According to a new report from Insider Gaming, just months before the scheduled launch of Bungie’s highly anticipated title Marathon, a new wave of controversy is casting uncertainty over the game’s future. Following recent accusations of art asset theft involving textures used in a previously accessible build, reports now suggest that Sony has pulled the plug on all major international paid marketing campaigns for the game.
No Paid Advertising in Key Markets?
In the latest episode of the Sacred Symbols podcast, veteran journalist and former IGN editor Colin Moriarty claimed:
“I’ve been told that in at least one major international market, there are no plans for any paid advertising for Marathon. It’s unclear whether this decision was made in response to the recent controversy or if it was always the plan—but it’s highly unusual for a game of this scale.”
This information appears to have originated from The Game Post, a site with a solid track record of covering Bungie-related projects.
A Growing List of Setbacks for Marathon
The current crisis isn’t limited to marketing issues. From an artistic standpoint, Marathon is facing significant backlash after several independent artists and internet users accused the game’s art team of using stolen or unlicensed textures. This marks the fourth similar allegation aimed at Bungie in recent years and has created a hostile media environment around the title.
Originally scheduled for release on September 23, 2025, Marathon was intended to serve as a reboot of one of Bungie’s earliest franchises. The game is being developed in the extraction shooter genre, aiming to compete with titles like Escape from Tarkov, Hunt: Showdown, and The Finals—a space that is becoming increasingly competitive.
Rumors of Delays… or Worse
With controversy mounting and advertising being scaled back, the project’s timeline appears to be in jeopardy. While Bungie has not issued any official statement regarding a delay or changes to the launch plan, industry sources have begun to speculate about a potential delay—or in a worst-case scenario, even a full cancellation of the project.
Radio Silence from Bungie Raises Concerns
To date, Bungie has not responded publicly to the recent allegations or to questions about Marathon‘s release status. However, the company’s silence, coupled with the quiet removal of promotional materials from some marketing channels, has fueled growing concern among fans and analysts alike.
For now, Marathon remains officially scheduled for a fall 2025 release, but unless Bungie breaks its silence soon, speculation and anxiety within the gaming community are likely to increase.
