Vortex Gaming

· Season 2 brought positive changes like new runners, a nighttime version of the Dimash map, intriguing puzzles and secrets, new gear, and the addition of unexpected alien-type enemies.
· The nighttime Dimash, in particular, enhanced the game's immersion with its mature theme and spooky atmosphere.
· Additionally, the introduction of the Cradle system and leveling features added depth to the gameplay.

· Season 2 started with 40,000 concurrent players but gradually saw a decline.
· Reasons for player departure include the release of Destiny 2's latest DLC and the exit of new players after the free-play week ended.
· However, there are also underlying issues within the game itself that require in-depth analysis.

· The 'Sponsor Survival Mode' introduced early in Season 2, a PvP-lite mode, was similar to the PvE experience and was great for new players to learn the game and farm gear.
· This mode was an excellent tool for new players to reduce the skill gap and adapt to the game, but its subsequent removal left a void.
· Other games like Hunt: Showdown also have high entry barriers for new players, and Marathon similarly needs an onboarding experience that helps new players adapt and compete.
· Bungie needs to establish an onboarding system for new players through PvP-lite or PvE experiences.

· Many players prefer to play solo when first learning a game, but Marathon tends to force a trio-centric playstyle.
· Although the Marathon community is generally positive, there's still a barrier for solo players.
· We need to strengthen the solo player experience and see if the upcoming PvE Cryo mode positively impacts new player onboarding.
· Currently, the enemies in Season 2 are much more aggressive than in Season 1, posing a greater challenge for solo players.

· Extraction shooters need to satisfy both PvE and PvP players, but Marathon is criticized for lacking content in both areas.
· PvE players want repetitive Cradle system gameplay, new maps, bosses, puzzles, contracts, and story elements.
· PvP players are highly dissatisfied with the ranking system; the current meta is boring and lacks variety, failing to offer new experiences.
· The ranking system, in particular, is heavily influenced by gear, often leading to wins and losses determined by equipment rather than skill, which needs improvement.

· Early in Season 2, looting through Night Mash and Authentication Tags was too easy, allowing players to quickly acquire top-tier gear.
· This contrasts sharply with Season 1, where it took 100 hours to get the best gear.
· After Bungie nerfed the loot, the gap between players who consistently played and those who didn't widened further.
· Furthermore, with many players acquiring top-tier gear from the start of the season, the core extraction shooter experience of 'everyone starting with weak gear' couldn't be properly enjoyed.
· Currently, looting is too difficult, causing players to struggle with game progression, which is the opposite of the excessive loot provided early in the season.
· Bungie needs to build a progressive loot system where players obtain lower-tier gear early in the season and higher-tier gear as the season progresses.

· Season 2 has numerous bugs, including Lockdown system errors, invincibility bugs with some bots, rubberbanding, uncollectible loot, reduced convoy spawn frequency, barter system errors, and audio bugs.
· The audio bugs, in particular, significantly impact gameplay, such as footsteps not being heard or certain sound effects disappearing.
· Laser trap bugs and inability to revive in Cryo have also been reported.
· Bungie's communication regarding these bugs is insufficient, and the frequency of communication has decreased compared to Season 1.
· Despite Bungie experiencing staff reductions, consistent communication with players is essential for the game's survival.

· The decrease in player count makes the game harder, which in turn makes it more difficult for new players to join, creating a 'PvP Death Spiral.'
· Matchmaking times increase, and in some regions, matchmaking becomes impossible, worsening the player experience and potentially leading to the game's demise.
· To prevent this vicious cycle, it's crucial to maintain a healthy player base and attract new players.

· This video aims to provide constructive feedback for the game's improvement, not to criticize Marathon.
· We hope to share player opinions and that Bungie will offer a better experience in Season 3.
· More content about Marathon is being prepared, so subscribe to the channel and look forward to the next video.