Bungie’s highly anticipated new title, Marathon, marks the studio’s first major release in over ten years. This reimagining of their original game, which also shares the name Marathon, was showcased in an event that provided a deeper look at its gameplay mechanics and revealed the official release date.
Release Date and Gameplay Insights
Scheduled for launch on September 23, 2025, Marathon will be available on Xbox Series X/S, PlayStation 5, and PC. For those eager to experience the game ahead of its official launch, a closed alpha test will commence later this month. Interested players can secure a spot by joining the official Marathon Discord server.
Development Team Showcase
The livestream event featured a panel with key developers, including game director Joe Zeigler and art director Joseph Cross, who discussed their experiences while developing Marathon. In addition to panel discussions, trailers highlighted gameplay, culminating in a 20-minute video that presented direct gameplay footage from select content creators, providing a clearer understanding of the game’s mechanics.
Character Diversity and Playstyles
Marathon introduces players to seven distinct characters known as Runners: Void, Glitch, Blackbird, and Locus. Each Runner possesses unique abilities that influence gameplay; however, players can customize their loadouts and weapon choices, allowing for varied play styles across different gameplay experiences.
Narrative and Multiplayer Focus
The game will unfold its narrative over seasonal updates, reflecting its design as a multiplayer-centric experience with no dedicated single-player campaign. Players have the option to solo-queue if they prefer not to team up with others, ensuring that anyone can engage with the game, whether alone or in groups.
Potential and Community Expectations
While Marathon presents familiar elements from the first-person shooter genre, Bungie’s unique approach and artistic style could refresh the extraction shooter concept. However, the game’s success will largely depend on its execution and community reception, as many await further details, including the pricing structure for this new title.