Bungie's extraction shooter "Marathon" has suffered a new setback after its most important update since launch was disrupted by widespread server instability.
Initially, this was intended to be a major comeback moment for the live-service title, but it instead turned into a frustrating rollout, with many players unable to access the game due to persistent errors and outages.
The timing of the issues proved especially damaging, as Season 2 introduced some of the game's biggest changes yet.
Season 2 Introduces Major Gameplay Overhaul
The Season 2 update brought a wide range of new content and system improvements aimed at re-engaging existing players and attracting new audiences. These additions included revamped progression systems, a new playable character type, a redesigned nighttime map, and a survival horror-inspired game mode.
The update was also made available during a limited free-access window, giving Bungie a rare opportunity to significantly expand the game's player base.
Server Errors Trigger Widespread Disruptions
Shortly after maintenance ended and servers went live, Bungie reported a surge in connection issues, including "Weasel" and "Anteater" error codes. These problems quickly escalated, preventing large portions of the player base from logging in or maintaining stable connections.
We need additional time to complete Marathon maintenance and deploy the patch.
— Marathon Development Team (@MarathonDevTeam) June 3, 2026
We appreciate your patience and will provide additional updates when they are ready.
As the situation worsened, Bungie issued compensation loot packs while attempting to stabilize services. However, continued instability forced the studio to take Marathon offline again to implement emergency fixes and additional maintenance.
The developer later confirmed that further updates were required, but did not provide a specific timeline for full recovery.
Community Reaction and Missed Opportunity
Kotaku spotted that players and streamers expressed frustration as the launch issues overshadowed early impressions of Season 2. Those who briefly accessed the update praised its improvements, but repeated disconnects prevented sustained gameplay.
The outage also coincided with major promotional visibility opportunities, including Sony's PlayStation State of Play showcase.
With "Marathon" temporarily free to play during its launch window, Bungie had a strong chance to attract new users, but server instability limited that potential impact.
High-Pressure Moment for Bungie
The trouble adds pressure on Bungie at a critical time, as the studio continues navigating broader transitions within its live-service strategy.
With "Destiny 2" moving toward a later-stage lifecycle and internal restructuring reports circulating, "Marathon" is seen as a key long-term project.
Season 2 introduced meaningful content upgrades, but its technical issues have overshadowed its launch. The coming days will be crucial in determining whether Bungie can restore stability and rebuild momentum or whether player confidence will continue to decline.
Originally published on Player One
