Bungie has announced significant changes for its extraction shooter, Marathon, including the discontinuation of its seasonal model and the introduction of a new permanent PvE experience. The upcoming Symbiosis update, scheduled for December 8, marks the game's "first major step in Marathon’s next chapter," according to a studio statement. This update will introduce a new way for players to engage with the game's world beyond the traditional PvPvE extraction gameplay.
The Symbiosis update aims to deliver on player desires for a more robust PvE experience, which saw disappointment with Season 2's survival horror elements failing to meet expectations for features like fighting zombie Runner Shells. Bungie plans to evolve Marathon into a "more alien and dynamic survival experience," with the update teasing large, bug-like creatures reminiscent of those found in Helldivers 2. This marks a departure from previous encounters with smaller insectoid enemies.
Bungie has stated that a blog post detailing future plans for Marathon is slated for later this month, promising to address player questions and provide regular updates as the game moves toward the Symbiosis launch and beyond. The studio highlighted that this evolution will be shaped by player feedback. With the sunsetting of Destiny 2, there is speculation that Marathon might fill a similar niche, potentially introducing more complex AI-controlled NPCs and environmental hazards as central gameplay elements. The possibility of encountering the Pfhor, a known alien race from the Marathon lore, has also been raised by the community.