Bungie, the renowned developer behind Destiny and Halo, has officially announced the release date for their highly anticipated first-person extraction shooter, Marathon, during a captivating gameplay reveal showcase. Dive into the details of what to expect from the game and learn about the upcoming Marathon Closed Alpha Playtest.
Marathon Coming on September 23, 2025
Returning to Tau Ceti
On April 13, Bungie unveiled the gameplay of their upcoming title, Marathon, a multiplayer-focused first-person extraction shooter set in the Tau Ceti universe. In this thrilling game, six teams of three players will battle against each other and AI-controlled adversaries to secure valuable loot and successfully extract it from the map.
This new direction marks a significant shift from the original Marathon trilogy, which comprised story-driven, single-player experiences. The first Marathon was released in 1994, followed by Marathon 2: Durandal in 1995, and Marathon Infinity in 1996.
In a PlayStation.blog post dated April 12, Bungie developers offered insights into the game's design. Despite the shift towards multiplayer, Marathon Narrative Leader Jonathan Goff emphasized that the game will retain the experiential storytelling that has been a cornerstone of Bungie's titles.
Goff stated, "The interweaving of narratives, events, and characters in the original trilogy delivered a world of discovery, wonder, and misdirection." He 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"
During the reveal stream, fans noticed the game's heavy focus on in-game economy, with each item in a player's inventory displaying a sell price and clear indicators of what can be extracted. However, Bungie clarified that accumulating wealth is just one aspect of the game.
The developers aim for Marathon to serve as a "story engine," creating memorable experiences and lasting stories even when players fail a mission or leave the map empty-handed. Marathon Game Director Joe Ziegler shared with PC Gamer that the game aims to capture the essence of survival stories, saying, "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 survival, but about the compelling stories that emerge from each run.
Working With Fans and Creators
Throughout Marathon's development, Bungie has collaborated closely with fans and content creators, even involving them in playtesting early prototypes. This feedback has been instrumental in shaping the game's design.
One key piece of feedback was that the maps felt unfair and unpredictable, with issues like camping at spawn points and loot being taken before a team could reach it. In response, Ziegler noted, "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 will be conducting a closed alpha playtest for Marathon from April 23 to May 4, exclusively for residents of the U.S. and Canada. This playtest will introduce four distinct Runners: Blackbird, similar to Destiny 2’s Warlock; Void, with tactical invisibility; Locus, equipped with a tactical shield; and Glitch, known for 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 in the closed alpha, players should join Marathon’s official Discord server, navigate to the alpha-access channel, and use the "/alpha" command to sign up. Please note that invitations are not guaranteed, as this is the first public exposure for the game.
No further playtests have been announced for regions outside the U.S. and Canada. Marathon is set to launch on September 23, 2025, for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC. Stay tuned for more updates and insights on the game by checking our dedicated articles!
