Marathon Release Date Confirmed During Gameplay Reveal Showcase

Bungie, the acclaimed developer behind Destiny and Halo, has officially unveiled the release date for their eagerly awaited first-person extraction shooter, Marathon, during its gameplay reveal showcase. Dive into the details of what you can anticipate from the game and the upcoming Closed Alpha Playtest.

Marathon Coming on September 23

Returning to Tau Ceti

On April 13, Bungie presented a captivating gameplay reveal showcase for Marathon, their upcoming first-person extraction shooter. The game shifts its focus to multiplayer dynamics, where six teams of three players will battle not only each other but also AI-controlled enemies to secure valuable loot and successfully extract their finds.

This marks a significant departure from the original Marathon trilogy, which began with the 1994 release and continued with Marathon 2: Durandal in 1995 and Marathon Infinity in 1996. The original series was renowned for its immersive, single-player story-driven experience.

In a post on the PlayStation.blog dated April 12, Bungie developers delved into what players can expect from Marathon. Despite the shift to a multiplayer focus, Marathon Narrative Leader Jonathan Goff emphasized that the game would maintain the experiential storytelling that has defined Bungie's games.

Goff remarked, "The interweaving of narratives, events, and characters in the original trilogy created a world filled with discovery, wonder, and misdirection." He further explained, "Our goal with Marathon is not to simply tell a story, but to create worlds where stories can naturally unfold and evolve."

Making Marathon a "Story Engine"

The gameplay reveal showcased Marathon's strong focus 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 each map. However, Bungie stressed that accumulating wealth is not the sole objective of the game.

The developers aim for Marathon to serve as a "story engine", fostering memorable encounters and lasting memories, even when players fail missions or leave a map empty-handed. Marathon Game Director Joe Ziegler highlighted this approach in an interview with PC Gamer, stating, "What we're aiming for is to enable players to embark on adventures and experience that survival challenge, crafting their own survival stories. Some of the most compelling moments in gaming are born from failures or unexpected events." Ziegler underscored that survival isn't the only metric of success; a compelling story from a game session is just as valuable.

Working With Fans and Creators

Throughout Marathon's development, Bungie has actively collaborated with fans and content creators, integrating their feedback from the early stages. Players have been involved in playtesting early prototypes, providing crucial insights that have shaped the game's direction.

Feedback highlighted concerns about map fairness and unpredictability, such as the possibility of spawn camping or loot being taken before a team could reach it. In response, Ziegler explained, "After receiving this feedback, we shifted our design to ensure each match begins anew for everyone. This fresh start allows teams to strategize effectively before each run, racing against rival teams to claim the desired loot."

Marathon Closed Alpha Playtest

Bungie will launch the Closed Alpha Playtest for Marathon from April 23 to May 4. Participation is restricted to residents of the U.S. and Canada.

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

To join the playtest, interested players should visit the official Marathon Discord server, navigate to the alpha-access channel, and use the "/alpha" command to sign up. Note that invitations are not guaranteed, as this is the first public exposure of the game.

No further playtest announcements have been made for regions beyond the U.S. and Canada. Marathon is slated for release on September 23, 2025, and will be available on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC. Keep up with the latest updates on the game by checking out our article below!