Marathon developer Bungie has officially announced the much-anticipated release date for their upcoming game during a gameplay reveal showcase. Dive into the details below to discover what awaits players in this thrilling new title and how you can participate in the Marathon Closed Alpha Playtest.
Marathon Coming on September 23
Returning to Tau Ceti
On April 13, Bungie, the renowned developer behind Destiny and Halo, hosted a gameplay reveal showcase for their upcoming first-person extraction shooter, Marathon. This game introduces a multiplayer-centric approach, pitting six teams of three players against each other and AI-controlled enemies in a race to secure loot and successfully extract valuable items.
This marks a significant shift from the original Marathon trilogy, which debuted with the first Marathon in 1994, followed by Marathon 2: Durandal in 1995, and Marathon Infinity in 1996. These earlier games were known for their rich, story-driven, single-player experiences.
In a detailed post on PlayStation.blog dated April 12, Bungie's developers shared insights into what players can expect from the new Marathon. Despite the shift towards multiplayer, Marathon Narrative Leader Jonathan Goff emphasized that the game will maintain the experiential storytelling that has been a hallmark of Bungie's games.
Goff highlighted, "The interweaving of narratives, events, and characters in the original trilogy delivered a world of discovery, wonder, and misdirection." He further explained, "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, fans observed a significant focus on in-game economy, with items in the players' inventory having a sell price and clear indicators of extractable items on maps. However, Bungie clarified that accumulating wealth isn't the sole objective of the game.
The developers aim for Marathon to serve as a "story engine," generating memorable encounters and lasting experiences, even if players fail a mission or exit a map empty-handed. Marathon Game Director Joe Ziegler shared with PC Gamer, "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 stressed that success in Marathon isn't just about survival, but about creating compelling narratives from each run.
Working With Fans and Creators
Throughout Marathon's development, Bungie has actively engaged with fans and content creators, involving them from the early stages and even before the game entered production. Early playtesting of prototypes provided invaluable feedback.
A key piece of feedback was the unpredictability and perceived unfairness of maps, where players could camp spawns or find that desired loot had already been taken. In response, Ziegler explained, "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 host a closed alpha playtest for Marathon from April 23 to May 4, exclusively for residents of the U.S. and Canada.
The closed alpha will offer players the chance to experience four different Runners: Blackbird, reminiscent of Destiny 2’s Warlock; Void, featuring tactical invisibility; Locus, equipped with a tactical shield; and Glitch, known for exceptional mobility. Players will have access to three maps: Perimeter, a woodland setting for five crews (15 players), and Dire Marsh, a more open environment suitable for six crews (18 players).
To participate, players can join Marathon's official Discord server, navigate to the alpha-access channel, and use the "/alpha" command to register their interest. Keep in mind that this is a closed alpha, so receiving an invitation is not guaranteed.
No further playtests have been announced beyond the specified regions. Marathon is scheduled 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 on the game by checking out our article below!
