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 this article to discover more about what awaits in the game and how you can participate in the upcoming Closed Alpha Playtest.
Marathon Coming on September 23
Returning to Tau Ceti
On April 13, Bungie unveiled a gameplay reveal showcase for Marathon, marking a significant shift from the original trilogy's single-player focus to a dynamic multiplayer experience. In Marathon, six teams of three players will engage in intense competition, battling both rival teams and AI-controlled enemies to secure valuable loot and successfully extract it.
The original Marathon series, which began with the first game in 1994, followed by Marathon 2: Durandal in 1995, and concluded with Marathon Infinity in 1996, was celebrated for its deep, story-driven gameplay. However, the new Marathon takes a different approach, emphasizing multiplayer strategies.
In a recent PlayStation.blog post dated April 12, Bungie's developers shed light on what players can anticipate. Despite the shift to multiplayer, Marathon Narrative Leader Jonathan Goff emphasized maintaining the experiential storytelling that has defined Bungie's games. "The interweaving of narratives, events, and characters in the original trilogy delivered a world of discovery, wonder, and misdirection," Goff noted. He further elaborated, "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 the game's strong focus on in-game economics, with every item in a player's inventory having a sell price and clear indications of what can be extracted from a map. However, Bungie clarified that amassing wealth isn't the sole objective in Marathon.
The developers aim to make Marathon a "story engine," where players can experience memorable battles and create lasting memories, even if they fail missions or leave maps empty-handed. In a recent interview with PC Gamer, Marathon Game Director Joe Ziegler discussed this vision. "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 surviving, but about crafting compelling stories from each run.
Working With Fans and Creators
Bungie has actively collaborated with fans and content creators throughout Marathon's development, inviting them to playtest early prototypes and provide crucial feedback. One significant issue raised was the unpredictability and unfairness of maps, where players could camp spawns indefinitely or find their desired loot already taken.
Responding to this feedback, 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
Starting April 23 and running until May 4, Bungie will host a Closed Alpha Playtest for Marathon, exclusively for U.S. and Canadian residents. This playtest will feature four unique Runners: Blackbird, resembling Destiny 2's Warlock; Void, with tactical invisibility; Locus, equipped with a tactical shield; and Glitch, known for its superior mobility. Players can explore three distinct maps: Perimeter, a woodland setting for five crews (15 players), and Dire Marsh, a more open environment for six crews (18 players).
To participate, interested players should join the official Marathon Discord server, navigate to the alpha-access channel, and use the "/alpha" command. Keep in mind that invitations are not guaranteed, as this is the first public exposure of the game. No further playtest announcements have been made for regions outside the U.S. and Canada.
Marathon is slated for release on September 23, 2025, across PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC. Stay tuned for more updates and insights by checking out our related articles!
