'We Needed To Do Something That Would Subvert Expectations': An Interview With Ryan Lott And Chase Combs About Marathon's Incredible Soundtrack

April 9, 2026 - 10:07

The sonic landscape of Bungie's upcoming extraction shooter, Marathon, is shaping up to be as distinctive and intense as its gameplay. In a recent discussion, composers Ryan Lott and Chase Combs opened up about their mission to defy conventional video game music tropes and craft a truly unique auditory identity for the title.

"We needed to do something that would subvert expectations," Lott stated, emphasizing a deliberate move away from traditional, orchestral sci-fi scores. The goal was to create a sound that felt both alien and visceral, mirroring the game's tense, high-stakes atmosphere on the lost colony of Tau Ceti IV.

The collaboration's breakthrough moment came early. Combs recalled the instant he knew their creative partnership was destined for success. About ten seconds into an early draft of a track called Code Race, which was the second piece he’d submitted, he observed, "I had a massive shit-eating grin because I knew we had something special."

This philosophy has resulted in a soundtrack built from unconventional sources. The composers utilize heavily processed field recordings, synthetic textures, and organic performances run through complex audio manipulations. The sound is often abrasive, rhythmic, and unsettling, designed to keep players on edge, reflecting the perpetual danger and uncertainty their runners face. It’s music that doesn’t just accompany the action but actively deepens the sense of immersion and tension in this abandoned world.