Marathon developer Bungie has officially announced the release date for the highly anticipated game during its gameplay reveal showcase. Dive deeper to discover what you can expect from the game and how to participate in the upcoming Marathon Closed Alpha Playtest.
Marathon Coming on September 23
Returning to Tau Ceti
Bungie, renowned for Destiny and Halo, unveiled a gameplay reveal showcase on April 13 for their upcoming first-person extraction shooter, Marathon. This game pivots to a multiplayer-centric approach, where six teams of three players vie against each other and AI-controlled adversaries to secure and extract valuable loot.
This marks a significant shift from the original Marathon trilogy, which consisted of story-driven, single-player experiences. The first game, Marathon, launched in 1994, followed by Marathon 2: Durandal in 1995, and Marathon Infinity in 1996.
In a PlayStation.blog post dated April 12, Bungie developers shed light on what players can anticipate in Marathon. Despite the transition to multiplayer, Marathon Narrative Leader Jonathan Goff emphasized retaining the experiential storytelling that has been a staple of Bungie's games.
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"
The gameplay reveal highlighted a strong focus on in-game economy, with every item in a player's inventory having a monetary value and clear indications of what can be extracted. However, Bungie clarified that accumulating wealth is not the sole objective of Marathon.
The developers aim to transform Marathon into a "story engine", fostering memorable encounters and lasting experiences, even in the face of mission failures or exiting a map empty-handed. Marathon Game Director Joe Ziegler, in a recent PC Gamer interview, elaborated on this vision.
He stated, "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 stressed that success in Marathon is not solely about survival but about crafting a compelling narrative from each run.
Working With Fans and Creators
Throughout the development of Marathon, Bungie has collaborated closely with fans and content creators. From the game's early stages, even before full production, players have been involved in playtesting prototypes, providing crucial feedback.
A key piece of feedback was the perceived unfairness and unpredictability of the maps, where players could camp spawn points indefinitely, or desired loot could already be claimed. In response, Ziegler noted, "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 host a closed alpha playtest for Marathon from April 23 to May 4. Participation is limited to residents of the U.S. and Canada.
The closed alpha will introduce players to four distinct Runners: Blackbird, reminiscent of Destiny 2’s Warlock; Void, equipped with tactical invisibility; Locus, featuring a tactical shield; and Glitch, known for exceptional mobility. Players will have access to three 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 playtest, interested players should navigate to the official Marathon Discord server, access the alpha-access channel, and use the "/alpha" command to register. Note that invitations are not guaranteed, as this marks the game's initial public exposure.
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 an eye on our updates for the latest news on Marathon!
