Marathon Release Date Unveiled at Gameplay Showcase

Bungie, the renowned developer behind Destiny and Halo, has officially announced the release date for their eagerly awaited game, Marathon, during its gameplay reveal showcase. Dive into the details of 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

During the gameplay reveal showcase on April 13, Bungie unveiled exciting details about Marathon, their new first-person extraction shooter. Set in the expansive universe of Tau Ceti, the game pits six teams of three players against each other and AI-controlled enemies, all vying to secure valuable loot and extract it successfully.

This marks a significant shift from the original Marathon trilogy, which debuted with the first game in 1994, followed by Marathon 2: Durandal in 1995, and Marathon Infinity in 1996. These classic games were known for their rich, single-player narratives.

In a recent PlayStation.blog post dated April 12, Bungie's developers delved into what players can anticipate in this new iteration of Marathon. Despite the pivot to a multiplayer focus, Narrative Leader Jonathan Goff emphasized maintaining the experiential storytelling that has long been a Bungie signature.

Goff elaborated, "The interweaving of narratives, events, and characters in the original trilogy delivered a world of discovery, wonder, and misdirection." He further noted, "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"

From the reveal stream, it's clear that Marathon places a strong emphasis on in-game economy, with every item in a player's inventory having a sell price and clear indicators of what can be extracted from each map. However, Bungie assures that accumulating wealth isn't the sole focus of the game.

The developers aim for Marathon to serve as a "story engine," fostering memorable battles and lasting experiences, even in the face of mission failures or leaving a map empty-handed. In a recent interview with PC Gamer, Game Director Joe Ziegler shared insights into the game's direction.

He 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?" Ziegler highlighted that success in Marathon isn't solely about survival but about crafting a compelling story 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, even before full production, players have been involved in playtesting prototypes, providing crucial feedback.

One significant piece of feedback was the feeling that maps were unfair and unpredictable, with issues like spawn camping and pre-empted loot collection. In response, 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. This playtest will be region-restricted, available only to residents of the U.S. and Canada.

Participants in the closed alpha will have the chance to try out four different Runners: Blackbird, akin to Destiny 2’s Warlock; Void, with tactical invisibility; Locus, equipped with a tactical shield; and Glitch, known for its exceptional mobility. The alpha will feature three maps: Perimeter, a woodland setting for five crews (15 players), and Dire Marsh, a more open environment for six crews (18 players).

To join the playtest, interested players should visit Marathon's official Discord server, navigate to the alpha-access channel, and use the "/alpha" command to sign up. Keep in mind that this is a closed alpha, and receiving an invitation is not guaranteed as it's 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 tuned for more updates by checking out our related articles!