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
