Marathon Release Date Unveiled at Gameplay Showcase

Bungie, the acclaimed developer behind Destiny and Halo, has officially unveiled the release date for their highly anticipated first-person extraction shooter, Marathon, during their gameplay reveal showcase. Dive in to discover more about the game's features and details about the upcoming Closed Alpha Playtest.

Marathon Coming on September 23

On April 13, Bungie hosted a gameplay reveal showcase for Marathon, their new multiplayer-focused first-person extraction shooter set to launch on September 23, 2025. The game brings players back to the iconic Tau Ceti setting but with a fresh twist. In Marathon, six teams of three players will compete against each other and AI-controlled enemies, striving to secure valuable loot and successfully extract items from the map.

This marks a significant shift from the original Marathon trilogy, which comprised story-driven, single-player experiences released between 1994 and 1996. Despite this departure, Bungie aims to preserve the experiential storytelling that has defined their games.

In a PlayStation.blog post dated April 12, Marathon Narrative Leader Jonathan Goff emphasized that while the game will focus on multiplayer, it will still capture the essence of Bungie's storytelling. Goff remarked, "The interweaving of narratives, events, and characters in the original trilogy delivered a world of discovery, wonder, and misdirection." He further stated, "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 observed that the game places a significant emphasis on in-game economy, with each 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 Marathon.

Marathon Game Director Joe Ziegler explained to PC Gamer that the game aims to be a "story engine," generating memorable experiences and lasting stories even when missions fail or players leave with nothing. Ziegler noted, "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?" He emphasized that success in Marathon isn't solely about survival but also about creating compelling narratives 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 early stages, players have been involved in playtesting prototypes and providing critical feedback. One notable piece of feedback was the unpredictability and perceived unfairness of the maps, where players could camp spawns or find that desired loot had already been taken.

In response to this, Ziegler stated, "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 conduct a closed alpha playtest for Marathon from April 23 to May 4, exclusively for residents of the U.S. and Canada. The alpha will feature four unique Runners: Blackbird, similar to Destiny 2's Warlock; Void, with tactical invisibility; Locus, equipped with a tactical shield; and Glitch, known for its high mobility. Players will have access to three maps: Perimeter, a woodland setting for five crews (15 players), and Dire Marsh, a more open map for six crews (18 players).

To participate, interested players should join the official Marathon Discord server, navigate to the alpha-access channel, and use the "/alpha" command to sign up. However, as this is a closed alpha, an invitation is not guaranteed. No further playtests have been announced beyond these regions.

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 and insights by checking out our related articles!