Marathon: Extraction Shooter’s Mainstream Breakthrough?

Late last month, gaming giant EA laid off 300 employees, including approximately 100 from developer Respawn Entertainment. Known for creating Apex Legends and the Star Wars Jedi series, Respawn allegedly had a third Titanfall game in development before these cuts. Insiders suggest this canceled project was an extraction shooter - a demanding PvPvE hybrid genre currently appealing primarily to niche audiences. An extraction shooter set in the Titanfall/Apex universe could have propelled the genre into mainstream popularity. With EA abandoning this effort, industry attention turns to who might successfully transition "Tarkov-like" games beyond their current enthusiast base.

Is Respawn"s Cancelled Project the Canary in the Coal Mine?

"We"ve made organizational adjustments to better align with our strategic priorities," an EA spokesperson stated regarding the Respawn reductions. This follows similar downsizing at EA subsidiaries Codemasters and BioWare, plus broader 670-person layoffs in March 2023. These cuts fuel ongoing debates about game industry sustainability.

The rumored Titanfall extraction shooter"s cancellation disappoints fans who"ve waited years for franchise news. Whether factual or not, speculation about Respawn"s project has sparked broader discussions about extraction shooters" potential.

The Extraction Shooter Paradox

"This remains an enthusiast genre yet to meaningfully penetrate the mainstream market," explains Circana"s Mat Piscatella.

Developer Bungie recently unveiled gameplay for Marathon, its upcoming extraction shooter anticipated as the genre"s potential breakout title. Despite controversy over alleged asset plagiarism, early press impressions appear positive - unsurprising given Bungie"s pedigree with Halo and Destiny.

"If any studio could popularize this genre, it would be Bungie," Piscatella acknowledges.

Understanding Extraction Shooters

The genre blends PvP and PvE elements, dropping squads into hostile environments where they compete against both AI and players to complete objectives and extract resources. Escape From Tarkov pioneered this punishing formula during COVID-19 lockdowns.

Since Tarkov, genre attempts have met mixed success. Helldivers 2 stands out through cooperative focus, eliminating stressful PvP encounters. Circana data shows Helldivers 2 ranked eighth on Steam and thirty-fourth on PlayStation in April.

"Helldivers 2 represents this genre"s outlier success," Piscatella notes. "No other extraction shooter exceeded 2.3% player engagement across platforms."

The Mainstream Challenge

Compared to Fortnite or Call of Duty, extraction shooters remain marginal. However, Piscatella emphasizes the genre"s untapped potential: "Emerging genres typically require one breakthrough title - Guitar Hero transformed rhythm games just as Halo redefined console FPS."

Other extraction shooters include Deep Rock Galactic and Delta Force, though none approach battle royale popularity. Industry reluctance toward unproven genres persists, making Bungie"s Marathon gamble particularly notable.

Keys to Success

"Bungie"s reputation helps but guarantees nothing," cautions Piscatella. "Converting existing FPS players requires careful onboarding while keeping the series" accessible yet deep."

Current market conditions pose additional hurdles according to analysts: "Gamers cling to established titles with social hooks and free-to-play options, making new IP launches especially challenging."

The Marathon Experiment

Tarkov"s pandemic-era success creates uncertainty about the genre"s wider appeal. With Helldivers 2 as the sole breakout, Marathon faces intense scrutiny as the first major AAA extraction shooter attempt.

"The industry will watch closely," Piscatella predicts. "Strong performance could encourage publishers to embrace extraction shooters more boldly."