Marathon Release Date Unveiled at Gameplay Showcase

Bungie, the renowned developer behind Destiny and Halo, has officially announced the release date for their much-anticipated first-person extraction shooter, Marathon, during an exciting gameplay reveal showcase. Dive in to discover more about the game's features and the upcoming Closed Alpha Playtest.

Marathon Coming on September 23

Returning to Tau Ceti

On April 13, Bungie unveiled a gameplay showcase for Marathon, set to revolutionize the franchise with a focus on multiplayer strategies. In this game, six teams of three players will battle both each other and AI-controlled enemies, racing to secure loot and successfully extract it. This marks a significant shift from the original Marathon trilogy, which debuted with the first game in 1994, followed by Marathon 2: Durandal in 1995, and Marathon Infinity in 1996. These earlier titles were renowned for their story-driven, single-player experiences.

In a detailed PlayStation.blog post dated April 12, Bungie's developers outlined what players can anticipate from Marathon. Despite transitioning to a multiplayer focus, the team is committed to preserving the rich narrative tradition of Bungie games. Marathon Narrative Leader Jonathan Goff emphasized, "The interweaving of narratives, events, and characters in the original trilogy delivered a world of discovery, wonder, and misdirection." He further explained, "At the end of the day, our goal with Marathon is not to tell a story, but to build worlds in which stories can and will unfold."

Making Marathon a "Story Engine"

During the reveal stream, fans noticed the game's strong emphasis on in-game economy, with every item in a player's inventory having a sell price and clear indicators of what can be extracted from a map. However, Bungie clarified that accumulating wealth isn't the sole objective of Marathon.

The developers aim for Marathon to function as a "story engine," generating memorable encounters and lasting memories, even from failed missions or empty-handed exits. Marathon Game Director Joe Ziegler shared with PC Gamer, "What we're trying to do is say, 'how do you go on adventures and then feel that survival challenge, that survival story that you're making?'" He highlighted that the best survival stories often stem from failures or unexpected events, emphasizing that having a compelling story from a run is just as important as survivability.

Working With Fans and Creators

Throughout Marathon's development, Bungie has collaborated closely with fans and content creators. From the project's early stages, players have been involved in testing prototypes, providing invaluable feedback that has shaped the game's evolution.

A key piece of feedback was the initial maps feeling unfair and unpredictable, allowing for spawn camping and early loot grabs. In response, Ziegler explained, "After hearing this feedback, we moved to the design we have today, where each match is a fresh start for everyone. This consistent starting point means you and your teammates can better strategize before each run, and then you can race enemy teams to fight for the loot you’re looking for."

Marathon Closed Alpha Playtest

Bungie is set to launch a closed alpha playtest for Marathon from April 23 to May 4. Participation is limited to residents of the U.S. and Canada due to regional restrictions.

The closed alpha will introduce players to four distinct Runners: Blackbird, reminiscent of Destiny 2’s Warlock; Void, equipped with tactical invisibility; Locus, featuring a tactical shield; and Glitch, boasting exceptional mobility. Players will have the chance to explore three maps: Perimeter, a woodland setting for five crews (15 players), and Dire Marsh, a more expansive map accommodating six crews (18 players).

To join the playtest, visit Marathon's official Discord server, navigate to the alpha-access channel, and use the "/alpha" command to sign up. Keep in mind that an invitation to the closed alpha is not guaranteed, as this is the game's first public outing.

No further playtest announcements have been made for regions beyond the U.S. and Canada. Marathon is slated for release on September 23, 2025, across PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC. Stay tuned to our updates for the latest news on Marathon!