Is Bungie’s new extraction shooter poised for esport?
Renowned AAA game developer, Bungie, unveils a new multiplayer game titled ‘Marathon’. It aims to revive an old genre: the ‘extraction shooter’. Gamers can sign up now for a chance to join the game’s closed alpha on 23 April, but certain media outlets and creators have already been given access.Â
Marathon offers an esport-ready gameplay loop
Marathon centres on three-person squads deployed onto a map, where they compete to complete objectives or disrupt one another’s progress. It shares a strong resemblance to Apex Legends, especially in its movement mechanics wherein players use to navigate the terrain.Â
The game also borrows elements from Call of Duty and Rainbow Six Siege, such as the loadout system. It lets you deploy with your squad, equipped with gear and tools that suit your playstyle. You also get tiered loot, like in Apex Legends, to upgrade your character, making you more effective in combat as the match progresses.
The key distinction is that killing is not the main goal. Marathon is an extraction shooter, and it revolves around reaching a target and leaving the map with it to win.
Marathon aims to challenge Escape from Tarkov
Bungie has made it clear that Marathon will be an extraction shooter, so it is entering a niche esports market. Currently, Escape from Tarkov is the only game with a thriving esports scene in this genre, but Marathon could eventually compete in this space. With Bungie behind its development, it has a strong potential to reach greater heights.
