Overview
- Bungie’s upcoming title, Marathon, will not feature proximity chat to mitigate potential toxicity among players.
- Game director Joe Ziegler highlighted that ensuring a safe gaming environment is paramount for Bungie.
- Although proximity chat was omitted initially, Bungie has not ruled out its future implementation, pending a solution to toxicity concerns.
Bungie’s revival of the Marathon franchise has encountered several challenges along the way, but players are now on the brink of experiencing the highly anticipated extraction shooter. As we approach its September 23 launch, recent updates from the development team have reignited excitement within the gaming community.
A significant milestone was reached on April 11, when Bungie unveiled an abundance of information about Marathon, including new trailers and engaging gameplay footage. The excitement is building, with plans to roll out six initial classes and three maps at launch. Yet, one notable gameplay feature—proximity chat—has sparked varied reactions among fans and potential players.
In a recent interview with PC Gamer, game director Joe Ziegler discussed the decision to exclude proximity chat, acknowledging the challenges of moderating player interactions effectively. He stated, “I don’t think anyone really has a good solution to that just yet.”Unlike titles such as Fortnite, which includes proximity chat to facilitate communication amongst nearby players, Marathon prioritizes a safe environment, free from harmful exchanges.
Initial Absence of Proximity Chat in Marathon
Although Bungie remains open to the idea of incorporating proximity chat in the future, the company is committed to ensuring a secure gaming atmosphere before making any changes. Ziegler reiterated this commitment, saying, “We’re not ready to invest in prox chat until we have a solution.”As players await the launch in September, the studio’s move to prioritize player safety over the addition of potentially disruptive features has drawn a mixed response from the community.
While other extraction shooters have successfully navigated toxicity concerns by offering options to disable proximity chat, the vast majority agree that when executed well, this feature enhances gameplay. Games like Hunt Showdown, Call of Duty: Warzone, and DayZ demonstrate the potential for proximity chat to create more immersive and engaging experiences. This leaves many fans hopeful that Bungie will eventually find a way to integrate this widely appreciated functionality into Marathon.