Sony reaffirms its dedication to live-service gaming despite setbacks like Concord's failure, confirming Marathon will launch by April 2026 despite mixed alpha test feedback.

PlayStation's live-service hero shooter Concord became one of its most spectacular flops, shutting down within weeks after reportedly selling fewer than 25,000 copies. The debacle cost Sony hundreds of millions and led to Firewalk Studios' closure.

When asked how Concord's failure informs Marathon's development, Sony's Hermen Hulst acknowledged varied alpha feedback but pledged to release Bungie's extraction shooter by March 2026, vowing not to repeat past mistakes.

"Live-service represents tremendous opportunity despite unique challenges," Hulst stated, citing Helldivers 2's success versus Concord's failure. "Concord entered an oversaturated market without sufficient differentiation."

"We've implemented rigorous validation processes for creative and commercial assumptions during development," he explained. "For Marathon, we're leveraging rigorous testing cycles and player analytics to refine the experience."

Hulst described Marathon as Bungie's first original IP in over a decade: "We're committed to delivering an innovative, deeply engaging title. Varied test feedback is invaluable for iterative improvements before launch."

Marathon - Gameplay Screenshots

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The executive didn't address Marathon's recent art plagiarism controversy, where Bungie admitted a former artist used independent creator Fern Hook's work without permission, prompting public apologies from leadership.

Sony's live-service strategy has yielded both triumphs and disasters. Following Concord's collapse, Sony canceled The Last of Us multiplayer and two unannounced titles, including a Bluepoint-developed God of War spinoff.

Originally planning 10+ live-service games by 2026, Sony later scaled back to six confirmed titles. The company recently formed teamLFG studio while developing Horizon multiplayer and Haven's Fairgames.

Hulst emphasized Sony's commitment to building "a diverse live-service portfolio," highlighting MLB The Show, Destiny 2, and Helldivers 2's success, where microtransactions now drive over half of revenue.

"We're investing in new live-service experiences," Hulst said, confirming Marathon's planned March 2026 release window. "Helldivers 2 demonstrates what's possible when execution meets opportunity."