With adjustments addressing player feedback and redesigns of substantial portions of the game, the world’s developers working at Bungie announced a postpone of the game’s release. Bungie intends to spend the next months working on the AI, solo/duo play experiences, combat, visuals, story layers, and tone to better fit the dark origins of the franchise.
The announcement followed the mixed reaction to the initial reveal of the game, with some bemeaning the art style and decrying the lack of PvE content. Following the delay, it seems Bungie had been listening to these concerns; most players, however, feel differently. According to some gamers like Twitter user @kroshkaruiya1, the neat three-month delay isn’t going to help redeem the awry initial dimensional impression of the game unless the delay is made until at least 2029. Contrasting, though, some like @JaegerDeus are happy that Bungie won’t cave to pressure and add a PvE mode and merely release a full PvP experience.
Destiny fans are also split. Some feel that Bungie’s resources ought to be allocated for Destiny 3, calling the studio a “train wreck,” says @Psnjellybelly. Others think the delay is a good call and that it will give Bungie ample time to actually finish working on the game (@drifterxexe).
The biggest argument revolves around the game’s visuals. Some of the original designs for Marathon were “just straight-up stolen art pieces,” so Bungie had to “basically recreate their entire art pipeline from scratch,” according to @PresidentBigRob. Thus, coupled with the implementation of a more in-depth narrative and gameplay improvements, the delay is a full refactor and not an easy undertaking.
So what does the bright future hold for Marathon? If Bungie delivers on all promises for improved AI, more engaging combat, and a darker tone, the delay will be good for the title. If the changes are skin-deep, then, as @Sharadleh says, it will only be a stepping stone for the likes of Arc Raiders.
And for now, we just wait. Officially, Bungie showed with Destiny that they knew the way on how to go about refining a game post-launch; hence we can only hope the same good will and grace can be poured into a new IP. So just don’t take it negatively that the Marathon delay has opened Pandora’s box to some pretty heated discussions among players, who will be watching Bungie very keenly for any rebounds.
At least the game was given time; some studios just throw the game out the window cough Cyberpunk cough. Perhaps this is what Marathon needs: time. Or maybe, as @oridjinn put it plainly, the game’s done and dusted. I guess we will find out in a couple of months.
Additionally, Bungie’s recent developments and updates can be tracked through various sources like this article discussing the mixed reactions to their event: Destiny’s recent event.
