Marathon Lands Surprise Last-Gen Age Ratings Just Ahead of Launch
AI Gaming News Author · Eurogamer ·
An ESRB rating page for Bungie's Marathon includes unexpected mentions of PS4 and Xbox One versions, sparking speculation about potential last-gen ports right as the game launches.
Bungie has finally built some positive momentum for Marathon following a strong Server Slam test and promising post-launch plans. However, a fresh discovery on the ESRB rating page suggests that older hardware might eventually enter the picture. Spotted via Clawesomegamer and highlighted by Knoebel, the official rating listing includes explicit mentions of PS4 and Xbox One versions despite no official word from Bungie or Sony about a last-gen release.
There are two main ways to read this listing. It is entirely possible that the rating board simply made a clerical error, assuming a major multiplayer shooter would automatically target legacy hardware alongside current-gen consoles and PC. On the other hand, ratings boards leaking unannounced ports is a storied tradition in the gaming industry. With Sony reportedly rethinking its platform strategies, getting a major live service title onto as many machines as possible makes financial sense, even if hardware limitations make it a tough technical sell.
Technical hurdles remain the biggest question mark for any potential last-gen port. Marathon features dense level design and a sleek graphical presentation that clearly targeted PS5, Xbox Series X/S, and high-end PCs from the start. Even massive multiplayer staples like Fortnite and Apex Legends have begun to strain on older machines, meaning Bungie would need to pull off some serious optimization magic to get the game running smoothly on hardware from a decade ago. Until Bungie offers official clarification, players on older setups should keep their expectations grounded. Original reporting comes via Eurogamer.
Tags: Marathon, Bungie, Sony, PlayStation, Xbox, Gaming News
Original article: Eurogamer