Insider Scoop: Marathon Leak Unveils Permadeath and Exciting New Features

Bungie's upcoming Marathon shooter is rumored to include a potential permadeath feature, where players may lose their loot upon dying. This highly anticipated game was initially unveiled at PlayStation's 2023 showcase in May, and serves as a revival of Bungie's original 1994 FPS.

Known for their groundbreaking work on the original Halo trilogy, which revolutionized multiplayer gaming under Microsoft, and their success with the live service model through Destiny as an independent studio, Bungie holds a prominent position in the multiplayer gaming industry. Now a part of PlayStation's first-party family, fans have eagerly awaited news of Bungie's next major title following nearly a decade of support for Destiny and Destiny 2. Although the Mirror's Edge-inspired art style and thrilling CGI trailer for Marathon were impressive, many players were left disappointed by the lack of information and gameplay showcased during the reveal.

Luckily, Insider Gaming has recently uncovered leaks revealing potential gameplay details for Marathon. These leaks suggest the introduction of a permadeath mechanic that could significantly impact the overall Marathon experience. In this supposed version of the game, players will form squads and drop into a map, embarking on exploration missions to discover weapons, earn XP, and complete objectives. Once they have collected their spoils, players can then utilize their XP to purchase perks and upgrades before diving back into the action. However, the introduction of the permadeath feature adds a new layer of risk as fallen players will lose not only their currency and weapons but also story-related items known as artifacts.

Marathon's approach to player progression and item retention is still uncertain. It is unclear whether players will have a secure bank of currency and weapons that are unaffected by death, or if the game will adopt a mechanic similar to Deathloop's Infusion system. This system allows players to spend currency to permanently keep an item. In contrast, Bungie's Halo taught players not to become too attached to their weapons, while Destiny encouraged the opposite. It will be fascinating to witness how permadeath affects the preservation of weapons and gear in Marathon.

The leaked information also shed light on Marathon's oxygen mechanic, which provides players with a limited amount of oxygen while they explore the maps. As the oxygen gradually depletes, players will need to make decisions on whether to take risks and search for more oxygen or to extract with what they currently have. Moreover, players can invest currency in acquiring additional oxygen before entering a match. Considering the rumors of permadeath in Marathon, this oxygen mechanic adds an extra layer of tension to the gameplay, potentially making it even more enjoyable for players.

The release date for Marathon's CGI reveal trailer has not been confirmed yet, so it remains uncertain when fans will have the opportunity to officially gather more information about Bungie's highly anticipated shooter. However, with Destiny 2's upcoming expansion, The Final Shape, slated to wrap up the Light and Darkness saga in 2024, it is possible that fans may expect further details and previews of Marathon around that time. It is worth noting that Marathon is currently being developed for PC, PS5, and Xbox Series X|S platforms.

Source: Insider Gaming