Marathon Release Date Unveiled at Gameplay Showcase

Bungie, the renowned developer behind Destiny and Halo, has officially announced the release date for their highly anticipated first-person extraction shooter, Marathon, during its gameplay reveal showcase. Dive into the details to discover what awaits in the game and how you can participate in the upcoming Closed Alpha Playtest.

Marathon Coming on September 23

Returning to Tau Ceti

On April 13, Bungie unveiled an exciting gameplay reveal for Marathon, setting the stage for its release on September 23, 2025. This new iteration of Marathon shifts focus to a multiplayer experience, where six teams of three players battle against each other and AI-controlled enemies to secure loot and successfully extract items. This marks a significant departure from the original trilogy, which was renowned for its story-driven, single-player gameplay.

The first Marathon game hit the market in 1994, followed by Marathon 2: Durandal in 1995, and Marathon Infinity in 1996. Each of these games emphasized narrative and solo adventure.

In a detailed post on the PlayStation blog on April 12, Bungie developers outlined what fans can expect from the new Marathon. Despite the shift towards multiplayer, the team, led by Narrative Leader Jonathan Goff, aims to preserve the rich storytelling tradition that has defined Bungie's work.

Goff remarked, "The interweaving of narratives, events, and characters in the original trilogy delivered a world of discovery, wonder, and misdirection." 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"

The gameplay reveal highlighted Marathon's focus on in-game economics, with every item in a player's inventory carrying a sell price and clear indications of what can be extracted from a map. However, Bungie emphasized that accumulating wealth is just one aspect of the game.

The developers envision Marathon as a "story engine", designed to create memorable battles and enduring experiences, even when missions fail or players leave the map empty-handed. Game Director Joe Ziegler shared with PC Gamer that the essence of Marathon is to craft adventures where survival is challenging, yet the stories that emerge from each run are the true measure of success. "Some of the best survival stories and moments I've had in gaming are actually failures or weird things that have happened," Ziegler noted.

Working With Fans and Creators

Throughout Marathon's development, Bungie has actively collaborated with fans and content creators. From the game's early stages, players have been involved in playtesting prototypes, offering critical feedback that has shaped the game's design.

One key piece of feedback was the unpredictability and perceived unfairness of the maps, where players could camp spawns or find that desired loot had already been 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 from April 23 to May 4, exclusively for residents of the U.S. and Canada. Participants will have the opportunity to try out four distinct Runners: Blackbird, similar to Destiny 2’s Warlock; Void, equipped with tactical invisibility; Locus, featuring a tactical shield; and Glitch, known for its exceptional mobility. The alpha will include 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 playtest, interested players should visit the official Marathon Discord server, navigate to the alpha-access channel, and use the "/alpha" command. Invitations are not guaranteed, as this is a closed alpha and the first public exposure of the game.

As of now, there have been no announcements regarding additional playtests outside the specified regions. Marathon is slated for release on September 23, 2025, across PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC. Stay tuned for more updates by checking out our related articles below!