Marathon Release Date Unveiled at Gameplay Showcase

Bungie, the renowned developer behind Destiny and Halo, has officially announced the release date for their highly anticipated game, Marathon, during a captivating gameplay reveal showcase. Dive into the details of what to expect from the game and get ready for the Marathon Closed Alpha Playtest.

Marathon Coming on September 23

Returning to Tau Ceti

On April 13, Bungie unveiled the gameplay of their upcoming first-person extraction shooter, Marathon. This multiplayer-focused title pits six teams of three players against each other and AI-controlled enemies in a race to secure and extract valuable loot. This marks a significant shift from the original Marathon trilogy, which comprised story-driven, single-player experiences released in 1994 (Marathon), 1995 (Marathon 2: Durandal), and 1996 (Marathon Infinity).

In a detailed PlayStation.blog post dated April 12, Bungie's developers shed light on what players can anticipate from Marathon. Despite the new multiplayer emphasis, Marathon Narrative Leader Jonathan Goff emphasized maintaining the experiential storytelling that has defined Bungie's games. "The interweaving of narratives, events, and characters in the original trilogy delivered a world of discovery, wonder, and misdirection," Goff explained. "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 observed a strong focus on in-game economics, with every item in a player's inventory having a sell price and clear indicators of what can be extracted. However, Bungie stressed that accumulating wealth is just one aspect of the game. Marathon aims to be a "story engine," crafting memorable encounters and lasting memories, even if a mission ends in failure or players leave empty-handed. Marathon Game Director Joe Ziegler told 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?' Some of the best survival stories and moments I've had in gaming are actually failures or weird things that have happened, right?" Ziegler highlighted that success in Marathon is not solely about survival, but about creating a compelling narrative from each run.

Working With Fans and Creators

Bungie has actively collaborated with fans and content creators during Marathon's development. From the game's early stages, players have been involved in playtesting prototypes and providing crucial feedback. One key piece of feedback was the unpredictability and unfairness of map designs, where players could camp spawns or find that desired loot had already been taken. In response, 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 conduct a closed alpha playtest for Marathon from April 23 to May 4, exclusively for residents of the U.S. and Canada. Participants will have the opportunity to try out four different Runners: Blackbird (akin to Destiny 2's Warlock), Void (with tactical invisibility), Locus (with a tactical shield), and Glitch (known for exceptional mobility). The alpha will feature three maps: Perimeter, a woodland area for five crews (15 players), and Dire Marsh, a more open map for six crews (18 players).

To join the playtest, interested players should 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 is not guaranteed, as this is the game's first public outing. No further playtests have been announced for regions beyond the U.S. and Canada.

Marathon is scheduled for release on September 23, 2025, and will be available on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC. Stay tuned for more updates and information about the game.