Details of the new "Mirage" league for Path of Exile from the developer stream

Marathon Conducts Server Slam Test: Initial Results and Feedback

Bungie has launched a global technical test for its extraction shooter Marathon. The main goal for this weekend is to stress-test servers to their limits, so the developers have warned about potential queues, connection drops, and maintenance. Any issues encountered will help prepare a stable version for the release on March 5, 2026. All participant progress will be wiped after the test.

The current version features two locations on Tau Ceti IV: "Perimeter" and "Creepy Swamp." Players are given access to five Runner shells and the ability to take on contracts with factions. Challenges can be tackled solo or in a squad.

Initial test results are mixed. The peak concurrent player count on Steam exceeded 143,000, and the game climbed to third place on the sales chart. However, on PlayStation, users rated the beta 3.52 out of 5 stars—a modest result for a project that was reworked after a poorly received alpha.

Player opinions are divided. Many praise the atmosphere and gunplay. But others complain about a confusing tutorial, a high skill floor, and a cluttered interface. Some in the audience feel the gameplay is shallow and won't retain a mass audience. While the game has been improved, it's reportedly not enough yet.

A separate issue is console controls. The default settings are so inconvenient that players have to reconfigure everything manually.