{"id":2007312,"date":"2026-06-23T22:21:47","date_gmt":"2026-06-23T19:21:47","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/?p=2007312"},"modified":"2026-06-23T22:21:47","modified_gmt":"2026-06-23T19:21:47","slug":"marathon-confirms-new-pve-mode-release-date-season-3-begins-september-2026","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/?p=2007312","title":{"rendered":"Marathon Confirms New PvE Mode Release Date, Season 3 Begins September 2026"},"content":{"rendered":"<div data-cy=\"article-content\" class=\"jsx-2870106660 article-content page-0\">\n<section data-cy=\"article-subtitle\" class=\"article jsx-3932497636 article-section jsx-862658659 news\" data-autopogo=\"true\">\n<section class=\"article-page\">\n<p data-cy=\"paragraph\" class=\"paragraph jsx-2269604527\"><a class=\"link jsx-1337145738 jsx-3925284146 underlined\" data-cy=\"styled-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.ign.com\/games\/marathon\">Marathon<\/a> has set a release date for its upcoming PvE mode, Vault Breaker, as well as the start of Season 3.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n<p data-cy=\"paragraph\" class=\"paragraph jsx-2269604527\">Marathon will release its new &#8220;experimental&#8221; PvE mode on July 21st as part of the next mid-season update. This new mode will allow players to venture into Cryo Archive, the map used for the game&#8217;s endgame raid-like content, to take on a series of challenging vaults. You&#8217;ll be able to do this on your own or with allies, with a unique progression system that lets you grow more powerful ahead of the final vault. Bungie also revealed that Vault Breaker will have some specific requirements to participate.<\/p>\n<p data-cy=\"paragraph\" class=\"paragraph jsx-2269604527\">&#8220;Vault Breaker requires a special Sponsored Kit to queue up, and any gear or items you find stay behind when you exfil,&#8221; <a href=\"https:\/\/x.com\/MarathonDevTeam\/status\/2069511054552686661\" class=\"link jsx-1337145738 jsx-3925284146 underlined\" data-cy=\"styled-link\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">says Bungie<\/a>. &#8220;The exception to this is Vault Data. This new currency is found within vaults, and when extracted, can be exchanged for upgrades to your Vault Breaker Sponsored Kits as well as gear that can be used in other modes. This lets you experience Cryo Archive without flooding the economy with low-risk, high-power Cryo loot.&#8221;<\/p>\n<div class=\"jsx-2896921488 video jsx-2008855984 aspect-ratio aspect-ratio-16-9\">\n<div class=\"badge jsx-1349606671 jsx-3647116352\"><span class=\"ign-icon icon-play jsx-2750866048 jsx-1044454891\" role=\"img\" aria-hidden=\"false\" data-cy=\"icon-play\" aria-label=\"Play\" style=\"background:currentColor\"><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p data-cy=\"paragraph\" class=\"paragraph jsx-2269604527\">This will come alongside &#8220;the first iteration of the Cradle Evolution system,&#8221; which will let you reset your maxed out Cradle back to zero in exchange for one additional maximum Energy point and unique cosmetic items. The mid-season update will also include various quality-of-life changes, including tuning changes and player profile stats. <\/p>\n<p data-cy=\"paragraph\" class=\"paragraph jsx-2269604527\">Although Season 2 has only just begun, Bungie has already set a date for Season 3. The next season of Marathon will begin on September 22nd, bringing with it a whole bunch of new content and changes to the extraction shooter.<\/p>\n<p data-cy=\"paragraph\" class=\"paragraph jsx-2269604527\">The news comes as Bungie is attempting to win over players who have yet to jump into Marathon or were turned off by it. The game has struggled to retain and attract players, <a class=\"link jsx-1337145738 jsx-3925284146 underlined\" data-cy=\"styled-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.ign.com\/articles\/marathon-reveals-new-pve-mode-and-big-plans-for-the-future\">prompting Bungie to make big changes to the game<\/a>. There seems to be hope that, if it offers more than PvP extraction content, it may attact a wider player base, but so far, the tides have yet to turn for Marathon. It had <a class=\"link jsx-1337145738 jsx-3925284146 underlined\" data-cy=\"styled-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.ign.com\/articles\/bungie-is-letting-players-try-marathon-for-free-for-a-limited-time\">a free trial at the start of Season 2<\/a>, but it didn&#8217;t move the needle much. Whether or not future updates can turn things around remains to be seen.<\/p>\n<p><span data-cy=\"poll-view-trigger\"><\/p>\n<section class=\"box-wrapper jsx-2673806401\">\n<div class=\"card jsx-1339469126 jsx-1355461925 box jsx-2627838217 poll-content-block\" data-cy=\"poll-content-block\">\n<fieldset class=\"answers jsx-332304107\" role=\"radiogroup\" aria-labelledby=\"poll-question\">\n<legend class=\"stack jsx-2624643483 jsx-4192417768\"><span class=\"stack jsx-3547261442\"><\/p>\n<h2 data-cy=\"poll-question\" class=\"title2 jsx-1903782357 jsx-1377259516 headline\" id=\"poll-question\">Will PVE Convince You to Play Marathon?