Fans of the sci-fi shooter Marathon will have to wait a little longer for the much-anticipated Season 3 update, including its full Player vs Environment (PvE) mode. The developer, Bungie, has delayed the launch until 8 December. The studio is also shifting its strategy from seasonal updates to a more flexible approach for future content releases.
Originally, Bungie planned to release its major update on 22 September. However, the developers stated in a recent blog post that they are taking more time to ensure the update aligns with player expectations. The delayed content will now be part of the Symbiosis update, set for December, which will introduce several new features.
Symbiosis Update Highlights
The December update promises to add a new Runner shell and unveil the permanent PvE mode. Players can also look forward to a social space for weapon trials, enhancements to new player onboarding, an updated “Perimeter zone,” and a trial “team deathmatch” mode.
Immediate Changes and Future Plans
Before the major update, Marathon will receive a smaller update on 6 October. This update will reset the game’s progression and economy, introduce a new Rewards Pass, and implement quality-of-life improvements. Additionally, the Vault Breaker PvE mode will make a temporary return.
In a fresh move away from the traditional seasonal model, Bungie is dropping the fixed schedule habit. This change aims to offer more flexibility for developing and testing features. According to the studio, player feedback has driven this shift, highlighting the need for more engaging content and progression in the game.
Bungie has faced challenges, including layoffs, which impacted at least 290 employees and the task of attracting and retaining players since the game’s launch earlier this year. The upcoming Symbiosis update signifies a critical step in addressing these issues and reinvigorating the game’s player base.
Reporting based on coverage first published by eurogamer.net.