Bungie’s upcoming extraction shooter, Marathon, is positioning itself as a stricter alternative to Arc Raiders when it comes to anti-cheat measures. Since early player tests last year, Marathon has often been compared to Arc Raiders, but the latest updates show that Bungie is prioritizing fair play and account security more aggressively.
In a blog post ahead of its server slam scheduled for February 26, Bungie confirmed that any player caught cheating in Marathon will receive a permanent ban without exception. “Anyone found to be cheating will be permabanned from playing Marathon forever, no second chances,” the studio wrote. This approach contrasts with Arc Raiders, which currently uses a progressive three-strike ban system. Arc Raiders’ model begins with shorter bans and escalates to a permanent suspension for repeat offenders, meaning some players may continue to exploit the game before facing the strictest penalties.
Server-Side Measures to Reduce Exploits
Bungie is not only enforcing stricter penalties but is also introducing technical systems designed to prevent cheating before it affects other players. Marathon will use a “new server authority model” that automatically rejects invalid client actions, aiming to stop common exploits like teleporting, unlimited ammo, or manipulated damage values. By prioritizing server-side control, the game reduces reliance on client validation, a method often targeted by hackers.
The game will also implement a “fog of war” system that limits the information players can access about the map and the location of opponents or items. This is intended to prevent wall hacks and other forms of location-based cheating. Additional safeguards include client-side security upgrades and a telemetry-driven backend system that monitors suspicious behavior patterns. Players who disconnect or experience crashes will be able to recover lost loot, addressing a common frustration in extraction shooters.
Addressing Economic and Item Duplication Issues
Resource management is a key mechanic in extraction shooters, and item duplication or economic exploits can undermine the intended gameplay. Bungie has stated that Marathon will actively protect player progress and inventories, aiming to prevent duplication glitches or other forms of cheating that could affect the in-game economy. While this approach signals a proactive stance, it remains to be seen how well these systems will perform once the game is live and exposed to large-scale multiplayer interactions.
Comparing Anti-Cheat Approaches
Arc Raiders continues to face complaints about active cheating, including duplication glitches and exploits that allow players to spawn hatches to escape defeat. Although the development team has taken steps to address these issues, enforcement has been gradual, leaving room for repeat offenders. Marathon’s one-strike ban policy is a departure from this cautious approach, aiming to provide a cleaner competitive environment from the outset.
While Bungie’s systems show promise, anti-cheat measures are rarely perfect at launch. Past experiences with Destiny 2 illustrate that even major studios must continually update and refine their defenses to maintain fair play. Marathon’s success in combating cheating will ultimately depend on how these policies and systems hold up in practice.
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is Marathon’s approach to cheating?
Marathon uses a one-strike policy where any player caught cheating will be permanently banned from the game.
How does Marathon prevent exploits during gameplay?
The game uses a server authority model to reject invalid client actions and implements a fog of war system to limit map and player location visibility, helping prevent common cheats.
How does Marathon compare to Arc Raiders in terms of bans?
Arc Raiders employs a progressive three-strike system, where initial infractions result in temporary bans and repeat offenses eventually lead to a permanent ban. Marathon’s approach is stricter, banning cheaters immediately.
Will players lose progress if they crash or disconnect?
No. Bungie has stated that loot and progress will be recoverable if a player experiences an accidental disconnect or crash.
How does Marathon protect against item duplication?
The game includes systems designed to safeguard player inventories and the in-game economy, aiming to prevent duplication glitches and other economic exploits.
When will these anti-cheat measures go live?
Marathon’s server slam implementing these systems is scheduled for February 26, 2026.
