Marathon Release Date Confirmed During Gameplay Reveal Showcase

Marathon developer Bungie has officially announced the release date for their eagerly anticipated game during a thrilling gameplay reveal showcase. Dive into the details of what's in store and learn about the upcoming Marathon Closed Alpha Playtest.

Marathon Coming on September 23

Destiny and Halo developer Bungie unveiled an exciting gameplay reveal showcase on April 13 for their upcoming first-person extraction shooter, Marathon. Set to launch on September 23, 2025, the game will bring players back to the iconic world of Tau Ceti. In Marathon, players will engage in intense multiplayer battles, where six teams of three will vie against each other and AI-controlled enemies to secure valuable loot and successfully extract their gains.

This new installment marks a significant shift from the original Marathon trilogy, which was released between 1994 and 1996 and focused heavily on single-player, story-driven gameplay. The first game, Marathon, launched in 1994, followed by Marathon 2: Durandal in 1995, and the series concluded with Marathon Infinity in 1996.

Despite the transition to a multiplayer-centric format, Bungie remains committed to preserving the narrative essence that has defined their games. In a PlayStation.blog post dated April 12, Marathon Narrative Leader Jonathan Goff emphasized the team's dedication to crafting an experiential storytelling environment. "The interweaving of narratives, events, and characters in the original trilogy delivered a world of discovery, wonder, and misdirection," Goff stated. 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 stream highlighted the game's strong focus on in-game economy, with every item in a player's inventory tagged with a sell price and clear indicators of what can be extracted from each map. However, Bungie clarified that accumulating wealth isn't the sole objective of Marathon.

The developers aim to transform Marathon into a "story engine," creating memorable experiences and lasting memories, even from failed missions or those where players exit with nothing tangible to show. Marathon Game Director Joe Ziegler shared insights with PC Gamer, stating, "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 in Marathon, success isn't just about survival but about crafting a compelling narrative from each run.

Working With Fans and Creators

Throughout the development of Marathon, Bungie has actively engaged with fans and content creators, involving them from the game's early stages and even before full production began. Players have been instrumental in testing early prototypes, providing critical feedback that has shaped the game's direction.

A key piece of feedback centered on the unpredictability and perceived unfairness of the maps, where players could camp spawns indefinitely or find their desired loot already taken. In response, Game Director Joe 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 conduct a closed alpha playtest for Marathon from April 23 to May 4. This playtest will be restricted to residents of the U.S. and Canada.

The closed alpha will introduce players to four different Runners: Blackbird, akin to Destiny 2’s Warlock; Void, with tactical invisibility; Locus, featuring a tactical shield; and Glitch, boasting exceptional mobility. Three maps will be available for testing: Perimeter, a woodland map accommodating five crews (15 players), and Dire Marsh, a more open map designed for six crews (18 players).

To participate, players should join the official Marathon Discord server, navigate to the alpha-access channel, and use the "/alpha" command to sign up. Note that the playtest is a closed alpha, meaning an invitation is not guaranteed as it marks the game's initial public exposure.

As of now, there are no announcements for additional playtests outside the specified regions. Marathon is scheduled to launch on September 23, 2025, on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC. Stay tuned to our site for the latest updates and information on Marathon!