Marathon Release Date Unveiled at Gameplay Event

Bungie, the renowned developer behind Destiny and Halo, has officially announced the release date for their highly anticipated first-person extraction shooter, Marathon, during a captivating gameplay reveal showcase. Dive into the details of what to expect in the game and learn about the upcoming Marathon Closed Alpha Playtest.

Marathon Coming on September 23

Returning to Tau Ceti

On April 13, Bungie unveiled the gameplay for Marathon, marking a significant shift from the original trilogy released between 1994 and 1996. The new Marathon is set in the Tau Ceti system and focuses on multiplayer dynamics, pitting six teams of three players against each other and AI-controlled enemies in a race to secure and extract valuable loot.

The original Marathon games were renowned for their immersive, story-driven single-player experiences. However, Bungie's Narrative Leader, Jonathan Goff, emphasized in a PlayStation.blog post on April 12 that the new Marathon aims to preserve the storytelling essence that has defined Bungie's games. Goff stated, "The interweaving of narratives, events, and characters in the original trilogy delivered a world of discovery, wonder, and misdirection. 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 indications of what can be extracted from a map. Yet, Bungie's vision for Marathon extends beyond mere wealth accumulation. Game Director Joe Ziegler, in a recent interview with PC Gamer, articulated the game's aim to serve as a "story engine," creating memorable experiences and lasting stories, even in the face of mission failures or empty-handed exits.

Ziegler elaborated, "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?" This approach underscores that success in Marathon isn't solely about surviving but also about crafting compelling narratives from each gameplay session.

Working With Fans and Creators

Throughout Marathon's development, Bungie has actively collaborated with fans and content creators, incorporating their feedback from the early stages. One key issue raised was the unpredictability and perceived unfairness of the maps, where players could camp spawns or find their targeted loot already claimed. Responding to this, Ziegler explained, "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 launch the 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 explore four distinct Runners: Blackbird, reminiscent of Destiny 2’s Warlock; Void, with tactical invisibility; Locus, equipped with a tactical shield; and Glitch, boasting superior mobility. The alpha will feature three diverse maps: Perimeter, a woodland setting for five crews (15 players), and Dire Marsh, an open environment 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. 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. Stay tuned for more updates and insights by checking out our related articles below!