The launch of Bungie’s Marathon is just around the corner, and the response to the game has varied significantly since its unveiling in March 2023. In a recent fireside chat, PlayStation Studios head Hermen Hulst emphasized Sony’s commitment to ensuring that the title receives the best possible chance at success, acknowledging the mixed reactions it has garnered.

Hulst mentioned that Bungie is taking critical steps to avoid repeating the missteps encountered with its previous title, Concord. During the chat, he noted that while extensive effort has been invested in Concord, it ultimately failed to connect with players on a meaningful level. This has prompted Sony to refine its development processes to prevent similar pitfalls.

“We’ve introduced much more rigorous processes for validating our creative and commercial assumptions,” Hulst stated, highlighting Sony’s commitment to innovation and engagement during the game’s development. As of now, Marathon is poised to launch on September 23, 2025, but expectations of a delay linger as anticipation grows within the gaming community.

During the discussion, Hulst also remarked on the ongoing feedback loop established through closed alpha testing, aimed at enhancing player engagement and overall gameplay experience. He acknowledges that the feedback on Marathon has been diverse and stresses the importance of making every effort to understand audience reactions thoroughly.

With Destiny 2 waning in popularity, the pressure is on Bungie to deliver a strong performance with Marathon as Sony heavily invests in its foreseen success. The fate of Bungie’s future projects lies on ensuring this upcoming release resonates with the community.