Marathon Release Date Unveiled at Gameplay Showcase

Bungie, the acclaimed developer behind Destiny and Halo, has officially announced the release date for their highly anticipated first-person extraction shooter, Marathon, during a captivating gameplay reveal showcase. Dive in to discover more about what's in store for the game and how you can participate in the upcoming Closed Alpha Playtest.

Marathon Coming on September 23

Returning to Tau Ceti

During the gameplay reveal showcase on April 13, Bungie unveiled exciting details about Marathon, set to launch on September 23, 2025. This upcoming title diverges significantly from its predecessors, shifting the focus from single-player to a multiplayer-centric experience. In Marathon, players will engage in intense multiplayer strategies, with six teams of three competing against each other and AI-controlled enemies to secure and extract valuable loot.

Originally launched in 1994, the Marathon series was renowned for its story-driven, single-player focus. Marathon 2: Durandal followed in 1995, and Marathon Infinity concluded the trilogy in 1996. Despite this new direction, Bungie assures fans that the essence of experiential storytelling will remain a cornerstone of the game.

In a recent PlayStation.blog post dated April 12, Marathon Narrative Leader Jonathan Goff emphasized the game's commitment to storytelling. He stated, "The interweaving of narratives, events, and characters in the original trilogy delivered a world of discovery, wonder, and misdirection." Goff further elaborated, "At the end of the day, 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"

The gameplay reveal highlighted Marathon's unique economic system, where every item in a player's inventory has a sell price, and clear indicators show what can be extracted from each map. However, Bungie clarified that amassing wealth is just one aspect of the game.

The vision for Marathon, as articulated by Game Director Joe Ziegler in a recent PC Gamer interview, is to serve as a "story engine." Ziegler explained, "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 underscored that success in Marathon isn't solely about survival but also about crafting memorable stories from each run.

Working With Fans and Creators

Bungie has actively engaged with fans and content creators throughout Marathon's development, incorporating their feedback even from the game's earliest stages. One notable piece of feedback was the unpredictability and perceived unfairness of certain map designs, where players could camp spawn points or find their desired loot already taken.

In response to this, 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 is set to launch a Closed Alpha Playtest for Marathon from April 23 to May 4, exclusively for residents of the U.S. and Canada. Participants will have the chance to explore four distinct Runner classes: Blackbird, similar to Destiny 2’s Warlock; Void, offering tactical invisibility; Locus, equipped with a tactical shield; and Glitch, known for its exceptional mobility. The playtest will feature three maps, including Perimeter, a woodland setting for five crews (15 players), and Dire Marsh, a more open environment for six crews (18 players).

To join the alpha, interested players should visit Marathon's official Discord server, navigate to the alpha-access channel, and use the "/alpha" command to sign up. Please note that participation in the Closed Alpha is not guaranteed, as it marks the game's first public outing.

No further playtest announcements have been made for regions beyond the U.S. and Canada. Marathon is slated for release on September 23, 2025, and will be available on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC. Stay updated with the latest news and developments by checking our dedicated article below!