Sony indicates that the launch of Marathon is anticipated to occur "within this fiscal year" after experiencing an indefinite delay

Following a delay announced in June, concerns have been raised about Sony's game, Marathon, and the performance of its live service lineup. In a recent earnings call noted by Seeking Alpha, Lin Tao, Sony's CFO, explained that Marathon is on track for a release "within this fiscal year," but emphasized that this timeline is tentative.

Tao stated that by autumn, they anticipate being able to provide more details on Marathon's release. He added that while the launch is anticipated, adjustments to the game's valuation would be considered if the release is canceled, though this is not expected at present.

Regarding Bungie, the developer of Marathon and Destiny, Sony highlighted its growing integration into PlayStation Studios rather than operating as a standalone entity. Sony acquired Bungie in 2022 through a $3.6 billion agreement.

Tao remarked that Bungie initially enjoyed a high degree of independence post-acquisition, but restructuring efforts announced last year have started steering Bungie closer to PlayStation Studios, with plans for full integration over time.

Tao also touched on PlayStation's live service segment, acknowledging its instability, particularly in light of Concord's failure and termination last year. Previously, PlayStation Studios had limited involvement with live service games, but now features several titles like Helldivers 2, MLB, Gran Turismo 7, and Destiny 2 from Bungie that are contributing positively to sales and revenue.

He expressed that the transition in live services hasn't been entirely smooth but noted significant changes over a five-year span. Tao acknowledged persistent challenges and emphasized learning from past mistakes to enhance future live service content deployment.

In Sony's recent financial report, the company's PlayStation division posted a 137% boost in operating income for the first fiscal quarter. The Games and Network Services sector saw its operating income climb to ¥148 billion ($1 billion), driven by sales of non-first-party game titles, downloadable content, and network services.