Bungie’s upcoming title, Marathon, is set to launch in March 2026, with a retail price of $40 USD. This announcement puts to rest two of the most pressing uncertainties surrounding the game—its release date and pricing structure—while also aligning its price point with Arc Raiders, which shares a similar cost.
Purchasing Marathon grants players full access to the game and its ongoing content updates, which will include new maps, Runner shells, events, and other features. The first season will introduce the UESC Marathon’s Cryo Archive, a significant addition to the game’s universe. Bungie emphasized its commitment to player enjoyment, stating, “We also want to ensure you are logging in because you love the game, not from fear of missing out,” indicating that Marathon’s Rewards Passes will not expire and previous passes can be purchased and unlocked at any time.
The developer also addressed concerns about competitive fairness, assuring players that Marathon will not adopt a pay-to-win model. “Most importantly, we believe in preserving competitive integrity in Marathon, so survival will never come down to how much money you spend,” the company stated in an effort to alleviate potential concerns regarding in-game purchases.
Alongside these details, Bungie released a 22-minute video that delves into various aspects of Marathon. Viewers can expect information on the game’s proximity chat, solo queue options, and the “Rook” Runner shell. The video also showcases improvements in the game’s visual fidelity and provides insights into the weapon and mod systems. As the launch date approaches, Bungie indicated that more gameplay details and “other surprises” will be revealed, maintaining excitement and anticipation within the gaming community.
In June, Bungie delayed Marathon indefinitely following feedback from its alpha tests, prompting questions about the viability of live-service games under its publisher, Sony. In light of a previous setback with Concord, Sony has implemented new systems to ensure that Marathon does not encounter similar challenges. PlayStation boss Hermen Hulst acknowledged that the feedback from the latest alpha was mixed but reiterated the company’s belief that the live-service model offers significant opportunities.
Hulst characterized Concord‘s shortcomings as stemming from its “insufficiently differentiated” nature in an intensely competitive market. He emphasized that the lessons learned from that title would inform the development of Marathon, stating, “We have reviewed our processes in light of this to deeply understand how and why that title failed to meet expectations.” This reflective approach underscores Sony’s commitment to innovation and excellence in the gaming landscape.
Looking ahead, Hulst expressed that the goal for Marathon is to deliver a “very bold, very innovative, and deeply engaging title.” The intention behind conducting alpha tests is to gather player feedback that can be used for iterative improvements, an essential part of successful live-service titles. Hulst noted, “This cycle of test, of iterate, test again, that is such a key component of the live-service success, both leading up to launch but also throughout the life of the game.”
The announcement regarding Marathon‘s pricing and release date follows the resolution of a dispute with an artist who alleged that Bungie had appropriated their work. This development adds an additional layer of interest as the launch approaches. In a recent preview, GameSpot acknowledged the challenges facing Marathon, stating that in a market saturated with free-to-play titles, a paid game with limited content might struggle to inspire confidence among players. However, Bungie’s reputation for quality and innovation may help to mitigate these concerns as it prepares for a significant launch.
