Marathon Release Date Confirmed During Gameplay Reveal Showcase

Bungie, the renowned developer behind Destiny and Halo, has officially announced the release date for their upcoming first-person extraction shooter, Marathon, during a captivating gameplay reveal showcase. Dive in to discover what awaits in the game and details about the upcoming Closed Alpha Playtest.

Marathon Coming on September 23

Returning to Tau Ceti

On April 13, Bungie unveiled the gameplay of their much-anticipated title, Marathon. This game takes players back to the universe of Tau Ceti, but with a fresh twist. Unlike its predecessors, Marathon is designed as a multiplayer-focused experience where six teams of three players will battle against each other and AI enemies to secure loot and successfully extract valuable items.

This represents a significant shift from the original Marathon series, which debuted in 1994 with Marathon, followed by Marathon 2: Durandal in 1995, and concluded with Marathon Infinity in 1996. These earlier games were renowned for their rich, single-player narratives.

In a recent PlayStation.blog post dated April 12, Bungie's developers shared insights into what players can expect from Marathon. Despite the transition to a multiplayer-centric format, Marathon Narrative Leader Jonathan Goff emphasized that the game will retain the immersive storytelling that has been a signature of Bungie’s work.

Goff remarked, "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, it was clear that Marathon places a significant emphasis on in-game economy, with every item in a player's inventory having a sell price and a clear indication of what can be extracted from each map. However, Bungie clarified that accumulating wealth isn't the sole focus of the game.

The developers aim for Marathon to serve as a "story engine," where memorable battles and lasting experiences can emerge even from failed missions or empty-handed exits. Marathon Game Director Joe Ziegler highlighted this vision in a recent interview with PC Gamer, stating, "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?' Some of the best survival stories and moments I've had in gaming are actually failures or weird things that have happened, right?" Ziegler's goal is to ensure that players can craft compelling stories from their runs, regardless of whether they succeed or fail.

Working With Fans and Creators

Throughout Marathon's development, Bungie has actively collaborated with fans and content creators. Even in the game's early stages, players were invited to test prototypes and provide crucial feedback.

One key piece of feedback was about the unpredictability and perceived unfairness of some maps, where players could camp spawns indefinitely, or desired loot might already be taken. Responding to this, Ziegler shared, "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, running from April 23 to May 4. Participation is limited to residents of the U.S. and Canada.

The alpha will introduce players to four unique Runners: Blackbird, akin to Destiny 2’s Warlock; Void, equipped with tactical invisibility; Locus, featuring a tactical shield; and Glitch, known for exceptional mobility. Players can explore three different maps: Perimeter, a woodland setting for five crews (15 players), and Dire Marsh, a more expansive area for six crews (18 players).

To join the Closed Alpha, interested players should visit Marathon's official Discord server, navigate to the alpha-access channel, and use the "/alpha" command. However, keep in mind that this is a closed alpha, and an invitation is not guaranteed as it's the first public exposure of the game.

No announcements have been made regarding additional playtests outside the specified regions. Marathon is slated for release on September 23, 2025, and will be available on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC. Stay tuned to our articles for the latest updates on this exciting title!