Bungie’s extraction shooter Marathon has been in a strange spot since its reveal.
The studio promised something bold, but the alpha showed issues like no solo queue, empty maps, art controversies, and no proximity chat.
At the time, Bungie leadership called the feature "too toxic" to implement safely.
Game director Joe Ziegler explained that while the team liked the idea, they weren’t prepared to risk players being harassed in-game without a strong protection system in place.
What Made Bungie Reverse Its Stance on Prox Chat?
Following a string of closed tests, Proximity Chat has finally been integrated and is reportedly active in current play sessions.
This reversal comes on the heels of player complaints that social interaction is the backbone of extraction games.
The ability to bargain, bluff, or threaten live gives prox chat a level of volatility that no pre-written interaction can replicate.
Bungie seems to have decided that leaving it out entirely would undercut the heart of what makes the genre work.
What Makes Proximity Chat Such a Big Deal in Extraction Games?
Approving proximity chat despite earlier warnings about its risks highlights the tightrope Bungie is on.
They know it’s a double-edged sword, as it makes the game feel alive but risks inviting the very toxicity they once feared.
The solution will likely depend on how robust the studio’s muting, reporting, and opt-in tools prove to be.
It’s obvious now that Bungie isn’t shying away from features players see as must-haves.
Marathon’s rocky start is giving way to steady progress as it edges closer to the social, high-stakes shooter Bungie originally set out to create, even if it means adopting a feature they once rejected.
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