Marathon Release Date Unveiled at Gameplay Showcase

Bungie, the acclaimed developer behind *Destiny* and *Halo*, officially announced the release date for its upcoming first-person extraction shooter, *Marathon*, during a dedicated gameplay reveal showcase held on April 13. The game is set to launch on **September 23, 2025**, and will be available on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC. Alongside the release date, Bungie also provided details about the *Marathon Closed Alpha Playtest*, scheduled from April 23 to May 4, exclusively for players in the U.S. and Canada.

Returning to Tau Ceti

*Marathon* marks a bold new direction for the franchise originally launched in 1994. While the original trilogy—comprising *Marathon* (1994), *Marathon 2: Durandal* (1995), and *Marathon Infinity* (1996)—was known for its deep, narrative-driven single-player experience, this latest entry shifts focus to competitive multiplayer gameplay. In the new title, six teams of three players each battle across dynamic maps, engaging both enemy squads and AI-controlled foes to secure loot and complete successful extractions.

Despite this shift, Bungie remains committed to delivering an immersive storytelling experience. As Marathon Narrative Lead Jonathan Goff explained, the team aims to preserve the series’ legacy of experiential storytelling—a signature of Bungie’s past titles. He noted, “The interweaving of narratives, events, and characters in the original trilogy delivered a world of discovery, wonder, and misdirection.” He added, “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.”

Designing a "Story Engine"

During the gameplay reveal, fans observed that *Marathon* places a strong emphasis on in-game economy, with every item having a defined sell value and clear visual indicators showing what can be extracted from the map. However, Bungie clarified that accumulating wealth isn’t the sole objective.

Game Director Joe Ziegler described *Marathon* as a “story engine,” designed to generate memorable moments and lasting experiences—even if a mission ends in failure or empty-handed extraction. Speaking with PC Gamer, Ziegler elaborated on the creative direction: “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?” This philosophy underscores the game's design—success isn't just about surviving, but about creating meaningful, shareable experiences.

Collaboration With Fans and Creators

Throughout development, Bungie has actively engaged with fans and content creators, incorporating community feedback into the game’s evolving design. Early playtests revealed issues such as unfair spawn camping and unpredictable loot distribution, prompting significant adjustments to match structure.

Ziegler shared how player input led to key changes: “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 Details

The *Marathon* closed alpha runs from **April 23 to May 4** and is limited to players residing in the U.S. and Canada. Participants will have access to four distinct Runners: Blackbird, reminiscent of a Warlock; Void, equipped with tactical invisibility; Locus, featuring a deployable shield; and Glitch, known for high mobility.

Three maps will be available during the test: Perimeter, a woodland setting accommodating five crews (15 players); Dire Marsh, an open map supporting six crews (18 players); and one additional map yet to be detailed.

To apply for the alpha, players must join the official *Marathon* Discord server, navigate to the alpha-access channel, and use the command `/alpha`. Invitations are not guaranteed, as this is the first public test of the game.

As of now, no further playtests outside the U.S. and Canada have been confirmed. Stay tuned for future updates as Bungie continues to refine *Marathon* ahead of its September 23, 2025 launch. For more news and insights, keep checking back here at [ttpp]!