Bungie Archives

AppWizard

June 26, 2025

This month 25 years ago in PC gaming, our biggest concerns were pro gaming, moral panics about violent games… and we still thought Halo was a PC exclusive

In June 2000, PC Gamer UK highlighted the emerging world of esports, featuring professional gamers Amir Haleem and Sujoy Roy, who had earned significant prize money and were considering transitioning to full-time gaming careers. The magazine suggested that gaming could become a viable profession, drawing parallels to sports figures like David Beckham. By 2025, Haleem became CEO of a blockchain company, while Roy led partnerships at OG esports, reflecting the evolution of professional gaming careers amid ongoing concerns about sustainability and burnout. The 2000 Channel 4 Dispatches documentary 'Video Nasties' sparked debates about violent video games, claiming they could influence players' perceptions of real-world situations. Anticipation for Team Fortress 2 was high, with promises of innovative gameplay elements, while Bungie's Halo was initially expected as a PC-exclusive but was designed for console controls. The summer of 2000 saw few notable game releases, with The Longest Journey receiving modest reviews. Additionally, Bluetooth technology was beginning to gain traction in the market, although its use in competitive gaming was met with skepticism.

AppWizard

June 18, 2025

Bungie delays Marathon

Bungie has announced a delay for its game Marathon, which will not launch on the originally scheduled date of September 23rd. A new release date has not been set, but an updated launch window will be communicated in the autumn. The delay follows a mixed reception from a recent alpha playtest, and Bungie aims to enhance the game's survival gameplay, enrich the game world, and improve the social experience based on player feedback. The decision for the delay was made after extensive discussions within the development team, emphasizing the importance of creating a compelling experience characterized by survival, mystery, lore, and Bungie's first-person shooter combat.

AppWizard

June 17, 2025

Marathon is delayed, new release date will be announced in the fall: ‘We need more time to craft Marathon into the game that truly reflects your passion’

Bungie announced that the release of the game Marathon has been delayed due to varied feedback from playtesters. The initial release date of September 23rd has been postponed, with a new timeline to be communicated in the fall. Concerns about the game's development progress have arisen, and a document suggests that Marathon could be released in Sony's fiscal year 2025, which ends on March 31, 2026.

AppWizard

June 12, 2025

Summer Game Fest no-shows: 9 big games that were absent from 2025’s showcases

Fable was absent from the Summer Game Fest, leaving fans concerned about its progress. Everwild, announced in 2019, remains mysterious with rumors of a complete overhaul. Details about Blade are scarce, raising questions about its future. Kingdom Hearts 4 has been quiet since its announcement, with only scattered screenshots available. Marathon's absence from the showcase raises concerns about its development and market readiness. The Splinter Cell Remake has shifted focus to a TV adaptation, with development setbacks causing frustration among fans. Beyond Good & Evil 2 has the longest development time in gaming history, with ongoing uncertainty about its release. Hollow Knight: Silksong has experienced delays, with fans awaiting more substantial updates despite a brief gameplay glimpse.

AppWizard

June 6, 2025

Fill the Marathon-shaped hole in your life with Supplice, the best prog-heavy boomer shooter you’ve never heard of

Bungie's reboot of the classic FPS series Marathon was absent from the recent State Of Play showcase, facing scrutiny over allegations of aesthetic plagiarism. In contrast, the early access game Supplice, inspired by Marathon, features fast-paced gameplay, a robust shotgun, and labyrinthine levels. It includes exposition-filled terminals and a progressive metal soundtrack. The latest episode, titled 'An Anthem of Hammers', introduces new gameplay elements such as the heat-proof Lava Suit, five new enemy types, a new boss, and the Fission Dynamo weapon. Supplice is built on the GZDoom engine and aims for a total of six episodes, with the first four currently available for £8 on Steam. It is also offered in a discounted bundle with another title, Incision, for £13.

AppWizard

June 4, 2025

‘In a very interesting way, it actually reduces the work’: Destiny 2’s director explains why reinventing the wheel with The Edge of Fate was actually the easier option

Destiny is set to release a new expansion titled The Edge of Fate on July 15, following the success of The Final Shape. The expansion aims to revitalize player engagement and introduce innovative gameplay mechanics, including an expanded buildcraft space and a new gear tiering system for armor and weapons. Bungie is working on enhancing Darkness subclasses and introducing Solo Ops for single-player experiences. The developers emphasize balancing challenge and reward, ensuring that players earn rewards through meaningful challenges. A new World Tier system will apply to the Kepler destination, allowing casual players to navigate the campaign at their own pace. Bungie is cautious about introducing a rarity tier above exotic items to maintain a balanced loot system. The team is also considering the return of class items from the original Destiny.

AppWizard

June 3, 2025

The Edge of Fate will be the biggest change to Destiny 2 since it launched—an injection of fresh ideas, but also of ARPG grind

Bungie's upcoming expansion for Destiny 2, The Edge of Fate, introduces a tiered loot system categorizing new gear from one to five, with higher tiers offering enhanced perks and stat increases. The expansion features new weapon archetypes, including rocket sidearms and healing auto rifles, and introduces a Portal feature for selecting activities and customizing difficulty. Daily rotating guaranteed rewards for specific playlists aim to streamline the acquisition of tier 5 weapons and introduce set bonuses for armor. The expansion is set to launch on July 15.

AppWizard

May 26, 2025

‘They’re very determined, suddenly, to see your game fail’: Former Dragon Age writer calls out ‘anti-fans’ who bet on games failing before launch

Former BioWare writer David Gaider discussed the concept of "anti-fans," referring to players and content creators who focus on negative aspects of games, leading to campaigns of negativity before a game's release. This behavior is observed in a vocal minority that critiques upcoming titles, such as Dragon Age: The Veilguard and Assassin's Creed Shadows. The influence of these "anti-fans" extends beyond individual games, affecting the industry, as seen with the genre shift of Marathon and criticisms directed at Bungie. Gaider notes that this group seems to take pleasure in the potential financial failure of projects, which he describes as mean-spirited.

AppWizard

May 23, 2025

Games Inbox: Are video games too expensive on console and PC?

Bethesda's latest game, Doom: The Dark Ages, is priced at £70 for both PC and console and can be completed in about 13 hours. This pricing strategy has raised concerns among gamers, especially since PC games typically have lower price points. Some gamers believe this may be an attempt by Microsoft to promote its subscription service, Game Pass, while others plan to wait for sales. Additionally, there are concerns about Bungie's management following its acquisition by Sony, with critics questioning the effectiveness of such corporate acquisitions in revitalizing franchises. In contrast, Nintendo is innovating with its upcoming Mario Kart World for the Switch 2, moving the series to an open-world format, which has generated excitement among fans. The gaming community remains engaged in discussions about pricing, management, and innovation as the industry evolves.

AppWizard

May 16, 2025

Bungie launches internal investigation following art theft allegations

Bungie has acknowledged that some assets in the upcoming game, Marathon, were improperly sourced from artist Fern "4nt1r34l" Hook. Following her public allegations, Bungie confirmed that a former employee included unauthorized artwork in the game, and that individual is no longer with the company. Bungie is conducting a comprehensive review of its art assets to prevent further plagiarism and is implementing stricter protocols for documenting artist contributions. The company has reached out to Hook to address the issue and reaffirmed its commitment to ethical practices in the creative process.