(Image credit: Bungie)
Bungie has announced that the much-anticipated Marathon reboot will launch a closed beta later this month, ahead of its official release for PC, PS5, and Xbox Series X on September 23. Unlike the previous games from the 1990s, Marathon will return as a multiplayer extraction shooter where a trio of Runners aim to loot the planet Tau Ceti IV and survive to keep their gains.
If you’re eager to dive into this competitive looting experience early, a closed alpha playtest is set for April 23. You can register for this exciting opportunity via the game’s official Discord server. During the recent gameplay deep dive, Bungie highlighted its commitment to evolving the game with player feedback for both launch and beyond.
In September, players will have a choice of six customizable characters and three maps, with a fourth one debuting shortly after launch. The upcoming additions include the UESC Marathon ship, boasting novel “raid-like” mechanics, as noted by game director Joe Ziegler during a Q&A session attended by GamesRadar+. Our preview of Marathon praised its gunplay, predicting a standout experience reminiscent of Helldivers 2 and Concord.
Interestingly, Marathon will not follow the free-to-play model. While Bungie has yet to confirm the exact cost at launch, it’s consistent with other recent live service releases by Sony, such as Helldivers 2 and Concord. Seasons will span approximately three months, resetting progress each time. Bungie promises significant updates with each new season, designed to draw players back into a dynamic world.
Significantly, Marathon avoids Helldivers 2’s pitfall, as Bungie ensures that players won’t require a PSN account on PC and Xbox, allowing greater accessibility across platforms.