Marathon Release Date Unveiled at Gameplay Showcase

Bungie, the renowned developer behind Destiny and Halo, has officially announced the release date for their upcoming first-person extraction shooter, Marathon, during an exciting gameplay reveal showcase. Dive in to discover more about the game and how you can participate in the Marathon Closed Alpha Playtest.

Marathon Coming on September 23

Returning to Tau Ceti

On April 13, Bungie unveiled a gameplay showcase for Marathon, marking a significant shift from the original trilogy. Unlike the story-driven, single-player focus of the 1994-1996 Marathon series, this new iteration emphasizes multiplayer dynamics. In Marathon, six teams of three players will battle against each other and AI enemies to secure and extract valuable loot.

In a detailed PlayStation.blog post dated April 12, Bungie's developers shared insights into what players can anticipate. Despite the shift to multiplayer, Marathon Narrative Leader Jonathan Goff assured fans that the game will retain the experiential storytelling that has become synonymous with Bungie's titles. Goff highlighted the original trilogy's success in creating a world full of discovery and intrigue, stating, "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"

During the reveal stream, the emphasis on in-game economy was clear, with every item in a player's inventory having a sell price and a clear visual indicator of what can be extracted. However, Bungie clarified that accumulating wealth isn't the sole focus of Marathon. Marathon Game Director Joe Ziegler, in a recent interview with PC Gamer, emphasized the game's goal to be 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?" This approach underscores that success in Marathon isn't just about survival, but about crafting memorable stories from every run.

Working With Fans and Creators

Bungie has actively engaged with fans and content creators throughout Marathon's development, incorporating their feedback from early prototypes to refine the game. A notable adjustment was made in response to feedback about map fairness and unpredictability. Game Director Joe 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

Starting April 23 and running until May 4, Bungie will host a Closed Alpha Playtest for Marathon, limited to residents of the U.S. and Canada. Participants can choose from four Runners: Blackbird (similar to Destiny 2’s Warlock), Void (with tactical invisibility), Locus (with a tactical shield), and Glitch (with enhanced mobility). The alpha will feature three maps: Perimeter, a woodland setting for five crews (15 players), and Dire Marsh, a more open map for six crews (18 players).

To join the playtest, visit Marathon’s official Discord server, navigate to the alpha-access channel, and use the "/alpha" command. Keep in mind that participation in this closed alpha isn't guaranteed as it's the game's first public outing.

No further playtests have been announced for regions beyond the U.S. and Canada. Marathon is slated for release on September 23, 2025, across PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC. Stay tuned for more updates by checking out our comprehensive coverage below!