Bungie has announced a comprehensive evolution of Marathon, its extraction shooter launched in March, designed to broaden its appeal beyond hardcore players. The studio acknowledged that the game was too challenging and limited in scope for general audiences, and is now committed to supporting diverse playstyles ranging from quick post-work sessions to competitive matches and cooperative exploration.

The overhaul begins with the Nightfall refresh in October, followed by the significant Symbiosis update on 8 December, which introduces Marathon's first permanent PvE mode where players can explore without player-versus-player threats. The December update will also feature a new Team Deathmatch mode, an expanded and visually overhauled Perimeter map, and a new character called Bishop—described as a high-performance robot samurai. Bungie is additionally improving onboarding with a new social space and firing range, with a larger evolution planned for March 2027.