Marathon developer Bungie announced the game's release date during its gameplay reveal showcase. Dive into the details about what to expect in the game and how to participate in Marathon's Closed Alpha Playtest.
Marathon Coming on September 23
Returning to Tau Ceti
Destiny and Halo developer Bungie unveiled a gameplay reveal showcase on April 13 for its upcoming first-person extraction shooter, Marathon. The game emphasizes multiplayer strategies where six teams of three players compete against each other and AI-controlled enemies to secure loot and successfully extract items.
This represents a significant shift from the original trilogy of the game. The first Marathon was released in 1994, followed by Marathon 2: Durandal in 1995, and Marathon Infinity in 1996. These games were renowned for their story-driven, single-player focus.
In a PlayStation.blog post dated April 12, Bungie developers provided insights into what players can expect from Marathon. Despite the shift to a multiplayer focus, Marathon Narrative Leader Jonathan Goff emphasized maintaining the experiential storytelling that has been a hallmark of Bungie games.
Goff stated, "The interweaving of narratives, events, and characters in the original trilogy delivered a world of discovery, wonder, and misdirection." He further added, "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 noted the game's strong emphasis on in-game economics, with every item in the players' inventory having a sell price and clear indications of what can be extracted from a map. However, Bungie clarified that accumulating wealth is not the sole focus of the game.
The developers aim for Marathon to function as a "story engine," generating memorable experiences and lasting memories, even in the face of mission failures or leaving the map empty-handed. Marathon Game Director Joe Ziegler shared with PC Gamer that the game is designed to encourage adventures that challenge survival and create unique stories. Ziegler noted, "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?" He emphasized that success in Marathon is not solely measured by survival but by the stories that emerge from each run.
Working With Fans and Creators
Bungie has actively collaborated with fans and content creators throughout Marathon's development. From early prototypes to pre-production stages, players have been involved in playtesting and providing valuable feedback.
One significant piece of feedback was that the maps felt unfair and unpredictable, with issues such as camping spawns and pre-taken loot. 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 will conduct a closed alpha playtest for Marathon from April 23 to May 4. Participation is limited to residents of the U.S. and Canada.
The closed alpha will introduce four Runner classes for players to explore: Blackbird, reminiscent of Destiny 2's Warlock; Void, featuring tactical invisibility; Locus, equipped with a tactical shield; and Glitch, known for its superior mobility. The playtest will include three maps: Perimeter, a woodland map accommodating five crews (15 players), and Dire Marsh, a more open map for six crews (18 players).
To join the playtest, players should visit Marathon's official Discord server, navigate to the alpha-access channel, and use the "/alpha" command. Invitations are not guaranteed due to the closed nature of the alpha, marking the game's first public exposure.
No official announcements have been made regarding additional playtests outside the specified regions. Marathon is slated for release on September 23, 2025, on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC. Stay updated with the latest developments by checking out our article below!
