Sony doesn't want Marathon to be another Concord, release plans still unchanged

Are you looking forward to Marathon, Bungie's first new game in nearly ten years? After the alpha's mixed reception, you might be having second thoughts, but Sony is pressing ahead. During a recent event, the Horizon Zero Dawn and Stellar Blade publisher explained its plans for Marathon's release and doubled down on the shooter's potential, explaining that it is determined Marathon will not suffer the fate of short-lived multiplayer FPS Concord.

Live service games, free-to-play or otherwise, are something of a mixed bag. For every Fortnite or Helldivers 2 there's an Anthem, a Babylon's Fall, and a Knockout City. As such, naturally, eyebrows were raised when Sony and Bungie declared that the revived Marathon was going to be an online-only FPS.

Bungie's Destiny was a success (though Destiny 2 is in need of rescue) but Bungie owner Sony announced the September 2025 Marathon release date mere months after shutting down hero shooter Concord. Now, Herman Hulst, CEO of Sony Interactive Entertainment, has addresses both Marathon's alpha reception and Concord's failure.

Speaking during the 'fireside chat' segment of a recent Sony Game and Network Services Segment presentation, Hulst acknowledges that Concord was "insufficiently differentiated to resonate with players." However, the CEO also says that "some really good work" went into the shooter, and says that Sony sees live-service games as "a great opportunity."

With that in mind, Hulst affirms that Sony is taking on board Marathon's rather so-so reception. "Some of that feedback, frankly, has been varied," the CEO explains, "but that's super useful; that's why you do this testing." Hulst also reiterates that, since Concord, SIE has put more rigorous evaluation systems in place.

Marathon is still on course for a September 23, 2025 release. The associated presentation, also co-hosted by Hulst, listed a FY (financial year) 2025 window for the game. Sony could, therefore, push it back until the end of March 2026. But so far, there's no word of a delay.

If you've still got your eyes on Marathon and are wondering if your PC can run it, we've got the Marathon system requirements. Or if you're wondering what else to play, we have rounded up the best multiplayer games.

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