Bungie has launched the 1.1.5 update for Marathon, introducing its anticipated Vault Breaker experimental PvE mode. This new mode offers players a two-week window to explore the challenging Cryo Archive map without the threat of competing player squads.
Shortly after the update went live, Marathon's concurrent player count on Steam surged to over 14,800 players, according to SteamDB. This figure represents a threefold increase in activity compared to the previous week and marks the highest concurrent player count since the game's numbers began to decline after a June free weekend.
Vault Breaker reimagines Marathon's typical extraction loop with an alternative progression system. In this mode, gear acquired and extracted during a run is not retained. Instead, players focus on collecting Vault Data, which can be used to persistently upgrade their initial Vault Breaker loadout or to purchase gear that can be brought into standard runs. This approach lends a more roguelite structure to Bungie's core shooter mechanics.
The 1.1.5 update also includes adjustments to the Cradle upgrade system, allowing fully leveled Cradles to be 'evolved' for a higher energy limit, which grants dedicated players the ability to equip more Cradle upgrades. Furthermore, Bungie has integrated new voice moderation and reporting tools to address in-game chat toxicity.
This new PvE offering is designed to appeal to players who wish to experience Marathon's setting and gameplay without the pressure of extraction-based encounters. Bungie appears committed to iterating on the Marathon formula, though the long-term success of these experimental approaches and the extent of Sony's support for its live service strategy remain to be seen.