Marathon cheaters will be permanently banned by Bungie

Polygon

by Ford James

February 23, 2026

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Marathon cheaters will be permanently banned by Bungie

Bungie has announced a strict new policy for cheaters in its upcoming game *Marathon*: anyone caught cheating will be permanently banned immediately, with no second chances. This zero-tolerance approach marks a significant shift from other games like *Arc Raiders*, which uses a three-strike system, where first-time offenders are banned for 30 days, rising to a permanent ban after three offenses. Bungie’s decision reflects its commitment to maintaining a fair and secure gaming environment, emphasizing that cheating undermines the integrity of the game world and player trust. The company revealed technical details about how *Marathon* will combat cheating. The game employs server-side anti-cheat measures, including a fog-of-war mechanic to prevent hacks like “wall hacks” or “ESP cheats,” which reveal hidden items or enemy locations. Additionally, *Marathon* uses BattlEye, a popular anticheat service, and a high-performance networking model to ensure players can’t exploit server limitations for unfair advantages. These measures aim to create a level playing field where players’ skills, not hacks, determine success. Bungie’s engineering directors explained that the game’s design prioritizes fairness and precision in gameplay. The team emphasized the importance of trust between players and the game itself, ensuring that all information is accurate and secure. While Bungie hasn’t clarified whether bans will extend to hardware or IP addresses, the focus remains on maintaining a safe and enjoyable experience for all players. The blog post also highlighted features designed to enhance player experience, such as the ability to reconnect mid-run if a connection drops due to server issues, allowing players to resume their progress seamlessly. These details demonstrate Bungie’s dedication to addressing common frustrations in online FPS games while upholding strict anti-cheat policies to

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Originally published on Polygon on 2/23/2026