Everything We Know About Marathon — The New Game from the Creators of Halo and Destiny

Bungie has finally revealed gameplay footage of Marathon, their brand-new AAA shooter. On top of that, a lot of new information about the project has surfaced online. We've gathered all the key details in this article.

Marathon is an online extraction shooter. If you've played Escape from Tarkov or Hunt: Showdown, you already have a rough idea of what kind of experience Bungie is aiming for.

In Marathon, players take on the role of so-called Runners. Teams of three are dropped onto a massive map where they must scavenge valuable loot. The goal is to extract successfully and keep your rewards. Along the way, you'll face danger from both other players and hostile NPCs.

Unlike its competitors, Marathon aims for a less "cumbersome" gameplay experience, avoiding overemphasis on realism. True to Bungie’s previous titles, the game focuses on dynamic, even arcade-like gameplay — with responsive controls, high mobility, satisfying low-recoil gunplay (a Bungie trademark), and a simplified inventory system. All of this is designed to lower the entry barrier for newcomers.

Marathon marks the return of a 1990s franchise Bungie worked on before Halo: Combat Evolved. However, this is a complete reimagining of the original universe — not a soft reboot or a sequel.

The story takes place in the year 2893 on a planet located in the Tau Ceti system. According to the lore, it was once home to a thriving colony, but its inhabitants mysteriously vanished. Now, among the ruins, synthetic humans known as Runners and various robots battle for control. Behind the scenes are powerful factions trying to seize the planet’s remaining resources.

Each season of Marathon will unveil more narrative details about the ongoing events, although it’s still unclear exactly how Bungie plans to present the story.

Expeditions on Tau Ceti IV last 25 minutes. As mentioned earlier, players must collect as many resources as possible and make it to the extraction point. When the time comes to leave, all Runners will be notified of the exit location, often resulting in a final showdown among survivors.

Interestingly, direct encounters with other Runners aren’t that frequent during exploration. Gunfights do happen, but the map design and player/NPC balance are tuned in such a way that PvE combat occurs more often than PvP — at least in the current version of the game. This ratio may change by release.

At launch, Marathon will feature four maps with a maximum of 15 players (five teams). Solo play is not available — you’ll have to team up with friends or randoms. Bungie initially considered a solo option but dropped it after internal testing showed players became overly cautious, constantly hiding. That slow-paced gameplay contradicted the studio’s vision — they want Marathon to stand out with its fast tempo compared to other extraction shooters.

Marathon offers six unique characters, each with distinct active and passive abilities. For example, Glith can reach hard-to-access areas using mini jet thrusters. Another Runner, Void, can deploy smoke screens or even turn invisible for short periods to gain a tactical advantage.

As is common in the genre, death during a run means your character is essentially wiped. You lose not only the loot picked up in the match, but also any gear you brought in. It’s that high-risk factor that gives extraction shooters their appeal.

Despite all gear being temporary, Marathon does feature persistent account progression tied to the faction system. You choose a faction and begin receiving contracts — for example, eliminating a set number of enemies or completing in-match events. Finishing these tasks rewards you with reputation points and credits.

Reputation points are used to upgrade character traits, unlock new skins, and get discounts from vendors. Credits, on the other hand, help you buy new equipment on the black market after a failed run.

However, keep in mind that account progression isn’t fully permanent either. At the end of every three-month season, nearly everything resets — perks, weapon stashes, and faction reputation. The only things that remain are skins unlocked during the season.

Marathon is not a free-to-play game — Bungie officially refers to it as a premium title, meaning you’ll have to pay for access. However, despite common misconceptions online, the game won’t launch at $70. Bungie has already confirmed that the final price will be significantly lower. While the exact cost hasn’t been announced, both fans and analysts believe it’ll be around $40.

Naturally, additional monetization methods like battle passes will also be included.

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Critics and players have responded to Marathon with cautious optimism. The project is being praised for its vibrant art style and solid gunplay, but some are concerned about the launch content. Only four maps and six characters? And is Bungie right to slap a price tag on this kind of title?

In any case, we’ll soon know more — closed alpha testing begins on April 23. The full release is scheduled for September 23 this year on PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X/S. You can already check out the minimum system requirements by following this link.

What do you think about the Marathon reveal? Let us know in the comments!