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
Returning to Tau Ceti
On April 13, Bungie unveiled a gameplay reveal showcase for Marathon, their upcoming first-person extraction shooter set in the Tau Ceti universe. The game introduces a dynamic multiplayer experience where six teams of three players battle against each other and AI-controlled enemies to secure valuable loot and successfully extract items.
This marks a significant shift from the original Marathon trilogy, which comprised story-driven, single-player games. The first Marathon was released in 1994, followed by Marathon 2: Durandal in 1995, and Marathon Infinity in 1996. Despite the new multiplayer focus, Bungie aims to maintain the experiential storytelling that has defined their games.
In a PlayStation.blog post dated April 12, Marathon Narrative Leader Jonathan Goff emphasized the game's commitment to storytelling. He stated, "The interweaving of narratives, events, and characters in the original trilogy delivered a world of discovery, wonder, and misdirection." Goff 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"
During the reveal stream, fans observed 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 clarified that accumulating wealth is not the sole focus of Marathon.
The developers envision Marathon as a "story engine," designed to generate memorable experiences and lasting stories, even from failed missions or empty-handed exits. Marathon Game Director Joe Ziegler shared with 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 emphasized that success in Marathon is not solely about survival but about crafting compelling narratives from each run.
Working With Fans and Creators
Bungie has actively engaged with fans and content creators throughout Marathon's development, incorporating feedback from early playtests even before entering full production. One key piece of feedback was the unpredictability and perceived unfairness of the maps, where players could camp spawns indefinitely or find their desired loot already taken.
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 explore 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. The alpha will feature 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, players can visit Marathon's official Discord server, navigate to the alpha-access channel, and use the "/alpha" command to sign up. However, as this is a closed alpha, an invitation is not guaranteed.
No further playtests have been announced for regions beyond the U.S. and Canada. Marathon is scheduled for release on September 23, 2025, and will be available on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC. Stay tuned for more updates and insights by checking out our related articles below!
