Marathon F2P Rumors Debunked; Pricing Announcement Coming This Summer

Marathon will not be a free-to-play game but will instead be offered as a premium title. In this article, we'll delve into the details of Marathon's pricing strategy and explore the reasons behind the developers' decision to exclude proximity chat.

Marathon Development Updates

Marathon Will Not Be Free-To-Play

Marathon's director has put to rest any speculation about the game being free-to-play, confirming that it will be a premium title. During a live gameplay showcase on April 13 hosted by Bungie, the developers not only revealed the game's release date but also showcased a new gameplay trailer. However, the price of the game remains under wraps, leaving fans eager to know how Bungie plans to monetize Marathon.

In a revealing episode of the Friends Per Second podcast on April 14, Marathon Director Joe Ziegler clarified that Marathon will not follow the free-to-play model. 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 and the team's dedication to enhancing it further. He noted, "Everyone’s got their own definition of what is the right price." This statement has sparked a flurry of speculation among fans about the potential pricing, with many taking to social media to share their predictions. Bungie further clarified on a Twitter (X) post on April 13 that Marathon will not be a full-priced title but a premium one, with more details on pricing to be announced this summer.

Marathon Will Not Have Proximity Chat

Proximity chat, a feature that has become increasingly popular in multiplayer games, allows players to communicate based on their in-game proximity, enhancing the game's interactivity and immersion. However, this feature often leads to an increase in toxic behavior due to the mixed nature of online communities.

Bungie has decided to forgo proximity chat in Marathon, as explained by Joe Ziegler in a recent interview with PC Gamer. He stated, "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 gaming environment, noting that they have not yet found a solution to mitigate the toxicity associated with proximity chat. This decision, while aimed at preserving a positive gaming atmosphere, does limit the potential for dynamic interactions and negotiations with opposing teams, which could have added depth to the gameplay, especially given Marathon's extraction shooter genre.

Bungie continues to explore solutions to this challenge, as Ziegler mentioned, "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 on the game by checking out our related articles below!