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 this article to discover more about what awaits in the game and the details of the upcoming Marathon Closed Alpha Playtest.

Marathon Coming on September 23

Returning to Tau Ceti

On April 13, Bungie unveiled a gameplay reveal showcase for their upcoming first-person extraction shooter, Marathon. Set in the universe of Tau Ceti, the game shifts its focus to multiplayer dynamics, where six teams of three players will engage in thrilling combat against each other and AI-controlled enemies to secure valuable loot and successfully extract items.

This represents a significant shift from the original Marathon trilogy. The first game, released in 1994, was followed by Marathon 2: Durandal in 1995, and Marathon Infinity in 1996. These were all story-driven, single-player focused experiences.

In a detailed PlayStation.blog post dated April 12, Bungie developers shed light on the new direction for Marathon. Despite the transition to a multiplayer focus, Marathon Narrative Leader Jonathan Goff emphasized that the game would maintain the experiential storytelling that has been a hallmark of Bungie's games.

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

Making Marathon a "Story Engine"

During the reveal stream, fans observed a strong emphasis on in-game economics, with every item in the players' inventory having a sell price and clear visuals indicating what can be extracted from each map. However, Bungie clarified that accumulating wealth is not the sole focus of the game.

The developers aim for Marathon to serve as a "story engine," generating memorable encounters and lasting impressions, even if players fail a mission or leave the map empty-handed. In an interview with PC Gamer, Marathon Game Director Joe Ziegler explained their vision for the game.

He remarked, "We're striving to craft adventures that evoke a sense of survival and challenge, where the stories you create are as important as the missions you complete. Some of the most memorable moments in gaming often come from failures or unexpected events." Ziegler emphasized that success in Marathon is not solely about surviving, but about crafting a compelling narrative from each run.

Working With Fans and Creators

Throughout the development of Marathon, Bungie has actively collaborated with fans and content creators. From the early stages, even before entering full production, players were invited to test early prototypes and provided valuable feedback.

One piece of feedback highlighted that the maps felt unfair and unpredictable, with players able to camp spawns indefinitely or find that the loot they sought had already been taken. In response, Ziegler explained, "After receiving this feedback, we refined our design to ensure each match starts fresh for everyone. This allows players and their teams to strategize effectively before each run and race against other teams for the desired loot."

Marathon Closed Alpha Playtest

Bungie will commence its alpha playtest for Marathon from April 23 to May 4. This playtest is region-restricted, available only to residents of the U.S. and Canada.

The closed alpha will introduce four unique Runners for players to experiment with: Blackbird, akin to Destiny 2’s Warlock; Void, featuring tactical invisibility; Locus, equipped with a tactical shield; and Glitch, renowned for its exceptional mobility. Players will have access to three maps, including Perimeter, a woodland setting for five crews (15 players), and Dire Marsh, a more expansive map for six crews (18 players).

To participate, players should join the official Marathon Discord server, navigate to the alpha-access channel, and use the "/alpha" command to sign up. Keep in mind that this is a closed alpha, and receiving an invitation is not guaranteed as it marks 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!