Bungie has released the 1.1.5 update for Marathon, bringing a significant shift to the game's loop with the introduction of Vault Breaker. This experimental PvE mode is available for a two-week window, providing players a dedicated space to navigate the Cryo Archive map and its various puzzles without facing competing squads of players.
Quick Facts
- Update: 1.1.5
- New Content: Vault Breaker experimental PvE mode
- Platform: PC
- Key Changes: Cradle evolution, voice moderation, and reporting systems
The arrival of this mode has seen a notable impact on player activity. Following the update, SteamDB charts recorded over 14,800 concurrent players, the highest activity level since the free weekend in June and roughly triple the daily average observed over the previous week.
How Vault Breaker Changes the Loop
Vault Breaker functions as a roguelite alternative to the standard extraction experience. Unlike regular excursions, any gear scavenged during a Vault Breaker run is not retained. Instead, players collect Vault Data, a currency used to purchase persistent upgrades for their initial kit or to acquire gear that can be brought into standard extraction matches.
This mode is designed for players looking to engage with the game's setting and shooter mechanics without the anxiety typically associated with competitive extraction gameplay.
Cradle Upgrades and Community Moderation
Beyond the new PvE mode, update 1.1.5 introduces a prestige-style system for the Cradle upgrade mechanic. Players can now "evolve" a fully-leveled Cradle, resetting its progress in return for a higher energy limit, which enables the use of more simultaneous upgrades.
Bungie has also implemented updated voice moderation and reporting tools. These measures are intended to address toxicity within in-game chat, reflecting an effort to improve the quality of social interactions for the player base.