Rumors have circulated about Bungie’s Marathon for months, including a pivot to featuring playable heroes. Director Joe Ziegler seemingly confirmed this in a recent Developer Update, dubbing them Runners and noting that they possess a “small subset of abilities.”
Two such Runners were revealed in new concept art – Thief and Stealth (which are codenames). While the former didn’t receive much information, Ziegler noted how her central theme is “creepily peeking around the corner in sort of that quiet moment before she makes her move.” It makes her sound more like an assassin, and there are apparently “a lot of hilarious stories that come from it but also very, very crazy moments that this character contributes to the game.”
If the name wasn’t a dead giveaway, Stealth is more of a stealth-focused Runner. Deception is a core utility trait that they embody. “They have the tools to stalk the battlefield and show up in ways that allow them to kind of take advantage.” Ziegler noted that it’s a “little strong” right now, but “by the time we get it to all of you, I’m sure it’ll be in a good place.”
Marathon is in development for Xbox Series X/S, PS5, and PC and is available to wishlist on adjoining storefronts. It doesn’t have a launch date, but Bungie wants to expand playtests next year to accommodate its community. There will be more details later, so stay tuned for updates.
