As important as fun gameplay, post-launch content, and more can be for live-service multiplayer titles, including Bungie’s upcoming Marathon, strong networking infrastructure is also a must. To that end, the development team has outlined everything that you can expect in terms of security, including permabans with “no second chances” for cheaters and cheat manufacturers.
“Anyone found to be cheating or developing cheats will be permanently banned from playing Marathon forever, no second chances.” Of course, in case of any “issues in detection,” there will be an appeals system in place.
Other notable elements include dedicated servers that are “fully authoritative” for combat and looting, alongside “new networking systems” that allow “movement and actions to feel responsive while the server carefully tracks each bullet to its target, even with high packet loss.” Wall hacks and loot revealers will also be subverted via Fog of War, and in addition to anti-cheat software, BattlEye, Bungie has “rebuilt our game security stack from the ground up.”
Those disconnected during a run have the option to reconnect, and if that doesn’t work “due to an issue with Bungie’s server or network infrastructure,” you’ll get your starting gear back.
Of course, the development team acknowledges that security is an “ongoing conversation.” “We will be continuously monitoring the live game and will make frequent updates and investments to our network technologies and security measures,” it said.
The upcoming Server Slam will allow players to try all of this out and judge for themselves. From February 26th to March 2nd, players can experience two maps – Perimeter and Dire Marsh – which will be available when the game launches on March 5th. You can also play with all six Runner Shells and take on early Contracts for five of the six factions.
When Season 1 drops, two more maps will be available – Outpost and Cryo Archive – alongside Ranked Mode. All the factions will have their full progression trees and Contracts available as well. As for the future, Bungie hasn’t provided further details, but we could learn more next month post-release. In the meantime, check out a full run, from insertion to exfil, here.
