Bungie has outlined its upcoming plans for Marathon, confirming key dates for the game’s next major updates, including a new PvE mode arriving with the mid-season update on July 21 and the launch of Season 3 on September 22.
The headline addition for the mid-season update is Vault Breaker, a new experimental PvE experience set within Cryo Archive. Players can tackle the mode solo, in a duo, or as part of a full crew while progressing through a series of increasingly difficult vaults.
Vault Breaker features its own progression system that is separate from the rest of the game. Players enter using a dedicated Sponsored Kit and can strengthen their loadouts over multiple runs as they work towards the mode’s final vault and uncover the mystery waiting inside.
Unlike Marathon’s standard modes, equipment and items collected during Vault Breaker runs remain within the mode when players successfully extract. The exception is a new resource called Vault Data, which can be taken out and exchanged for upgrades to Vault Breaker Sponsored Kits. It can also be used to obtain gear for use in other game modes. Bungie says this approach allows players to explore Cryo Archive without heavily impacting the wider in-game economy.
The July 21 update will also introduce the first version of the Cradle Evolution system. Once players fully upgrade their Cradle, they will be able to reset its progression and start again from zero. Doing so increases the player’s maximum Energy by 1 and unlocks access to exclusive cosmetic rewards, including multiple Runner shell styles.
While the new cosmetics will be released later in the season, players who meet the requirements beforehand will automatically receive them when they become available. Bungie also confirmed that Cradle progression speeds will be increased alongside the new system.
Additional improvements planned for the mid-season update include various balance adjustments, quality-of-life enhancements, and the introduction of player profile statistics.
Looking beyond July, Season 3 is scheduled to begin on September 22. Bungie says the update will significantly overhaul the game’s early experience, including a major rework of Perimeter that adds new areas, encounters, and gameplay opportunities.
Season 3 will also introduce a new Runner shell, additional weapons and equipment, as well as further content that Bungie has yet to fully reveal.
The developer says more details on both the mid-season update and Season 3 will be shared closer to their respective launch dates.
