Marathon Director Joe Ziegler Departs Bungie

Marathon's director Joe Ziegler has announced he's departing Bungie, just four months after the game launched.

In a post on X, the departing director said he wrapped up work on the 17th of July, and will hand over the reins of the game to Del Chafe III, who will work with Julia Nardin, the game's creative director.

"I just want to say a deeply heartfelt thank you[...] The mission will continue in new and surprising ways so stay tuned for what the team has in store for you." --Joe Ziegler, X

Joe's departure means the ex-director will not see out the release of the mid-season patch for the futuristic sci-fi extraction shooter's second season, which releases tomorrow. The patch will see Marathon's first "experimental" PvE mode, Vault Breaker, releasing alongside it. Bungie has also announced that a "full" PvE mode will launch with the game's upcoming season, slated for September.

The former Valorant director joined the studio late in the extraction shooter's development, following former director Christopher Barrett departed the studio following some controversial allegations of inappropriate conduct towards female staff members.

PC Gamer reported that the case was dismissed in court, and Sony, Bungie, and Barrett settling the $200 million lawsuit, with the jettisoned director saying he was "very satisfied" with the terms of his settlement.

We'll be here to cover the mid-season patch, and check out Vault Breaker, this week here on Level Up Times.