Bungie’s latest experiment turns Marathon into a battle royale, and it’s a hit: ‘Free kit queue might be the most fun I’ve had so far’
Bungie is making Marathon’s duos queue a permanent feature following successful testing, with the addition set to arrive in Season 2. The experimental matchmaking option, which allows two players to squad together without requiring a third teammate, proved popular enough with players to warrant a permanent slot in the game’s rotation.
Since Marathon’s launch, Bungie has been testing various experimental matchmaking options to understand what features resonate with its playerbase. The success of the duos queue has validated this approach and demonstrates player demand for more flexible squad configurations beyond the standard three-person teams.
The developer is simultaneously testing additional experimental features in its “labs,” including a free kit queue mode. Initial community feedback has been positive, with players describing the free kit queue as some of the most enjoyable gameplay they’ve experienced in Marathon so far.
This iterative approach to live service development reflects Bungie’s strategy of using limited-time experimental modes to gather player feedback before committing features permanently. The promotion of duos to a standard queue and the ongoing testing of new modes suggests the developer is actively refining Marathon’s core playlist to better serve its audience.