{{
`${userDetail.user.displayName}${userDetail.user.cachedBungieGlobalDisplayNameCode ? `#${standardizeBungieGlobalCode(userDetail.user.cachedBungieGlobalDisplayNameCode)}` : ""}`}}
{{getUserClans()}}
Edited by Spawn:
3/7/2026 1:41:24 PM
6
Is Marathon a test sandbox made into a game?
I’ve got a hypothesis about it, if that’s what it is as a concept I have to give it a closer look, genuinely.
Bungie Mods or Devs out there, if you could please give me a response on this yourselves directly or in a TWAB on this I would be very grateful.
Hope you’re all hanging in there and doing well as you cook and regroup!
[spoiler]Moderator edit: This thread has been moved to [url=https://www.bungie.net/en/Forum/Post/140397455/0/0]#Offtopic[/url], a more appropriate forum for this offtopic discussion.
Feel free to private message the moderator who moved your post, link to topic, for further clarification about why this topic was moved.[/spoiler]
English
#Offtopic
-
1 ReplyExtraction shooters rarely feel like a full game because they all seem to try and copy the Tarkov game loop. That game was supposed to evolve into a DayZ type survival game with a realistic military feel. The devs just didn't ever finish their vision because they early test they sold was making so much money. Arc Raiders was supposed to be a looter shooter but all the very early builds of the game was really boring and sucked. They made it into an extraction shooter because they couldn't pull off an extraction shooter.
-
11 RepliesEdited by TheArtist: 3/8/2026 12:54:38 PMNo. I think it was just an incomplete game idea. One of the pivotal moments in creating anything, is when it wants to take on a life of its own. You start out with an idea of what you want it to be… …but then as it comes together, you realize that isn’t working and it want to be something different. Sounds like Marathon hit that moment….the devs realized it (this game needs pve) and their execs stamped it out (this is going to be an extraction shooter or bust). So now you have a game that is like an musical instrument that’s out of tune. It’s there…but you can FEEL that something vital is missing from the experience. Because you’ve forced it to be something it didn’t really want to be…and doesn’t really work well as an experience. Reforge Gaming said it right: they made the wrong game. Because Bungie’s corporate culture is that we will play anything they make. Not true in the 2026 gaming world. Way too many other things competing for people’s attention….
-
5 RepliesEdited by Obelix: 3/7/2026 11:27:56 PMWasn’t there a rumors that it was initially meant as a D2 game mode? Anyway, no point rehashing the past. Marathon is there, what has been done to D2 is done. All that’s left is check player count once in a while to try to guess if the s*** will eventually take off or hit the fan.
-
OR...was destiny just testing for Marathon
-
1 ReplyThat's the secret... As a non-answer, I'd say every game made is technically a test sandbox for the next game. Outside of that, as a company, they will likely not confirm or deny anything that could lead to speculation about future projects until they're good and ready. Legalities/NDA/Proprietary Info/Competitive Market implications.
-
I don't think they will respond to your theory as it would be a huge tell. I feel you're not far off in that sentiment, though. To me it's almost like they took Gambit and just made it more of an arena looter shooter with NPCs to engage with as well. The extraction parts they added feel like they were trend chasing.
