This weekend introduces a new competitive experience in Marathon, a game mode meticulously prepared to offer a more challenging environment after players have spent time mastering the basics. The update is part of a deliberate strategy to provide more intricate options once the community became comfortable with the standard gameplay.
At its inception in early March, Marathon appeared somewhat minimal. This was an intentional design choice by the developers, who planned to unveil more demanding features as players progressed. Recently, Cryo Archive was incorporated into Marathon, and now, Ranked is set to debut this weekend.
The debut weekend for Ranked is scheduled to begin on March 21 at 5:00 PM GMT (6:00 PM CET) and will continue until the same time on March 24. This inaugural season of Ranked is being classified as a beta version, which means some mechanics may feel unconventional as they fine-tune the experience.
The new mode functions similarly to a contract system where competitors accept specific Holotag items, each assigned a distinct value. Your objective is to gather loot that matches the assigned value before making a safe extraction, thereby earning points. The system allows players to wager different amounts to tailor the pace at which they climb the ranking ladder. Key essentials include:
- Accepting valued Holotag items.
- Acquiring corresponding loot to meet the set value.
- Extracting successfully to secure points.
- Choosing between varying levels of risk to increase rank.
The ranking system is composed of several tiers and subdivisions. There are six main divisions—Bronze, Silver, Gold, Platinum, Diamond, and Pinnacle—with each tier subdivided into three sections. Your final position "inside each level as it reaches its final phase" season will influence your rewards, which span from weapon styles and titles to alterations of character shells and background themes. Each season brings its own unique set of accolades.
Eligibility for participation in Ranked is straightforward: players must simply reach level 25.
Regarding the scoring system, your chosen Holotag is pivotal in determining your final score. If the required loot value is not met or gear is lost during the match, penalties will be applied accordingly.
Matches are scheduled to be held over the coming weekend on the Perimeter map and only include a Low Stakes Queue. This initial setting is designed To enable players to get fully acquainted with the mechanics of the mode. Future weekends are expected to offer a High Stakes Queue as well, where a higher degree of investment is required, including the usage of Platinum-rank Holotags and gear with a set minimum value. The decision to embrace this added level of risk is left entirely to the players.