<\/h2>\n<p><\/span><\/legend>\n<div data-cy=\"poll-answer\" class=\"jsx-45304670 poll-answer highlight\"><label class=\"interface jsx-326752785 toggle-label jsx-803093603 left-justified radio\" for=\"answerId66601\" id=\"answerId66601-label\"><span class=\"label\">Yes<\/span><span data-cy=\"left-justified\" class=\"left-justified toggle-wrapper\"><span class=\"icon-toggle-indicator\"><\/span><\/span><\/label><\/p>\n<div class=\"title5 jsx-62124236 jsx-1945348876\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div data-cy=\"poll-answer\" class=\"jsx-45304670 poll-answer\"><label class=\"interface jsx-326752785 toggle-label jsx-803093603 left-justified radio\" for=\"answerId66602\" id=\"answerId66602-label\"><span class=\"label\">No<\/span><span data-cy=\"left-justified\" class=\"left-justified toggle-wrapper\"><span class=\"icon-toggle-indicator\"><\/span><\/span><\/label><\/p>\n<div class=\"title5 jsx-62124236 jsx-2988246289\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/fieldset>\n<p><span class=\"stack jsx-2624643483 jsx-4255654680 poll-controls\"><button class=\"button-text jsx-729543028 button button--primary jsx-3381835873 jsx-2267841559 contained disabled full-width large\" disabled type=\"submit\" data-cy=\"poll-answer-btn\">Answer<\/button><button class=\"button-text jsx-729543028 button jsx-3381835873 jsx-1624977611 nav next-button small\" title=\"See Results\" aria-label=\"See Results\" data-cy=\"see-results-btn\"><span style=\"white-space:nowrap;overflow:hidden;text-align:right\">See Results<\/span><span class=\"ign-icon right-chevron jsx-2750866048 jsx-4173866675\" role=\"img\" aria-hidden=\"false\" data-cy=\"right-chevron\" aria-label=\"See Results\" style=\"background:currentColor\"><\/span><\/button><\/span><\/div>\n<\/section>\n<p><\/span><\/p>\n<div data-cy=\"accent-divider\" class=\"jsx-3449795453 divider jsx-2786329600\"><\/div>\n<p data-cy=\"paragraph\" class=\"paragraph jsx-2269604527\"><em>Cade Onder is a freelancer for IGN&#8217;s news team. He covers all things entertainment, including gaming, film, and more. You can find him on Twitter @Cade_Onder.<\/em><\/p>\n<\/section>\n<\/section>\n<p><span class=\"stack jsx-1475529924\"><\/p>\n<div class=\"jsx-2155806329 adunit-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"jsx-2155806329 bobble bobble-1 pogocnt pg-article\">\n<div data-mix-name=\"secondaryMedrec\" data-pos=\"1\" data-pogo-hide=\"1\" class=\"jsx-343126785 pogo-slot\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><\/span><\/div>\n<section class=\"article-page\">\n<p data-cy=\"paragraph\" class=\"paragraph jsx-2269604527\"><a class=\"link jsx-1337145738 jsx-3925284146 underlined\" data-cy=\"styled-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.ign.com\/games\/marathon\">Marathon<\/a> has set a release date for its upcoming PvE mode, Vault Breaker, as well as the start of Season 3.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n<p data-cy=\"paragraph\" class=\"paragraph jsx-2269604527\">Marathon will release its new &#8220;experimental&#8221; PvE mode on July 21st as part of the next mid-season update. This new mode will allow players to venture into Cryo Archive, the map used for the game&#8217;s endgame raid-like content, to take on a series of challenging vaults. You&#8217;ll be able to do this on your own or with allies, with a unique progression system that lets you grow more powerful ahead of the final vault. Bungie also revealed that Vault Breaker will have some specific requirements to participate.<\/p>\n<p data-cy=\"paragraph\" class=\"paragraph jsx-2269604527\">&#8220;Vault Breaker requires a special Sponsored Kit to queue up, and any gear or items you find stay behind when you exfil,&#8221; <a href=\"https:\/\/x.com\/MarathonDevTeam\/status\/2069511054552686661\" class=\"link jsx-1337145738 jsx-3925284146 underlined\" data-cy=\"styled-link\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">says Bungie<\/a>. &#8220;The exception to this is Vault Data. This new currency is found within vaults, and when extracted, can be exchanged for upgrades to your Vault Breaker Sponsored Kits as well as gear that can be used in other modes. This lets you experience Cryo Archive without flooding the economy with low-risk, high-power Cryo loot.&#8221;<\/p>\n<div class=\"jsx-2896921488 video jsx-2008855984 aspect-ratio aspect-ratio-16-9\">\n<div class=\"badge jsx-1349606671 jsx-3647116352\"><span class=\"ign-icon icon-play jsx-2750866048 jsx-1044454891\" role=\"img\" aria-hidden=\"false\" data-cy=\"icon-play\" aria-label=\"Play\" style=\"background:currentColor\"><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p data-cy=\"paragraph\" class=\"paragraph jsx-2269604527\">This will come alongside &#8220;the first iteration of the Cradle Evolution system,&#8221; which will let you reset your maxed out Cradle back to zero in exchange for one additional maximum Energy point and unique cosmetic items. The mid-season update will also include various quality-of-life changes, including tuning changes and player profile stats. <\/p>\n<p data-cy=\"paragraph\" class=\"paragraph jsx-2269604527\">Although Season 2 has only just begun, Bungie has already set a date for Season 3. The next season of Marathon will begin on September 22nd, bringing with it a whole bunch of new content and changes to the extraction shooter.