Bungie is planning a "full PvE mode" for its extraction shooter, Marathon, to be released in Season 3, with an expected arrival date around September 22. The game has struggled with player retention since its March launch, with Steam concurrent player counts dropping from a peak of 88,337 to around 5,000-6,000 daily.

As a first step, Bungie is testing a roguelite "Vault Breaker" PvE mode from July 21 to August 4. Feedback from this test will inform the development of the full PvE mode. The exact nature of this mode, whether it builds on Vault Breaker or is entirely new, remains unclear.

This move towards PvE is seen as an effort to re-engage lost players and attract new ones. The release date for the full PvE mode is not yet confirmed but could coincide with Season 3 or arrive as a mid-season update in November or December.

Additionally, Joshua Deane has taken over as General Manager for Marathon, succeeding Scott Taylor. This leadership change occurs amidst recent layoffs at Bungie.