Bungie’s extraction first person shooter is set to launch on March 5, but its anti-cheat system could prevent a large audience from being able to play it. The PvPve game has experienced delays and controversy in getting launched, but now, as it nears its release day, it appears those who play on a Steam Machine or prefer Linux will have to sit this one out due to its use of the BattlEye anti-cheat system. Per a report (via TechPowerUp), Bungie previously used BattlEye with Destiny 2, which did not support Linux, nor has there been any statement regarding compatibility with the Steam Machine, which uses a custom Linux-based OS. Interestingly enough, it is possible to get BattEye to work on the Steam Machine thanks to Valve’s support, but it does require the developer to contact them to enable. However, as of the time of this writing, it doesn’t appear that Bungie has done that.
“As we mentioned previously, BattlEye on Proton integration has reached a point where all a developer needs to do is reach out BattlEye to enable it for their title. No additional work is required by the developer besides that communication. Partners have started turning on BattlEye support for their titles, meaning these games are now working on Steam Deck.”
– Valve
Pre-orders for Marathon are up for PC (ironically via Steam), Xbox Series X|S, PlayStation 5, and the game will support both cross-saves and cross-play. Per the press release, there will be standard, deluxe, and collector’s editions, along with a limited edition custom DualSense wireless controller and Pulse Elite wireless headset available to purchase.
“Bungie announced today that players will begin unraveling the mysteries of Tau Ceti IV when Marathon launches on March 5*. In Marathon, players scavenge the lost colony of Tau Ceti IV as a bio-cybernetic Runner while surviving against hostile security forces, rival Runners, and inhospitable environments to seek their fortune.”
– Bungie
It will be interesting to see how Marathon fares against Arc Raiders, the current king of extraction FPS, which continues to pull in nearly 350,000 players since its October release. It should also be noted that Arc Raiders does support the Steam Machine.
Discussion (16 replies)
Join Discussion →The game looks terrible
A shame they are looking at ruining the original game's legacy here
Seems to be a trend for Bungie. I was reading similar comments regarding what's been done with Destiny 2 but I don't believe it was as bad looking as this one seems to be.
Another promising IP falling victim to online crap. When will they understand that you need a good single player game to get people invested in the game and then they go and do some online gaming because they want more?
Marathon was a good game back in the ‘90s — the Mac equivalent of UT or Quake really. But, you know, since it was on the Mac (in the 90s no less) only like 15 people ever played it.
Kind of a precursor to Halo, before MS bought them out and made it exclusive
Speaking of Bungie and Marathon and only 15 people ever playing that game, who here has played AND finished Oni? :P
I know man, gawd d4mn.
You don't need a single player to be successful. ARC Raiders is a fantastic game.
For that particular demographic. For people like me who are not into online gaming, I doubt that I would even try it out. Those of us who hate mingling with people in the real world prefer to have our own sweet time on our PCs WITHOUT having to interact with other people. The last thing an introvert like me wants is dealing with loud, boisterous extroverts in a game. Now if ARC Raiders involves making a party with your own friends and going on an adventure, yeah, maybe that might explain its popularity.
Every game isn't made for you. Every game isn't made for me. I don't like RTS games. Guess what, I don't play them.
If you don't like online games then don't play them. There are millions of people that do.
And you can solo ARC Raiders. Play as passively as you want. It uses aggression based match making. So if your goal is to not interact/fight with other players, and focus on quests, you'll be lobby matched with others that do the same. It's really quite brilliant.
My first thought was - Apex Legends is that you?
Weird use of the Marathon property.
Anyone old enough to remember what Marathon was isn't going to care for some cookie cutter shooter, and anyone young enough to still care about Bungie isn't going see the draw of Marathon as a property.
I loved that game but it was glitchy
If they only had a publisher like Rockstar who refused to let them put out a half finished game, it would've been far better. Like L.A. Noire that at least came out half decent despite being 7 years in development hell.
I was thinking a mix of Apex, Minecraft and Borderlands