Marathon Gameplay Reveal Confirms Release Date

Marathon developer Bungie announced the much-anticipated release date during its gameplay reveal showcase. Dive into the details below to discover what to expect from the game and how you can participate in the upcoming Closed Alpha Playtest.

Marathon Coming on September 23

Returning to Tau Ceti

Bungie, renowned for Destiny and Halo, unveiled gameplay for their new first-person extraction shooter, Marathon, on April 13. The game introduces a fresh multiplayer dynamic, pitting six teams of three players against each other and AI-controlled adversaries to secure loot and successfully extract valuable items.

This represents a significant shift from the original Marathon trilogy, which debuted with the first game in 1994, followed by Marathon 2: Durandal in 1995, and concluded with Marathon Infinity in 1996. The trilogy was known for its compelling, single-player narrative focus.

In a detailed PlayStation.blog post dated April 12, Bungie developers provided insights into what players can anticipate from Marathon. Despite the move to a multiplayer format, Marathon Narrative Leader Jonathan Goff emphasized their commitment to preserving the experiential storytelling that defines Bungie's games.

Goff remarked, "The interweaving of narratives, events, and characters in the original trilogy delivered a world of discovery, wonder, and misdirection." He further elaborated, "At the end of the day, our goal with Marathon is not just to tell a story, but to build worlds where stories can naturally unfold."

Making Marathon a "Story Engine"

From the reveal stream, it's evident that the game places a significant emphasis on in-game economy, with each item in a player's inventory having a clear sell price and visible extraction value. However, Bungie stresses that amassing wealth isn't the sole objective.

Marathon is designed to be a "story engine", fostering memorable battles and enduring memories, even when players fail missions or leave maps empty-handed. Marathon Game Director Joe Ziegler, in a recent interview with PC Gamer, discussed their vision for the game.

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 highlighted that success in Marathon isn't solely about survival, but about crafting compelling stories from each run.

Working With Fans and Creators

Throughout Marathon's development, Bungie has actively engaged with fans and content creators. Even before entering full production, players tested early prototypes and offered valuable feedback that shaped the game's evolution.

One critical feedback point was the feeling that maps were unfair and unpredictable, with issues like spawn camping and pre-empted loot. In response, Ziegler explained, "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 its alpha playtest for Marathon from April 23 to May 4, but participation is limited to residents of the U.S. and Canada.

The closed alpha will introduce four distinct Runner classes for players to explore: Blackbird, reminiscent of Destiny 2’s Warlock; Void, with tactical invisibility; Locus, equipped with a tactical shield; and Glitch, known for exceptional mobility. Players can test these classes across three different maps, including Perimeter, a woodland setting for five crews (15 players), and Dire Marsh, a more expansive map for six crews (18 players).

To join the playtest, visit Marathon's official Discord server, navigate to the alpha-access channel, and type the "/alpha" command. Keep in mind that receiving an invitation is not guaranteed as this is a closed alpha, marking the game's first public exposure.

No further playtest announcements have been made for regions outside the U.S. and Canada. Marathon is slated for release on September 23, 2025, on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC. Stay tuned to our updates for the latest news on Marathon!