After the recent Marathon Server Slam, players have a lot to say about the game’s readability, especially when it comes to its menus. Many are calling it “Fontslop,” a term made popular by content creator Kelski. They noted how the contracts page had a chaotic mix of fonts, sizes, and styles, making it hard to read. Kelski tweeted, “Marathon has like 20 different combinations of fonts on one page. It’s an absolute eyesore!”
Others echoed this sentiment. Ninja, another well-known gamer, described the menus as “hands down one of the most complex” he had ever encountered. Frustration is everywhere as players struggle to navigate through the bold design choices.
However, not everyone shares these concerns. Some fans appreciate the artistic direction of the UI. A player named Podawful countered, saying, “Gamers call it Fontslop just because they’re not used to something visually appealing.” This highlights a divide in opinion among gamers about what makes a UI good or bad.
Elliot Gray, the UI designer for Marathon, chimed in on the debate. He humorously updated his bio to include ‘fontslop merchant’ but also assured players that his team is taking their feedback seriously. He mentioned, “There’s plenty of work we can and will do regarding navigation and info density, but don’t think for a second that we’re going to remove the SAUCE from the UI.” His dedication to keeping the unique style while improving usability shows his commitment to the players.
Interestingly, this discussion about menu complexity isn’t new. Back in the early 2000s, many games also faced scrutiny for complicated interfaces. For instance, the original World of Warcraft underwent redesigns after player feedback on its UI. It’s a reminder that even well-loved games have had to adapt to player needs over time.
So, what do you think about Marathon’s menu design? Is it a bold step forward, or simply confusing? If you’d like more insights, Eurogamer recently published a preview that explores more aspects of the game. You can check it out for a closer look at what Bungie has in store.
