Embark's söderlund praises bungie's swift marathon fixes
Patrick Söderlund, CEO of Embark Studios, offered a rare commendation to Bungie, highlighting their rapid response to playtest feedback for Marathon. The praise comes amidst ongoing buzz surrounding Embark's upcoming extraction shooter, Arc Raiders, and signals a surprising degree of cordiality between the two studios.
Söderlund credits bungie's agile response
Speaking to GamesIndustry.biz, Söderlund addressed the persistent comparisons between Arc Raiders and Marathon, which launched on March 5th. While acknowledging initial criticism of Marathon's technical test, he emphasized Bungie's ability to quickly address concerns raised during early playtests. “It looks like the team has done a really good job of turning what was a big problem around in a very short period of time. That’s unusual,” Söderlund stated. This swift turnaround is particularly noteworthy, considering the anxieties surrounding Marathon's revival following the success of the original Halo series.
The initial feedback on Marathon, according to Sony, was “varied,” prompting a significant overhaul before the launch build. Söderlund further elaborated on the differences between the two games, noting that Marathon leans more towards player-versus-player gameplay, while Arc Raiders prioritizes player-versus-environment encounters. However, he conceded that Marathon incorporates elements he finds appealing, particularly the connection between player actions and progression.
The recent controversy surrounding alleged censorship in Marathon's in-game chat – a situation swiftly rectified – underscores the challenges of launching a new title. Söderlund’s comments represent a significant departure from the expected competitive atmosphere between the two studios. The swift resolution of the chat censorship incident suggests a proactive approach from Bungie to player feedback, a detail that resonated with Söderlund.
Arc Raiders, released in October 2025, has been under scrutiny for months, while Marathon's post-launch support is just beginning. Söderlund’s remarks offer a glimpse into the dynamics between two major players in the gaming landscape, hinting at a level of respect often absent in fiercely competitive industries. The fact that a CEO of a direct competitor is publicly praising another studio's work speaks volumes about the quality of Bungie's response.
Michael Cripe is a freelance writer with IGN. He's best known for his work at sites like The Pitch, The Escapist, and OnlySP. Be sure to give him a follow on Bluesky (@mikecripe.bsky.social) and Twitter (@MikeCripe).