Bungie, the developer behind Destiny and Halo, has officially announced the release date for their upcoming first-person extraction shooter, Marathon, during their gameplay reveal showcase. Dive in to discover more about what the game has in store and details on the Marathon Closed Alpha Playtest.
Marathon Coming on September 23
Returning to Tau Ceti
On April 13, Bungie unveiled a gameplay reveal showcase for their anticipated first-person extraction shooter, Marathon. Set in the Tau Ceti system, the game introduces a multiplayer strategy where six teams of three players will vie against each other and AI-controlled enemies to collect and extract valuable loot. This marks a significant shift from the original Marathon trilogy, which focused on single-player, story-driven gameplay.
In a PlayStation.blog post dated April 12, Bungie's developers shared 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's games. "The interweaving of narratives, events, and characters in the original trilogy delivered a world of discovery, wonder, and misdirection," Goff said. "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 noticed a strong emphasis on in-game economy, with every item in a player's inventory having a sell price and clear indicators of what can be extracted from a map. However, Bungie stressed that accumulating wealth isn't the sole objective of Marathon. The developers aim for the game to serve as a "story engine," creating memorable experiences and lasting memories, even in the face of mission failures or leaving a map empty-handed. 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 highlighted that success in Marathon isn't just about survival, but about crafting a compelling story from each run.
Working With Fans and Creators
Bungie has actively engaged with fans and content creators throughout Marathon's development, even before entering full production. Early playtesting provided valuable feedback, particularly regarding map design. Players felt that maps were unfair and unpredictable, with issues like spawn camping and pre-empted loot collection. 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. The alpha will feature four distinct 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 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 participate, players should join the official Marathon Discord server, navigate to the alpha-access channel, and use the "/alpha" command to sign up. Keep in mind that this is a closed alpha, and an invitation is not guaranteed. No further playtests have been announced for regions outside the U.S. and Canada. Marathon is slated for release on September 23, 2025, on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC. Stay tuned for more updates by checking out our related articles!
