Following a new cinematic trailer at The Game Awards 2025, Bungie has shared new details about Marathon, its upcoming science-fiction shooter. In a dedicated ViDoc, titled “Vision of Marathon.” which Bungie posted on Dec. 15, the company revealed the biggest changes since early testing, the game’s monetization approach, and what players can expect at release.
But beyond that, we got a more solid release window, and the pricing of the upcoming extraction shooter. Here’s what we know now about Marathon:
Bungie confirmed that Marathon will launch globally in March 2026 on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC. The game will release at a price point of $39.99 / €39.99 / £34.99, with additional regional pricing to be announced closer to launch.
According to Bungie, purchasing the game will grant full access to the base experience as well as a planned roadmap of free gameplay updates throughout the year. These updates are expected to include new maps, Runner shells, events, and seasonal content, beginning with Season 1’s focus on exploring the Cryo Archive aboard the UESC Marathon.
Image Credit: Bungie
Marathon is Bungie’s modern reimagining of its classic 1990s franchise of the same name, though the new title departs significantly from its single-player origins. Instead, the game is being developed as a multiplayer survival extraction shooter, placing it in a competitive genre alongside other PvPvE titles.
At its core, Marathon is built around survival extraction gameplay. Players assume the role of “Runners,” mercenaries who transfer their consciousness into synthetic shells designed for combat and scavenging. Each match revolves around entering a hostile environment, gathering loot, completing objectives, and successfully extracting before being eliminated by enemies or other players.
Failure to extract results in the permanent loss of gear acquired during that run, reinforcing the game’s emphasis on risk-reward decision-making. Bungie has stated that the goal is to create tense, high-stakes encounters while maintaining accessibility for different playstyles.
In the ViDoc, Bungie made sure to highlight several additions and refinements made since Marathon’s alpha playtest earlier in the year. One of the most notable additions is proximity voice chat, designed to encourage emergent player interactions during matches. Bungie has also implemented a dedicated solo queue, responding to feedback from players who prefer to experience extraction shooters alone.
Another new feature is the introduction of Rook, a Runner shell built specifically for entering matches already in progress, allowing players to scavenge and extract without starting from the beginning of a session. Visual and audio improvements have also been made, including more detailed environmental storytelling and Runner bodies that persist and decay over time after death.
Image Credit: Bungie
Bungie has outlined four primary zones that will be available in Marathon. Three of these, Perimeter, Dire Marsh, and Outpost, are surface environments designed for standard extraction gameplay. The fourth zone, the Cryo Archive, is located aboard the UESC Marathon and is described as a more challenging, end-game experience.
The studio has emphasized a darker, more grounded science-fiction tone compared to some of its previous titles. Environmental details and audio design are intended to reinforce the sense of isolation and danger within each zone.
The visual design, despite controversy, remains relatively unchanged, albeit with a much darker lighting scale and tone than previously seen.
Customization plays a significant role in Marathon’s progression systems. Players can acquire and modify weapons using various attachments and mods, allowing for different combat approaches. Bungie has also highlighted Runner shell archetypes that support distinct playstyles, giving players flexibility in how they approach matches.
Progression is tied in part to in-game factions, each offering jobs and objectives that contribute to longer-term advancement. Completing faction objectives unlocks upgrade trees and seasonal capstone rewards. The game also features a Codex system that tracks achievements and narrative discoveries, providing cosmetic rewards and additional lore.
Bungie has taken a clear stance on Marathon’s monetization model. The studio has stated that competitive integrity will be preserved and that player success will not be influenced by spending money. While the game will feature seasonal Reward Passes, these passes will not expire, allowing players to purchase and complete them at any time rather than being pressured by limited-time availability.
All gameplay-relevant updates included in the roadmap are planned to be free for players who own the game.
Marathon releases in March 2026. Keep your eyes peeled on Jaxon.gg for all the latest gaming updates.
Featured Image Credit: Bungie
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