Bungie has finally unveiled its approach to seasons in the upcoming extraction shooter Marathon, noting that the universe and player actions on Tau Ceti will have an impact. It also confirmed that each new season will introduce new Runner Shells, zones, events, and gear, but they won’t cost a single dime. That’s right – free for all players. No DLC required (though paid cosmetics are still a thing).
That said, if you’ve played an extraction shooter not called ARC Raiders, then you’re probably familiar with seasonal wipes. For better or worse, the same fate awaits in Marathon, and you don’t get a say.
“Everyone will start fresh each season with nothing to their name and the constant threat of death in a world more lethal and powerful than you are.
“Over the course of the season, you’ll complete contracts and progress your faction upgrades, granting you access to stronger base stats and better wares in the Armory. It’s not just about what you loot, it’s about raising your power floor and the options available to you. Over time, recovering from a bad loss will get easier, and crafting your ideal build will be more accessible.”
After acquiring everything they need in a season – and maybe some extra goodies from the end-game Cryo Archive map in Season 1 – you’re encouraged to go nuts with all the best loot before it wraps up. However, when a new one rolls around, the player’s gear, level, Contract progression and Faction progression will reset.
On the bright side, all those Achievements, cosmetics, and Codex unlocks will remain alongside “other rewards you earn by playing and reaching milestones each season.” Factions are also available from the get-go, which means quicker access to their Contracts and progression trees.
“Seasonal resets mean that the game stays dangerous, loot feels meaningful, and there’s always a good opportunity to get back into the game or bring a friend in without feeling behind the curve,” says the development team. “It’s a way to say goodbye to the old, welcome the new, and kick off a journey from zero-to-hero with new ways to play, content to master, and things to discover.”
Marathon launches on March 5th for Xbox Series X/S, PS5, and PC, and there’s more to cover regarding upcoming content, so stay tuned.
