Marathon F2P Rumors Debunked: Pricing Reveal Set for Summer

Marathon will not be a free-to-play game but will instead be a premium title. Dive deeper into Marathon’s pricing details and discover why the developers decided against including proximity chat.

Marathon Development Updates

Marathon Will Not Be Free-To-Play

Marathon's director has confirmed that the game will not follow the free-to-play model but will instead be a premium title. Bungie, the developer behind Marathon, showcased live gameplay on April 13, revealing the game's release date and a new trailer. However, the exact price remains under wraps, sparking curiosity among fans about the game's monetization strategy.

During an April 14 episode of the Friends Per Second podcast, Marathon Director Joe Ziegler clarified the game's pricing model. He stated, "We’re hoping that what we’re showing is exciting enough that someone is going to take the leap with us, but we are also committed to delivering on seasons past this that will continuously offer to evolve the game without an increase to the box price."

Ziegler expressed confidence in the game's current state and the team's dedication to making it exceptional. He added, "Everyone’s got their own definition of what is the right price."

Fan speculation about Marathon's price has been rampant, with many taking to social media to share their guesses. Bungie, however, took to Twitter (X) on April 13 to clarify that Marathon will be a premium title, not a full-priced one, with more pricing details to be announced this summer.

Marathon Will Not Have Proximity Chat

Proximity chat, a feature that allows players to hear each other based on their in-game proximity, has become increasingly popular in multiplayer games. It adds a layer of immersion and interactivity. Yet, it also brings the risk of toxic behavior, as players can encounter both friendly and offensive remarks.

Bungie decided against including proximity chat in Marathon to maintain a safe gaming environment. In a recent PC Gamer interview, Ziegler explained, "When it comes to prox chat, I don't think we're against the experience of it, to be fair. I think the challenge is how to make sure we're creating a safe environment for players inside of that space."

Ziegler emphasized the team's commitment to player safety and admitted that they currently lack a solution to mitigate the toxicity that proximity chat can introduce. This decision, while ensuring a safer environment, does reduce the potential for strategic interactions with opposing teams, which could be particularly impactful in an extraction shooter like Marathon.

Bungie continues to seek a perfect solution for proximity chat but, for now, it will not be included in the game. Ziegler noted, "I think that's where we stand right now. Like, if it was magical and we could somehow come up with that solution, I think we totally would do it. But right now, it is a challenge that many companies are trying to figure out."

Marathon is scheduled for release on September 23, 2025, on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC. Keep an eye on our site for the latest updates on the game!