<\/p>\n<p data-cy=\"paragraph\" class=\"paragraph jsx-2269604527\">The news comes as Bungie is attempting to win over players who have yet to jump into Marathon or were turned off by it. The game has struggled to retain and attract players, <a class=\"link jsx-1337145738 jsx-3925284146 underlined\" data-cy=\"styled-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.ign.com\/articles\/marathon-reveals-new-pve-mode-and-big-plans-for-the-future\">prompting Bungie to make big changes to the game<\/a>. There seems to be hope that, if it offers more than PvP extraction content, it may attact a wider player base, but so far, the tides have yet to turn for Marathon. It had <a class=\"link jsx-1337145738 jsx-3925284146 underlined\" data-cy=\"styled-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.ign.com\/articles\/bungie-is-letting-players-try-marathon-for-free-for-a-limited-time\">a free trial at the start of Season 2<\/a>, but it didn&#8217;t move the needle much. Whether or not future updates can turn things around remains to be seen.<\/p>\n<p><span data-cy=\"poll-view-trigger\"><\/p>\n<section class=\"box-wrapper jsx-2673806401\">\n<div class=\"card jsx-1339469126 jsx-1355461925 box jsx-2627838217 poll-content-block\" data-cy=\"poll-content-block\">\n<fieldset class=\"answers jsx-332304107\" role=\"radiogroup\" aria-labelledby=\"poll-question\">\n<legend class=\"stack jsx-2624643483 jsx-4192417768\"><span class=\"stack jsx-3547261442\"><\/p>\n<h2 data-cy=\"poll-question\" class=\"title2 jsx-1903782357 jsx-1377259516 headline\" id=\"poll-question\">Will PVE Convince You to Play Marathon?<\/h2>\n<p><\/span><\/legend>\n<div data-cy=\"poll-answer\" class=\"jsx-45304670 poll-answer highlight\"><label class=\"interface jsx-326752785 toggle-label jsx-803093603 left-justified radio\" for=\"answerId66601\" id=\"answerId66601-label\"><span class=\"label\">Yes<\/span><span data-cy=\"left-justified\" class=\"left-justified toggle-wrapper\"><span class=\"icon-toggle-indicator\"><\/span><\/span><\/label><\/p>\n<div class=\"title5 jsx-62124236 jsx-1945348876\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div data-cy=\"poll-answer\" class=\"jsx-45304670 poll-answer\"><label class=\"interface jsx-326752785 toggle-label jsx-803093603 left-justified radio\" for=\"answerId66602\" id=\"answerId66602-label\"><span class=\"label\">No<\/span><span data-cy=\"left-justified\" class=\"left-justified toggle-wrapper\"><span class=\"icon-toggle-indicator\"><\/span><\/span><\/label><\/p>\n<div class=\"title5 jsx-62124236 jsx-2988246289\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/fieldset>\n<p><span class=\"stack jsx-2624643483 jsx-4255654680 poll-controls\"><button class=\"button-text jsx-729543028 button button--primary jsx-3381835873 jsx-2267841559 contained disabled full-width large\" disabled type=\"submit\" data-cy=\"poll-answer-btn\">Answer<\/button><button class=\"button-text jsx-729543028 button jsx-3381835873 jsx-1624977611 nav next-button small\" title=\"See Results\" aria-label=\"See Results\" data-cy=\"see-results-btn\"><span style=\"white-space:nowrap;overflow:hidden;text-align:right\">See Results<\/span><span class=\"ign-icon right-chevron jsx-2750866048 jsx-4173866675\" role=\"img\" aria-hidden=\"false\" data-cy=\"right-chevron\" aria-label=\"See Results\" style=\"background:currentColor\"><\/span><\/button><\/span><\/div>\n<\/section>\n<p><\/span><\/p>\n<div data-cy=\"accent-divider\" class=\"jsx-3449795453 divider jsx-2786329600\"><\/div>\n<p data-cy=\"paragraph\" class=\"paragraph jsx-2269604527\"><em>Cade Onder is a freelancer for IGN&#8217;s news team. He covers all things entertainment, including gaming, film, and more. You can find him on Twitter @Cade_Onder.<\/em><\/p>\n<\/section>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Marathon has set a release date for its upcoming PvE mode, Vault Breaker, as well as the start of Season 3. Marathon will release its new &#8220;experimental&#8221; PvE mode on July 21st as part of the next mid-season update. This new mode will allow players to venture into Cryo Archive, the map used for the [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[226,243],"class_list":["post-2007312","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-uncategorized","tag-crawlmanager","tag-ign-com"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2007312","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=2007312"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2007312\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=2007312"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=2007312"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=2007312"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}