Bungie is changing its tune with Marathon.

After spending months defending the game’s heavy PvP focus, the studio has now confirmed that proper PvE experiences are on the way in Season Two: Nightfall, launching on 2nd June.

And honestly, it feels like something players have been asking for since day one.

The first new mode arrives early in the season. Bungie describes it as a softer version of the main experience. PvP is still there, but environmental enemies and co-op survival will take centre stage instead of constant player hunting.

Later in the season, things go even further.

A full PvE mode is also coming, letting squads complete objectives together without worrying about rival teams jumping them every few minutes. Bungie says progression will carry across matches too, which should make the grind feel more rewarding.

Bungie’s Marathon Isn’t Fully Planned, And That Might Be a Bigger Risk Than It Sounds

That is a huge shift for Marathon.

Before launch, Bungie repeatedly argued that removing PvP would damage the entire identity of the extraction shooter. But player numbers have cooled off hard since release, and community feedback has become impossible to ignore.

Extraction shooters are already stressful enough. Not everyone wants every single run to feel like a ranked tournament.

Bungie also teased more experimental playlists beyond Season Two. Some may lean harder into PvP again, while others could continue expanding the PvE side of the game.

Right now, this looks less like a small update and more like Bungie trying to keep Marathon alive for the long haul.

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