Bungie, the acclaimed developer behind Destiny and Halo, has officially announced the release date for their highly anticipated first-person extraction shooter, Marathon, during a recent gameplay reveal showcase. Dive into the details below to discover what awaits in the game and how you can participate in the upcoming Closed Alpha Playtest.
Marathon Coming on September 23, 2025
Returning to Tau Ceti
On April 13, Bungie unveiled captivating gameplay details for Marathon, set to launch on September 23, 2025. This modern iteration of the classic series shifts its focus to intense multiplayer action, pitting six teams of three players against each other and AI-controlled foes in a race to secure and extract valuable loot.
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 games were renowned for their compelling single-player narratives and immersive storytelling.
In a post on the PlayStation.blog dated April 12, Bungie's developers shed light on the upcoming game. Despite its multiplayer emphasis, Marathon Narrative Leader Jonathan Goff emphasized maintaining the series' hallmark of experiential storytelling. "The interweaving of narratives, events, and characters in the original trilogy delivered a world of discovery, wonder, and misdirection," Goff noted. He further elaborated, "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, it was evident that Marathon places a significant focus on in-game economics, with every item in a player's inventory having a sell price and clear indicators of what can be extracted. However, Bungie clarified that accumulating wealth isn't the game's sole objective.
The developers aim for Marathon to serve as a "story engine," fostering memorable experiences and lasting memories, even in the face of mission failures or empty-handed exits. Marathon Game Director Joe Ziegler shared with PC Gamer that the team is focused on creating survival challenges that lead to compelling stories. "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 emphasized that success in Marathon is not solely about survival but about crafting a compelling narrative from each run.
Working With Fans and Creators
Throughout Marathon's development, Bungie has actively collaborated with fans and content creators, incorporating their feedback from early prototypes to refine the game. One notable piece of feedback concerned the unpredictability and perceived unfairness of the game's maps, where players could camp spawns indefinitely, or desired loot might already be claimed.
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 launch a Closed Alpha Playtest for Marathon, running from April 23 to May 4, 2025. Participation is limited to residents of the U.S. and Canada. The alpha will introduce four unique Runners: Blackbird, akin to Destiny 2’s Warlock; Void, with tactical invisibility; Locus, equipped with a tactical shield; and Glitch, renowned for its mobility. Players can explore 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 Closed Alpha, visit Marathon's official Discord server, navigate to the alpha-access channel, and enter the "/alpha" command. Keep in mind that receiving an invitation is not guaranteed, as this is the first public exposure of the game. No further playtest announcements have been made 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 and insights by checking out our related articles.
