Marathon will not be a free-to-play game but will be a premium title. Dive deeper to uncover Marathon's pricing strategy and the reasons behind the developers' decision to exclude proximity chat.
Marathon Development Updates
Marathon Will Not Be Free-To-Play
Marathon's director has officially confirmed that the game will not follow the free-to-play model but will instead be offered as a premium title. During a live gameplay showcase on April 13, Bungie, the developers behind Marathon, unveiled the game's release date and showcased a captivating new gameplay trailer. Despite this, the price of the game remains under wraps, sparking curiosity among fans about its monetization strategy.
In an insightful episode of the Friends Per Second podcast aired on April 14, Marathon Director Joe Ziegler clarified, "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 commitment to delivering an exceptional gaming experience. He noted, "Everyone’s got their own definition of what is the right price."
The gaming community has been buzzing with speculation about Marathon's price range, with many taking to social media to voice their predictions. Bungie addressed these rumors through a Twitter (X) post on April 13, clarifying that Marathon will be a premium title, not a full-priced one. They promised to reveal more details about its pricing this summer.
Marathon Will Not Have Proximity Chat
Proximity chat has become a staple feature in many multiplayer games, allowing players to engage in more immersive and interactive communication based on their in-game proximity. However, the feature also opens the door to potential toxicity, as it enables players to hear both friendly and offensive remarks.
This concern led Bungie to omit proximity chat from 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 dedication to fostering a safe gaming environment and admitted that they currently lack a viable solution to mitigate the toxicity that proximity chat can bring. This decision, while aimed at protecting players, does limit the potential for strategic in-game communication and negotiation, particularly in an extraction shooter like Marathon.
Despite ongoing efforts by many game developers to address this issue, Bungie has yet to find a satisfactory solution. Ziegler commented, "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, and will be available on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC. Stay tuned to our site for the latest updates and detailed coverage on Marathon's development and release.
