Rumors of *Marathon* launching as a free-to-play title have officially been dispelled. The upcoming title from Bungie will be a premium game, not following the F2P model that has become increasingly common in the industry. Keep reading to find out what we know about *Marathon*'s pricing structure and why proximity chat won't be making an appearance.
Marathon Development Updates
Marathon Will Not Be Free-To-Play
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In a recent update, Marathon Director Joe Ziegler confirmed that the game will launch as a premium title rather than a free-to-play experience. During Bungie’s live gameplay showcase on April 13, the team revealed the game's release date and shared a new gameplay trailer, but the final price point remains under wraps for now.
Ziegler appeared on the Friends Per Second podcast on April 14, where he elaborated on the decision. He stated, “We’re hoping that what we’re showing is exciting enough that someone is going to take the leap with us, but we are also committed to delivering on seasons past this that will continuously offer to evolve the game without an increase to the box price.”
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Ziegler expressed confidence in the current state of the game, emphasizing the team's dedication to refining it into something truly special. “Everyone’s got their own definition of what is the right price,” he added, hinting at a flexible approach to value perception among players.
Fans have already started speculating about the potential price range based on various hints and comparisons with similar titles. Social media platforms like Twitter (now X) have become hubs for player predictions and discussions. However, Bungie clarified during their April 13 livestream that while *Marathon* won’t carry a full-priced AAA tag, it will still be a premium game. More pricing details are expected to be announced this summer.
Marathon Will Not Have Proximity Chat
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Proximity chat has become a staple feature in many modern multiplayer games, offering players a more immersive experience by allowing communication based on in-game positioning. However, it also opens the door to toxicity, which was a major concern for the *Marathon* development team.
In a conversation with PC Gamer, Ziegler explained the reasoning behind excluding the feature: “When it comes to prox chat, I don't think we're against the experience of it, to be fair. I think the challenge is how to make sure we're creating a safe environment for players inside of that space.”
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The team remains committed to fostering a positive and inclusive community. Currently, they do not have a reliable solution to mitigate the negative aspects associated with proximity chat, such as harassment or verbal abuse. While removing the feature does limit some tactical interactions—especially in an extraction-based shooter—it aligns with Bungie’s long-standing focus on player safety and comfort.
Ziegler acknowledged that proximity chat could enhance gameplay dynamics but admitted there’s no easy fix yet. “I think that's where we stand right now. Like, if it was magical and we could somehow come up with that solution, I think we totally would do it. But right now, it is a challenge that many companies are trying to figure out,” he concluded.
*Marathon* is scheduled to launch on September 23, 2025, across PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC. Stay tuned for more updates as Bungie prepares to reveal additional details about the game’s pricing and features this summer.
