Bungie recently caught the attention of both social media and Reddit with its latest stream showcasing early gameplay footage from their upcoming first-person extraction shooter, Marathon. The reactions have been mixed, with some drawing parallels to Concord, a hero shooter that Sony pulled from online shortly after its launch. This comparison prompted a former Concord developer to reach out to the community on Marathon’s subreddit, requesting viewers to approach the new game with an open mind.
This developer, writing under the username MrSpug, candidly shared the challenges faced by the Concord team. They expressed regret over the game’s inability to engage its audience, acknowledging the disappointment that came with its reception. “It was truly disheartening to see our work not succeed and be ridiculed online,” they said. Having previously been part of Firewalk Studios before its closure by Sony, the developer empathized with the Bungie team for venturing into such a competitive space and applauded their willingness to take risks.
Reflecting on their personal experience, the developer mentioned, “I was involved in Concord’s development and gave it my all. Unfortunately, we didn’t hit the mark, but please don’t let our shortcomings impact your view of others’ efforts.”
While Concord and Marathon cater to different gaming experiences, they share a commonality in being Sony titles. During the stream, one of the main points of debate was Bungie’s decision to opt out of the free-to-play model. Instead, Marathon is set to be priced lower than the average new release, likely around $40, come September. This price point has led some to question whether it might face the same fate as Concord.
In response to the ongoing comparisons, the former Concord developer expressed their surprise at the quick judgments about Marathon’s potential success. “I didn’t want to make it about me or seem like I’m inserting myself into this discussion,” they commented. “But to label this game a failure before it’s even hit the market is something I find hard to grasp.”
