Marathon Release Date Unveiled at Gameplay Showcase

Bungie, the acclaimed developer behind Destiny and Halo, has officially announced the release date for their highly anticipated game, Marathon, during an engaging gameplay reveal showcase. Dive in to discover more about the game's features and the upcoming Closed Alpha Playtest.

Marathon Coming on September 23

Returning to Tau Ceti

On April 13, Bungie unveiled the gameplay for their new first-person extraction shooter, Marathon. This multiplayer-focused game will see six teams of three players battling not only each other but also AI-controlled adversaries to secure valuable loot and execute successful extractions.

This marks a significant shift from the original Marathon trilogy. Released between 1994 and 1996, the earlier games were renowned for their rich, single-player narratives. Marathon, Marathon 2: Durandal, and Marathon Infinity each offered players a deep dive into story-driven gameplay.

In a detailed post on the PlayStation.blog dated April 12, Bungie's developers shed light on what players can anticipate in Marathon. Despite moving towards a multiplayer-centric model, Marathon Narrative Leader Jonathan Goff emphasized maintaining the experiential storytelling that has become a Bungie trademark.

Goff remarked, "The interweaving of narratives, events, and characters in the original trilogy delivered a world of discovery, wonder, and misdirection." He further noted, "Our goal with Marathon is not just to tell a story, but to build worlds where stories naturally 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 clarified that accumulating wealth isn't the sole objective of the game.

The developers aim for Marathon to serve as a "story engine," fostering memorable encounters and lasting experiences, even in the face of mission failures or empty-handed exits. Marathon Game Director Joe Ziegler, in a recent interview with PC Gamer, elaborated on this vision.

He stated, "We're aiming to create adventures where players feel the thrill of survival and the richness of the stories they create. Some of the most compelling survival stories in gaming stem from failures or unexpected events." Ziegler emphasized that success in Marathon isn't solely about survival but about crafting a compelling narrative from each run.

Working With Fans and Creators

Throughout Marathon's development, Bungie has actively collaborated with fans and content creators. From the game's inception, players have been involved in playtesting early prototypes, providing crucial feedback that has shaped the game's evolution.

One key piece of feedback was the feeling that maps were unfair and unpredictable, with issues like spawn camping and pre-empted loot grabs. In response, Ziegler explained, "We've adjusted our design so that each match offers a fresh start for all players. This ensures a level playing field, allowing teams to strategize effectively before each run and compete fairly for desired loot."

Marathon Closed Alpha Playtest

Bungie is set to launch a Closed Alpha Playtest for Marathon from April 23 to May 4, exclusively for residents of the U.S. and Canada.

The alpha will introduce four distinct Runners for players to experiment with: Blackbird, akin to 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 map for six crews (18 players).

To participate, players should join Marathon's official Discord server, navigate to the alpha-access channel, and use the "/alpha" command to register. Keep in mind that this is a closed alpha, and receiving an invitation is not guaranteed as it's 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 for more updates by checking out our related articles!