Vision of Marathon | Bungie ViDoc

The discussion kicks off with Steve Cotton, Creative Lead at Bungie, emphasizing the core essence of a shooting game rooted in survival, stating that existing in this world represents a formidable challenge. He notes that player feedback during Alpha testing revealed the environment lacked sufficient danger, prompting the team to intensify the sense of peril. Lars Bakken, the Senior Design Lead, adds that the world needs to feel more dynamic and alive to engage players more deeply. Joe Ziegler, Game Director, reinforces that the narrative of survival is a key component of their creative vision, suggesting that the setting of 'Heaven's Vault V' is inherently unwelcoming. Julia Nardin, Creative Director, remarks on the vibrant yet sinister nature of this world, highlighting that it shouldn’t feel like a place anyone would want to linger. Mike Humbolt, Senior Designer, shares the intent to merge the classic exhilarating shooting experience familiar to Bungie fans with the suspenseful urgency typical of survival games. Brenton Woodrow, Senior Design Lead, outlines that players seeking substantial loot will have to venture into perilous territories, with risks stemming from both players and AI alike. This is further illustrated with the introduction of the Scavenger Mode, which combines various gameplay elements including close-range communication and an overarching tense atmosphere. The next segment takes a narrative turn as the focus shifts to the lore of 'The Lost Starship: Marathon.' It introduces the Marathon spacecraft, launched from Earth amid overpopulation to explore a far-off colonization target known as 'Heaven's Vault V.' The tragic tale unfolds as humanity's ambitions to conquer the dark void of space meet failure, leading to a catastrophic disappearance of all aboard. Jon Goff, the Staff Narrative Lead, elaborates on the contemporary competition in the hazardous world of Heaven's Vault, which was ignited by a mysterious signal crossing the galaxy. This signal triggers chaos, pulling in corporate interests that invested in the Marathon project, raising critical questions about the fate of the crew and the valuation of their vanished assets. Goff paints a picture of a world rife with corporate greed and corruption, where humanity is sent out not just to uncover truths but to exploit the remnants of lost resources. This is where the 'Sprintwalkers' come into play: mercenaries donning bio-controlled exoskeletons, trading their physical beings for enhanced abilities in this chaotic environment.