Vault Breaker Archives

AppWizard

July 22, 2026

Marathon’s experimental PvE mode is live, immediately tripling its daily player count

Bungie released Marathon's 1.1.5 update, introducing the Vault Breaker experimental PvE mode, allowing players to explore the Cryo Archive map for two weeks without competitive interference. Following this update, concurrent player counts on Steam exceeded 14,800, marking a threefold increase compared to the previous week and the highest activity since a decline after the June free weekend.

AppWizard

July 18, 2026

Marathon’s ‘experimental’ PvE mode will only be playable for 2 weeks when it goes live in July, full rollout expected to happen sometime in Season 3

Marathon's Vault Breaker PvE mode will launch on July 21 and be available for two weeks until August 4. A full rollout is expected in Marathon's third season, starting on September 22, though the exact date is uncertain. Bungie previously tested a Sponsored Survival mode in June, which received positive feedback from players. The studio is under pressure to deliver with the declining popularity of Destiny 2 and internal changes.

AppWizard

June 23, 2026

Marathon’s Vault Breaker PvE mode is coming in July, and here’s the twist: You leave your loot behind

Marathon has introduced a new mode called Vault Breaker, allowing players to explore the raid map Cryo Archive solo or in groups of two or three. This mode features a unique progression system where players enhance their power across multiple matches with the goal of reaching the final vault. To participate, players need a "Sponsored Kit," a free loadout designed for balanced gameplay. Unlike traditional extraction shooters, players will not keep gear or items found during runs; instead, they collect Vault Data, a currency for upgrading the Sponsored Kit or purchasing gear for other modes. The mode is set to launch on July 21 as part of a mid-season update, which will also introduce the Cradle Evolution system and various quality-of-life improvements. Community reactions are mixed, with some players criticizing the inability to retain items, while others see it as an opportunity to learn the map without high stakes.