Bungie's upcoming shooter, Marathon, has narrowly avoided a potential clash with ARC Raiders' release schedule. The game's launch date, March 5th, is now confirmed, but it's a close call with the Destiny 2 update, Shadow and Order, scheduled for March 3rd. Sources hint at a delay for the latter, but Bungie remains tight-lipped.
Here's the twist: Bungie has been anxiously anticipating ARC Raiders' plans during Marathon's launch period. Players have been eagerly awaiting a roadmap, and now the wait is over. The new roadmap reveals a strategic move by ARC Raiders, with no significant updates planned for March.
Marathon can now rest easy. February will see a substantial update, Shrouded Sky, introducing various new features, while March will be relatively quiet with only minor additions. But April promises a significant update with a new map and a large-scale ARC. This strategic move by ARC Raiders adds an intriguing layer to the story.
The tension stems from a past incident where ARC Raiders' alpha overshadowed Marathon's public test, leaving a lasting impression on players. This raises the question: Will ARC Raiders' absence during Marathon's launch be a blessing or a curse?
The extraction genre's growing popularity could be a boon for Marathon, attracting players seeking a fresh experience beyond ARC Raiders. However, ARC Raiders' remarkable player retention might make it challenging to convince players to invest in a new game. Marathon's appeal to hardcore players could be a double-edged sword, making it a tough sell for casual gamers.
While Marathon is unlikely to reach ARC Raiders' player count heights, it's also unlikely to be a Concord-style flop, despite initial negative buzz. Pre-orders indicate strong interest, with Marathon ranking among the top-earning games on Steam during its pre-order period.
The mystery remains: When will Marathon unveil its roadmap? Will it be at launch or later? The focus now is on the game's release, with the roadmap potentially coming afterward. The cadence of seasons and the frequency of updates throughout the year are intriguing aspects to anticipate.
Stay tuned for more gaming insights and don't forget to follow me on Twitter and YouTube for the latest updates. And if you're in the mood for some sci-fi adventure, check out my Herokiller series and The Earthborn Trilogy, available on Amazon.
