Bungie's highly anticipated extraction shooter Marathon - their first new IP since Destiny 2 in 2017 - is facing significant challenges as its September 2025 release approaches. Multiple controversies including plagiarism accusations, unfavorable comparisons to other games, and negative playtester feedback have created what employees describe as the worst morale in studio history.

The problems began shortly after the game's initial reveal, when some gamers immediately drew parallels between Marathon and the commercially unsuccessful Concord, dubbing it "Concord 2.0." This early skepticism set the tone for what would become an increasingly difficult development cycle for Bungie's team.

Plagiarism Scandal Adds to Development Woes

Perhaps the most damaging controversy emerged when Bungie admitted that a former artist had plagiarized artwork used in some of Marathon's environments. This revelation forced the studio to conduct a comprehensive audit of all game assets, creating significant uncertainty about development timelines and adding pressure to an already stressed team.

According to anonymous developers speaking to Forbes, the studio atmosphere has become "actively hostile" with "vibes never worse." Employees across departments reportedly feel the mounting pressure as concerns grow about Marathon potentially flopping at launch.

Playtesters Call for Delay

Adding to the challenges, several alpha testers have suggested the game needs more development time and should be delayed until 2026. Their feedback indicates Marathon may not be ready for its scheduled September 2025 launch, particularly with the additional work required to replace any plagiarized assets.

While Bungie hasn't officially announced any delay, the studio is reportedly reconsidering its marketing strategy. Plans for an August open beta may be changed to a series of public playtests, and the primary marketing campaign - originally scheduled to kick off with a June trailer and pre-orders - is being reworked.

The Road Ahead

With morale in what employees describe as "free-fall," and multiple challenges still to overcome, the future of Marathon remains uncertain. The gaming community continues to watch closely as Bungie navigates these difficulties while trying to deliver a polished product that can compete in the crowded extraction shooter market.