Despite receiving mixed feedback from alpha testers, Sony remains determined to launch Bungie's highly anticipated extraction shooter Marathon within its fiscal year ending March 2026. The game, which has faced significant scrutiny since its reveal, continues to be a priority for Sony as it works to address player concerns.

Originally slated for a September 2025 release on PS5, Xbox Series X/S, and PC, Marathon encountered turbulence following allegations of art plagiarism. This PvP-focused extraction shooter challenges players to collect loot and survive in hostile environments, but development hurdles have raised questions about whether it might follow the disappointing trajectory of Concord.

Recent reports indicate that while alpha testers have requested delays, Sony's official documents (referenced in Slide 27 of their business presentation) describe the project as having "strong early engagement" and being an "innovative new title" - a characterization that contrasts with current community sentiment.

Hermen Hulst, CEO of Sony's Studio Business Group, acknowledged the "varied" feedback during an investor call but emphasized the value of this input for refining the game. "We're taking all lessons from the alpha phase to constantly improve the title," Hulst stated, expressing confidence in the team's ability to deliver a satisfying player experience.

The development team has faced well-documented challenges, including morale issues among staff and the art plagiarism controversy that led Bungie to publicly acknowledge using unauthorized artwork. While these incidents caused content delays, Sony maintains its commitment to the FY2025 release window.