Although Marathon‘s launch has delivered good results in terms of scores and player numbers, Bungie‘s new shooter has not been without controversy. The game has received numerous criticisms for its microtransaction system, particularly for the battle pass content and certain cosmetic limitations, to the point that some players have called it the “worst value for money in the industry.” The complaints have been loud enough for the studio to already confirm a patch with monetization adjustments.
One of the community’s main criticisms has focused on how the game’s cosmetics work. Items such as stickers or weapon charms can only be equipped on one weapon at a time, meaning players have to obtain duplicates if they want to use them on multiple weapons. Many players feel this not only unnecessarily complicates customization, but also serves to pad the reward pass with repeated versions of the same item, reducing the sense of progression.
Ok so. I don't want to put a sour note on the launch, but I had a suspicion about the monetisation strategy that Marathon would employ during the server slam that has now been confirmed by the full release of marathon.
byu/JavanNapoli inMarathon
The criticism has been especially notable on Reddit, where several users have compared the system to controversial decisions from Bungie‘s past. “This really devalues the pass progression,” noted one player, while another recalled Destiny 2‘s original system in a comment that has since gone viral. In that game, shaders were single-use consumables that only applied to one piece of armor, forcing players to obtain several to complete a full set. The Reddit thread can be read here.
The battle pass has also come in for criticism. Some players have described it hyperbolically as “the worst way to spend your money,” pointing out that it barely includes any standout rewards. One of the most repeated comments is that it only offers one character skin, something many consider meager compared to other games in the genre, which typically include several cosmetic rewards of that type.
Bungie Is Already Working on Adjustments for This Week
In response to the criticism, Bungie has confirmed that it is already working on a patch arriving this week. One of the announced changes affects the 9.99 euro premium currency pack: it currently offers 1,100 Lux, but will now include 1,120 Lux. The goal is for players to be able to purchase certain cosmetics without having to buy two separate packs. Additionally, those who already purchased this pack will receive compensation of 20 Lux for each purchase made before the change comes into effect.
Source: 3DJuegos
