Bungie quickly responded to criticism regarding the microtransaction system in its new game, Marathon, announcing an upcoming adjustment designed to streamline the in-game purchasing process for players. The studio revealed plans to implement changes to the game just days after its launch, detailing in initial patch notes that the fixes will arrive next week.
In a post on X/Twitter, Bungie explained that the amount of Lux currency players receive when purchasing a $10 package will soon be adjusted, increasing from 1100 to 1120 Lux. This change is significant because the current price of a Runner skin in the game is 1120 Lux, and that amount cannot be purchased directly from the store. Currently, players receive 1100 Lux for $10, which is 20 Lux short of the required amount, forcing them to spend an additional $5 for another 500 Lux – effectively the price of the larger $15 package.
IGN reported that the in-game transaction system in Marathon sparked widespread discontent within the player community, with some users accusing Bungie of employing deceptive tactics to generate revenue from the extraction shooter. In an effort to address the criticism, Bungie announced it will compensate players with 20 Lux for each $10 package purchased before the currency tier adjustment is applied.
However, criticism isn’t limited to the virtual currency tiers. The game’s $10 battle pass likewise faced sharp criticism for what players described as poor value, citing low-quality items and the lack of a mechanism to reclaim the featured currency through it.
Players also expressed dissatisfaction with the limited-edition decals that can be applied to weapons, as they cannot be used on all weapons within the game – a restriction some consider unwarranted for cosmetic items intended to provide players with greater customization freedom.
Bungie confirmed it is monitoring feedback regarding the cosmetic items in its new game, Marathon, and is considering ways to improve the experience. The developer stated in a brief release:
“We want to ensure that when a player spends money in Marathon, they sense they are getting real value, and we are currently discussing ways to improve this experience.”
