You won’t hear the battle cries of your foes in Bungie’s forthcoming extraction shooter, Marathon.

Proximity chat—a feature that’s become common in modern shooters—will be absent from this title. Bungie made this decision to prioritize player experience and safety, as they aim to create a welcoming environment for all.

Why No Proximity Chat?

According to Joe Ziegler, the game’s director, “When it comes to prox chat, I don’t think we’re against the experience of it, to be fair. I think the challenge is how to make sure we’re creating a safe environment for players inside of that space. I don’t think anyone really has a good solution to that just yet.”.

The absence of this feature has sparked reactions among the gaming community. Some prefer the lack of pressure from nearby players, while others argue that omitting proximity chat diminishes the potential for spontaneous interactions that are vital to the extraction shooter format.

Community Perspectives

The reactions from friends and colleagues vary significantly. Many view this as beneficial, preferring a stress-free experience, while others believe that forgoing a chance to negotiate or roleplay would ultimately harm gameplay dynamics.

As for now, Bungie remains open to the possibility of implementing this chat feature in the future but stresses that it won’t happen until a solution to toxicity is found.

Marathon Image

For a more comprehensive look at Marathon, including gameplay footage, check out their latest reveal stream!