Marathon fans can download a big new update for the extraction shooter on PS5, Xbox Series X|S and PC via Steam. Marathon update 1.06 is accompanied by a period of server downtime, although the maintenance is only expected to last for about an hour, so the game should be back online by 5pm BST in the UK on April 14. The downtime gives fans the chance to download and install the mid-season update, which makes a variety of balance changes, adds new content and lots more.

The news was announced by Marathon developer Bungie, complete with an idea about what fans can expect.

“Marathon’s first midseason update delivers balance and progression updates, new equipment and rewards, and a new initiative to support solo Runners and crews,” Bungie explains.

The update also introduces the new C.A.R.R.I. protocol, which is a new mission that rewards both solo Runners and coordinated crews for completing contract objectives and exfiling together.

According to Bungie, the rewards should benefit new and mid-level players, while also providing incentives for high-level fans.

As you can see from the patch notes below, the Marathon update also adds earnable Arachne shell styles, an expanded Rewards Pass, buffs to the Recon shell and more.

Marathon update 1.06 mid-season patch notes…

General

• ONI has launched the C.A.R.R.I. or CyberAcme Runner Reinforcement Initiative, a new protocol that rewards both solo Runners and coordinated Crews for completing contract objectives and exfiling together.

– CyberAcme Commendations are a new material earned by helping crewmates complete contract objectives, completing contract objectives as a solo Runner, or successfully exfiling as a Rook.

– Extra commendations can be earned when you exfil with other players outside of your Crew. Play nice, now.

– Added Stay Together, a new end-of-run experimental feature that allows you to stay with the Runners you just successfully exfiled with by creating a new Crew with them.

– Only one crewmate needs to successfully exfil for Stay Together to be available – if you’re eliminated, stay connected!

• Added the capability to access the Rewards Pass from the top left display of SILK.

• We want to increase the value of the Rewards Pass, both the Free and Premium tracks.

– As a result, we are adding 4 New Runner Shell styles, a WSTR Shotgun style, and a profile emblem to the Season 1 Rewards Pass:

– Premium Track: Thief, Assassin, Destroyer

– Free Track: Recon, WSTR Shotgun, Profile Emblem

• Fixed an issue where the rank up rewards tutorial could be out of sequence.

• Disciples of Arachne earnable shell styles are now available in the Codex.

• Updated the Perimeter new player map to now be a solos-only map that remains available to players until Seasonal Level 12.

– The Perimeter (Beginner) map presents a reduced risk of encountering other Runners.

• Added five new contracts for the Perimeter (Beginner) map.

– New and existing players under Seasonal Level 12 will also have access to new optional CyberAcme contracts tailored for the beginner experience to help with their first steps in Marathon.

– To help players understand the mechanics around the Perimeter Beginner contracts, these new contracts can only be progressed while in Perimeter Beginner or Perimeter Solo Runs.

– These contracts are no longer accessible after reaching Seasonal Level 12 and will be removed even if decrypted or active.

• When the final exfil is active and there are less than 10 seconds remaining, the timer for other exfils will be reduced to match the remaining session timer. Tie goes to the Runner, after all.

• Increased runner level and faction reputation earning for solo players.

• Increased standard contract faction reputation rewards for all players.

• The C.A.R.R.I. Armory allows you to spend CyberAcme Commendations for Salvage Crates that grant a random stack of Salvage items or Reputation Packs that provide reputation for their associated faction.

• Salvage Crate and Sponsored Kit stock refreshes daily while other C.A.R.R.I. offers do not refresh and can only be purchased once.

• Pacesetter Codex challenges focus on collaborative objectives and award the new Pacesetter title. These challenges are a permanent addition and can be completed in future seasons.

• Fixed an issue where the “Up here!” Vandal challenge would not complete at certain kill distances.

• Fixed an issue where the “Safe!” Vandal challenge would not complete under certain circumstances.

• Fixed an issue where the “Life Taker” Thief challenge description did not specify the correct requirements.

• Fixed an issue where the “Trifecta” Recon challenge wouldn’t not properly handle both downing and eliminating a runner.

• Fixed an issue where the “Where there’s smoke” Destroyer challenge was not completing under certain circumstances.

• Fixed an issue with the Compiler lore image not being displayed.

• Fixed an issue with the Cryo Archive collectible lore images not being displayed.

• Fixed an issue where the “Requiem for a Cyborg” codex challenge name was being displayed instead of Requiem for a Compiler.

• Players are no longer prevented from claiming completed contracts in the lobby if they’ve selected Rook.

• Fixed multiple bugs where contract progress was being prevented or not properly sharing progress across crew members.

• Slightly improved audio clarity of enemy footsteps at close and mid range.

• Players are now more resistant to fall damage while downed.

• Fixed an issue where the player reticle could swing wildly after a finisher if the player continued to provide look input during the finisher animation.