Marathon F2P Rumors Debunked; Pricing Reveal Set for Summer

Marathon will not be a free-to-play game but will be a premium title. Dive in to discover Marathon’s pricing strategy and the reasons behind the decision to exclude proximity chat.

Marathon Development Updates

Marathon Will Not Be Free-To-Play

The director of Marathon has officially confirmed that the game will not follow the free-to-play model but will instead be offered as a premium title. During a live gameplay showcase on April 13, hosted by Bungie, the developers of Marathon, the release date was announced alongside a new gameplay trailer. However, the price of the game remains undisclosed, sparking curiosity among fans about its monetization strategy.

In an episode of the Friends Per Second podcast on April 14, Marathon Director Joe Ziegler clarified, "We’re hoping that what we’re showing is exciting enough that someone is going to take the leap with us, but we are also committed to delivering on seasons past this that will continuously offer to evolve the game without an increase to the box price."

Ziegler expressed confidence in the game's current state of enjoyability and emphasized the team's commitment to enhancing the gaming experience. He noted, "Everyone’s got their own definition of what is the right price."

Speculation about Marathon's price has been rampant on social media, with fans sharing their predictions. Bungie addressed these rumors via a Twitter (X) post on April 13, stating that Marathon will not be a full-priced title but a premium one. The exact pricing details are slated to be revealed this summer.

Marathon Will Not Have Proximity Chat

Proximity chat, a feature allowing players to hear each other based on in-game proximity, has become a staple in many multiplayer games, enhancing immersion and interaction. However, it also introduces the risk of toxicity, as players may encounter both friendly and offensive comments.

This concern led Bungie to omit proximity chat from Marathon. In a recent interview with PC Gamer, Joe Ziegler explained the decision, saying, "When it comes to prox chat, I don't think we're against the experience of it, to be fair. I think the challenge is how to make sure we're creating a safe environment for players inside of that space."

Ziegler highlighted the team's dedication to fostering a safe gaming environment and noted the current lack of an effective solution to mitigate the toxicity associated with proximity chat. While this decision impacts the ability to interact with opposing teams and navigate maps in an extraction shooter like Marathon, Bungie has not found a satisfactory solution yet.

Ziegler concluded, "I think that's where we stand right now. Like, if it was magical and we could somehow come up with that solution, I think we totally would do it. But right now, it is a challenge that many companies are trying to figure out."

Marathon is scheduled for release on September 23, 2025, and will be available on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC. Stay updated with the latest news by checking out our article below!