Marathon Release Date Unveiled at Gameplay Showcase

Marathon developer Bungie announced the game’s release date during its gameplay reveal showcase. Dive in to learn more about what to expect in the game and details on Marathon's Closed Alpha Playtest.

Marathon Coming on September 23

Returning to Tau Ceti

Destiny and Halo developer Bungie held a gameplay reveal showcase on April 13 for its upcoming first-person extraction shooter, Marathon. The game centers on multiplayer strategies where six teams of three players compete against each other and AI-controlled enemies to secure loot and successfully extract items.

This marks a significant shift from the original trilogy. The first Marathon was released in 1994, followed by Marathon 2: Durandal in 1995, and Marathon Infinity in 1996. Unlike the new game, these titles were story-driven and focused on single-player experiences.

In a PlayStation.blog post dated April 12, Bungie developers shared insights on what players can expect from Marathon. Despite the move to a multiplayer focus, Marathon Narrative Leader Jonathan Goff emphasized that the game will maintain the experiential storytelling 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." He further explained, "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 noticed a strong emphasis on in-game economics, with every item in players' inventories having a sell price and clear indicators of what can be extracted from each map. However, Bungie clarified that accumulating wealth isn't the sole focus of the game.

The developers aim for Marathon to serve as a "story engine," generating memorable battles and lasting experiences, even if players fail a mission or leave a map empty-handed. Marathon Game Director Joe Ziegler, in a recent interview with PC Gamer, elaborated on this vision.

He said, "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 isn't just about surviving, but about crafting a compelling story from each run.

Working With Fans and Creators

Bungie has actively involved fans and content creators in the development of Marathon, from its early stages to pre-production. Players have been testing early prototypes and providing valuable feedback.

One key piece of feedback was that the maps felt unfair and unpredictable, with issues like spawn camping and pre-empted loot collection. 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 will conduct its alpha playtest for Marathon from April 23 to May 4. This playtest is region-restricted, available only to residents of the U.S. and Canada.

The closed alpha will feature four Runners for players to try: Blackbird, similar to Destiny 2’s Warlock; Void, with tactical invisibility; Locus, equipped with a tactical shield; and Glitch, known for its great mobility. Three maps will be available: Perimeter, a woodland map for five crews (15 players), and Dire Marsh, a more open map for six crews (18 players).

To participate, players can join the official Marathon Discord server, navigate to the alpha-access channel, and use the "/alpha" command to sign up. Note that this is a closed alpha, and an invitation is not guaranteed as it's the game's first public outing.

No further playtests have been announced beyond the U.S. and Canada. Marathon is slated for release on September 23, 2025, on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC. Stay updated with the latest news by checking out our article below!