Bungie, the renowned developer behind Destiny and Halo, has officially announced the release date for their highly anticipated game, Marathon, during its gameplay reveal showcase. Dive into the details about what you can expect from the game and learn about the upcoming Marathon Closed Alpha Playtest.
Marathon Coming on September 23
Returning to Tau Ceti
During the gameplay reveal showcase on April 13, Bungie unveiled details about Marathon, an upcoming first-person extraction shooter set in the universe of Tau Ceti. The game introduces a multiplayer focus, featuring six teams of three players each, competing against each other and AI-controlled enemies to secure valuable loot and successfully extract items.
This marks a significant shift from the original Marathon trilogy, which consisted of story-driven, single-player games. The first game, Marathon, was released in 1994, followed by Marathon 2: Durandal in 1995, and Marathon Infinity in 1996. Despite the new multiplayer emphasis, Bungie is committed to preserving the experiential storytelling that has defined their games.
In a PlayStation.blog post dated April 12, Marathon Narrative Leader Jonathan Goff emphasized the importance of storytelling. He said, "The interweaving of narratives, events, and characters in the original trilogy delivered a world of discovery, wonder, and misdirection." Goff 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"
The gameplay reveal showcased a strong focus on the in-game economy, with each item in a player's inventory having a sell price and clear indications of what can be extracted from a map. However, Bungie clarified that accumulating wealth isn't the sole objective of the game.
Marathon aims to be a "story engine," where even failed missions or leaving a map empty-handed can lead to memorable experiences and lasting stories. Marathon Game Director Joe Ziegler told 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 emphasized that success in Marathon isn't just about surviving but also about crafting compelling narratives from each run.
Working With Fans and Creators
Throughout the development of Marathon, Bungie has actively engaged with fans and content creators, incorporating their feedback from the earliest stages. Early prototypes were playtested, and the feedback was instrumental in shaping the game's design.
A common concern was that maps felt unfair and unpredictable, with potential for spawn camping or loot being taken before teams could reach it. In response, Game Director Joe Ziegler stated, "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 conduct a closed alpha playtest for Marathon from April 23 to May 4, exclusively for residents in the U.S. and Canada. The alpha will feature four playable Runners: Blackbird, similar to Destiny 2’s Warlock; Void, with tactical invisibility; Locus, equipped with a tactical shield; and Glitch, known for its exceptional mobility. Players will have access to three maps: Perimeter, a woodland map for five crews (15 players), and Dire Marsh, a more open map for six crews (18 players).
To participate, players can join the official Marathon Discord server, navigate to the alpha-access channel, and use the "/alpha" command to sign up. However, an invitation is not guaranteed as this is a closed alpha, marking the game's first public exposure.
No further playtests have been announced beyond the U.S. and Canada. 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 Marathon by checking out our related articles below!
