Bungie decided not to shut down the experiment, instead extending the Vault Breaker PvE mode in Marathon until August 18th, while simultaneously shaking up weapon balance in patch 1.1.5.2.
The studio is clearly trying to recapture a rapidly dwindling audience. According to Steam Charts, peak online usage for Marathon has dropped by almost half since its release—and this patch is the first sign of the big third season, which launches on September 22nd. Tellingly, Bungie is not simply tweaking the numbers; they are deliberately prolonging the test period to gather more feedback.
The biggest change is that Vault Breaker will no longer be closed as originally scheduled. The event is available until August 18th, and the developers are clearly stating: “We are listening to your feedback and will adapt the PvE mechanics in the future based on it.” This is a risky move—instead of offering new content, players are being offered more time with the old one. But perhaps this is precisely how Bungie is testing whether the community is ready for a full-fledged PvE mode in the long term.
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Reasons for Extending the Vault Breaker Event in Marathon
The studio is open about it: they need data. The extension is not out of generosity, but a pragmatic collection of metrics. At the same time, the developers themselves admit that the current version of Vault Breaker is still rough, and without widespread feedback, it will not be polished. Incidentally, they also added some economic perks to the patch—apparently to sweeten the deal.
Free Starter Pack Updates
Starter packs have become more generous. Now, the free sponsored packs include:
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weapons with random green upgrades (random, but better than nothing);
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enhanced first aid kits;
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one of three grenades to choose from—smoke, thermal, or anti-personnel.
Plus, the Arsenal keys now have clear descriptions—a small thing, but a nice touch.
Weapon Balance and V22 Volt Thrower Changes
Now this is where things get serious. Bungie has once again taken on the V22 Volt Thrower, which was feeling underwhelming after the last nerf. The developers increased its damage from 12.6 to 14.4—a decent boost, but with caveats. At the same time, they have limited the effectiveness of projectile tracking during sustained fire and reduced the rate of fire after overheating. So, holding the trigger in Fanatic mode will not work anymore—you will have to monitor your burst.
The second notable change is to the KKV-9SD. Its base magazine capacity has been increased from 23 to 28 rounds. While modest at first glance, it is a significant bonus for intense firefights. The rest of the weapons, judging by the patch logs, remain unchanged.
Furthermore, balance changes in Marathon have always been controversial, and this patch is no exception. Some in the community are already grumbling that the V22 is too strong again, while others are happy to see the “old lady” back in action.
Bug Fixes and Preparation for Season 3
The update also addressed several persistent bugs. We fixed magazine modifications, adjusted the V85 Circuit Breaker upgrade, and, most importantly, fixed crashes with the Battle Pass and magazine that prevented players from receiving purchased items or seeing them as unavailable. The error was unpleasant, especially for those who donated.
But overall, this is a cosmetic patch. No new locations, enemies, or modes. Bungie, apparently, is preparing the main features for Season 3, and right now is just patching holes and calibrating weapons. The question is: will the studio have enough time and resources to reverse the declining audience, or will Marathon suffer the fate of many Extraction shooters that quickly lost hype? We will get the answer this fall, when the seasonal content launches.
As of now, patch 1.1.5.2 is already live, Vault Breaker has been extended, and weapon balance has been shaken up again. What do you think—will this save the game or just delay the inevitable?
