As Marathon attempts to claw its way back up to better player numbers, it will have its first Open Play Week from June 2nd to 9th. And to help accommodate new players, Bungie is offering the first of two experimental PvE modes: Sponsored Survival.
In a typical match, all Runner crews spawn on the map at the same time (barring any Rooks who can join one in progress). Sponsored Survival takes place on Night Marsh, the new map, but only one crew will start. They’ll have a few minutes to explore and battle the UESC (and other monstrosities) before the Rooks start to join.
You could leave them alone and go about your business, strike up a temporary alliance, gun them down as you please or exfil early. Either way, when 18 minutes have passed, the final exfil will be available. Just in case you’re joining as a Rook and worried about the sheer firepower of the Runner Crew, the latter can only have Sponsored Kits at the start.
What happens if they find better weapons or make up for that with better coordination? Well, you better run fast. Note that all Rooks will immediately be redirected into Sponsored Survival as it’s available, so even if you’re not a new player, you might as well take the opportunity to learn the intricacies of Night Marsh.
Once again, this is only the first PvE mode – the second arrives later in Season 2 and won’t have PvP at all. It’s all experimental, so whether they’re permanent additions to the game or not remains to be seen.
Marathon Season 2: NIGHTFALL goes live at the same time as the Open Play Week for Xbox Series X/S, PS5, and PC. Head here for what you should know before jumping in.
