There’s another experiment on the way to Marathon. Last month, Bungie started testing a duos mode in the extraction shooter. According to an update from Joe Ziegler, that mode will be making its way into the game as a full feature in season two, with Bungie “diligently working on delivering that to all of you who are eagerly awaiting its return.” But with this update comes the next test: a new mode that forces you into using sponsored kits.
Starting from tomorrow, April 15th at 6pm BST/1pm ET/ 10am PT, and ending on April 29th at the same time, a Dire Marsh – Sponsored Queue option will be available to dive into. “This is a new experimental queue that is focused on learning a bit more about our early gear ecosystem,” Ziegler explained in a Steam blog post. Rather than loading into a game with any kit you’ve accrued, here you’ll start with a free sponsored kit, and will have to make do with whatever you find in Dire Marsh.
To queue up for it you’ll have to first make sure you have a white tier free sponsored kit equipped, so some menu fiddling will be required. You’ll also be able to enter as a premade duo (crew fill off), premade trio, or crew fill into a trio. In terms of what Bungie will be keeping an eye on, they want to understand “how the game plays out with low fixed set gear conditions and caps,” “how the zero to hero play works in low starting set gear conditions and caps,” and any tech issues that come up.
Considering the explicit challenge that’s put forth by Marathon and its genre, a consequence free mode like this sounds like it could be a strong way to ease new people into it. Seems like a great opportunity to test out other shells too, almost like a self-imposed tutorial. I continue to hold a curiosity about Marathon because the vibe is tuned to my exact brainwave, but the impermanency of it all feels a tad offputting. I just don’t want to lose my stuff! Perhaps this will be my in.
Marathon’s mid-season update rolls out today too, bringing with it weapon adjustments, commendations, and more. You can read about all the additions in the patch notes.
