not worry, as Marathon's development has something in store for them as well. Bungie has confirmed that the game will offer a PvE component, which while not being the primary focus of the game, promises to deliver an enjoyable experience for single-player enthusiasts. However, the development of the game remains shrouded in mystery and it may take some time for the ARG to be fully unraveled.

Marathon is currently being developed for PC, PS5, and Xbox Series X/S, and fans are eagerly anticipating its release.