Marathon F2P Rumors Debunked; Pricing Reveal Set for Summer

Marathon will not be a free-to-play game but will instead be offered as a premium title. Dive deeper into the reasons behind this decision and learn why the developers have chosen to forego proximity chat.

Marathon Development Updates

Marathon Will Not Be Free-To-Play

Marathon Director has officially confirmed that the game will not be adopting a free-to-play model but will be released as a premium title. During a live gameplay showcase on April 13, Bungie, the developers behind Marathon, unveiled the game's release date and showcased a new trailer. However, the pricing details remain under wraps, sparking curiosity among fans about how the game will be monetized.

In an insightful episode of the Friends Per Second podcast on April 14, Marathon Director Joe Ziegler clarified the game's monetization approach. He stated, "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 the team's dedication to making it exceptional. He remarked, "Everyone’s got their own definition of what is the right price."

Speculation about Marathon's price has been rampant among fans on social media. However, Bungie clarified via a Twitter (X) post on April 13 that Marathon will not be a full-priced title but will be a premium one. The developers plan to reveal more pricing details this summer.

Marathon Will Not Have Proximity Chat

Proximity chat has become a staple feature in many multiplayer games, enhancing the interactive and immersive experience by allowing players to communicate based on their in-game proximity. However, this feature can also introduce a level of toxicity, as players may encounter both friendly and offensive interactions.

Bungie has decided against including proximity chat in Marathon due to these concerns. In a recent interview with PC Gamer, Joe Ziegler explained the team's stance, 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 emphasized the team's commitment to fostering a safe environment for players, noting that they currently lack a solution to mitigate the toxicity that proximity chat can bring. This decision impacts the game's social dynamics, particularly in an extraction shooter where negotiating with opposing teams can be a strategic element.

Despite ongoing industry efforts to address these challenges, Bungie has not yet found a suitable solution for implementing proximity chat. 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 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 by checking out our dedicated article below!