Marathon Release Date Unveiled at Gameplay Showcase

Bungie, the 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 the details of what to expect from this thrilling first-person extraction shooter and learn about the upcoming Closed Alpha Playtest.

Marathon Coming on September 23

Returning to Tau Ceti

On April 13, Bungie unveiled the gameplay for Marathon, their upcoming first-person extraction shooter. Set in the universe of Tau Ceti, the game shifts from the single-player focus of its predecessors to a dynamic multiplayer experience. In Marathon, six teams of three players will compete against each other and AI-controlled adversaries, battling to secure valuable loot and successfully extract from the map.

This marks a significant evolution from the original Marathon trilogy, which began with the release of the first game in 1994, followed by Marathon 2: Durandal in 1995, and concluded with Marathon Infinity in 1996. These earlier titles were renowned for their deep, narrative-driven single-player experiences.

In a recent PlayStation.blog post dated April 12, Bungie's developers provided insights into the new direction of Marathon. Despite the shift to multiplayer, Marathon Narrative Leader Jonathan Goff emphasized the game's commitment to Bungie's tradition of experiential storytelling. "The interweaving of narratives, events, and characters in the original trilogy delivered a world of discovery, wonder, and misdirection," Goff stated. 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"

During the reveal stream, it became evident that Marathon places a significant emphasis on in-game economy, with every item in a player's inventory carrying a sell price and clear indicators of extractable items. However, Bungie clarified that accumulating wealth is not the sole focus of the game.

The developers aim to transform Marathon into a "story engine," where every mission, whether successful or not, contributes to creating memorable experiences and lasting stories. Marathon Game Director Joe Ziegler shared with PC Gamer that the game seeks to capture the essence of survival challenges. "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 emphasized that success in Marathon is not solely about survival but about crafting a compelling narrative from each run.

Working With Fans and Creators

Throughout Marathon's development, Bungie has actively engaged with fans and content creators, incorporating their feedback from the earliest stages. Early playtests revealed concerns about map design feeling unfair and unpredictable, with issues such as spawn camping and loot scarcity. 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 launch a 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 Runner classes: Blackbird, similar to Destiny 2’s Warlock; Void, offering tactical invisibility; Locus, equipped with a tactical shield; and Glitch, known for exceptional mobility. The alpha will include three diverse maps: Perimeter, a woodland setting for five crews (15 players), and Dire Marsh, a more open environment for six crews (18 players).

To join the Closed Alpha, players can visit Marathon's official Discord server, navigate to the alpha-access channel, and use the "/alpha" command to register their interest. However, as this is a closed alpha, participation is not guaranteed. Bungie will notify selected players for the playtest.

No further playtest announcements have been made for regions outside the U.S. and Canada. Marathon is scheduled for release on September 23, 2025, and will be available on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC. Stay tuned for more updates on this exciting title by checking out our latest articles!