Marathon F2P Rumors Debunked; Pricing Reveal Set for Summer

Marathon will not be a free-to-play game but will instead be a premium title. Dive deeper to understand Marathon's pricing strategy and the developers' decision to exclude proximity chat.

Marathon Development Updates

Marathon Will Not Be Free-To-Play

Marathon Director has confirmed that the game will not follow the free-to-play model but will be a premium title. During a live gameplay showcase hosted by Bungie on April 13, the developers unveiled the game's release date and showcased a new gameplay trailer. However, they have yet to disclose the game's price, leaving fans eager to learn more about its monetization strategy.

In an insightful discussion on the Friends Per Second podcast on April 14, Marathon Director Joe Ziegler clarified that Marathon is not a free-to-play title. He emphasized, "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 of enjoyability and reiterated the team's dedication to making it exceptional. He noted, "Everyone’s got their own definition of what is the right price."

Speculation about Marathon's price has been rampant on social media, with fans sharing their predictions. However, Bungie clarified via a Twitter (X) post on April 13 that Marathon will not be a full-priced title but a premium one. They promised to reveal more details about the pricing this summer.

Marathon Will Not Have Proximity Chat

Proximity chat, a feature that allows players to communicate based on their in-game proximity, has become a staple in many multiplayer games, enhancing immersion and interaction. Yet, this feature often introduces a mix of friendly and toxic interactions, which can degrade the gaming experience.

Bungie has opted not to include proximity chat in Marathon. In a recent interview with PC Gamer, Ziegler explained the decision, stating, "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 and noted that they currently lack a solution to mitigate the toxicity associated with proximity chat. While this decision may limit some interactive elements, such as negotiating with opposing teams in this extraction shooter, Bungie remains focused on finding the right balance.

Ziegler concluded, "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, on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC. Stay tuned for the latest updates on the game by checking out our article below!