Marathon (2025 video game)
Marathon | |
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Developer(s) | Bungie |
Publisher(s) | Bungie |
Director(s) | Joe Ziegler |
Designer(s) |
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Artist(s) | Joseph Cross |
Series | Marathon |
Platform(s) | |
Release |
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Genre(s) | First-person shooter |
Mode(s) | Multiplayer |
Marathon is an upcoming first-person shooter video game developed and published by Bungie. Announced in May 2023, the game is a reboot of Bungie’s original Marathon series, which began in 1994. The new Marathon is being developed as a multiplayer extraction shooter with a focus on player versus player (PvP) gameplay, and loot extraction mechanics. It is set to be released in September 2025 for PlayStation 5, Windows and Xbox Series X/S.[1]
Gameplay
[edit]Marathon is a first-person multiplayer extraction shooter. It is set on the planet Tau Ceti IV in the year 2850, where human colonists from the UESC Marathon, a colony ship constructed out of the Martian moon Deimos, had started a new colony. Some event caused the majority of the colonists to disappear, and the remaining survivors have formed factions to scavenge the colony for supplies. These factions have hired "Runners", humans who have given up their body in favor of specialized cybernetic ones, to infiltrate the colony, fight against both rival Runners and alien forces on the planet, and retrieve valuable artifacts, data, and resources.[2]
Each match centers around deploying into a shared environment, searching for loot, and attempting to successfully extract before being eliminated by enemy players or environmental threats. Gameplay is primarily focused on player-versus-player (PvP) encounters, though the game also features player-versus-environment (PvE) elements, including AI-controlled enemies and hazards.[3] The game will feature up to six three-player teams in each match, though players can also participate as a solo or duo operatives at a competitive disadvantage.[4][2] Players navigate a hostile world, balancing risk and reward. Items collected during a match are permanently lost if the player fails to extract successfully, while items collected on successful extractions can be used for future matches.[5][2]
Rather than a traditional single-player campaign, Marathon incorporates evolving narrative elements that are shaped by player actions and decisions over time.[6] These changes unfold across in-game seasons and events.[7][2] Players will have access to customization options, including different character builds, weapons, gear, and abilities.[8] The game supports both solo and team-based play, with tactics and coordination being central to success. Bungie has confirmed that Marathon will include full cross-platform play and cross-save functionality across platforms.[9]
Development
[edit]Marathon is Bungie's first major new title since becoming a subsidiary of Sony Interactive Entertainment in 2022, and its first entirely original project in over a decade following the Destiny series.[10] Bungie revealed Marathon at the PlayStation 2023 Showcase on May 24, 2023.[11] In August 2024, Bungie underwent a restructuring, resulting in the layoff of approximately 17% of its workforce, which impacted the development timeline of Marathon.[12]
According to game director Joe Ziegler, Marathon is not intended to replace Bungie's ongoing Destiny 2, which is primarily focused on player-versus-environment (PvE) rather than player-versus-player (PvP) combat. Ziegler said "We believe that Destiny 2 has a future, and the team working on it has been working really hard to understand what players' needs are. But if you like Destiny, and you happen to like a lot of PvP sandbox experiences, and those are other games that you play, then we think that that Marathon could be something very exciting for you."[13]
In April 2025, Bungie launched an alternate reality game (ARG) that teased art assets and information about Marathon. Players solved the ARG to discover the date for a planned gameplay reveal livestream on April 12, 2025.[14] In addition to the gameplay trailer, Bungie unveiled a longer narrative trailer for the game directed by Alberto Mielgo.[15] A closed alpha test is planned from April 23, 2025.
Marathon is planned for release on September 23, 2025, for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, and PC, with full cross-play and cross-save support planned.[4][16] The game will not require a PlayStation account for playing on Windows or Xbox systems, in contrast with several other Sony-backed games published in 2024 such as Helldivers II.[17]
References
[edit]- ^ Plant, Logan (May 25, 2023). "Marathon: Bungie Hid a Ton of Secrets in Reveal Trailer, Including a Mini Video Documentary". IGN. Retrieved April 7, 2025.
- ^ a b c d Warren, Tom (April 12, 2025). "Bungie's slick-looking Marathon shooter arrives on September 23rd". The Verge. Retrieved April 12, 2025.
- ^ Norris, Jesse 'Doncabesa' (April 6, 2025). "Marathon gameplay reveal coming next weekend". XboxEra. Retrieved April 7, 2025.
- ^ a b Middler, Jordan (April 12, 2025). "Marathon release date revealed in first gameplay trailer". Video Games Chronicle. Retrieved April 12, 2025.
- ^ West, Josh; Gould-Wilson, Jasmine; Betts, Emma-Jane (May 24, 2023). "Marathon: Everything we know so far". GamesRadar+. Retrieved April 7, 2025.
- ^ "Bungie shares updates on Marathon development as playtests set to expand in 2025". MEFMobile. March 11, 2025. Retrieved April 7, 2025.
- ^ Ali, Zuhaad (March 8, 2025). "Bungie's Marathon Will Feature In-Game Seasonal Events, New Job Listing Reveals". The Game Post. Retrieved April 7, 2025.
- ^ Tassi, Paul (September 18, 2024). "New 'Marathon' Details On Heroes, Price And Radio Silence". Forbes. Retrieved April 7, 2025.
- ^ Norris, Rory (May 25, 2023). "Is Marathon crossplay?". The Loadout. Retrieved April 7, 2025.
- ^ "Bungie Unveils Revival of Marathon Series at PlayStation Showcase". CG Master Academy. Retrieved April 7, 2025.
- ^ Minotti, Mike (May 24, 2023). "Bungie and PlayStation resurrect Marathon". VentureBeat. Retrieved April 7, 2025.
- ^ Parrish, Ash (July 31, 2024). "Bungie is laying off 220 employees and moving others to PlayStation". The Verge. Retrieved April 7, 2025.
- ^ Lewis, Catherine (April 12, 2025). "'We don't expect Marathon to become Destiny 3': Bungie reckons 'if you are a Destiny player who's not really interested in any PvP,' Marathon is 'probably not the game for you'". GamesRadar+. Retrieved April 12, 2025.
- ^ Hore, Jamie (April 4, 2025). "Major Marathon news feels imminent as Bungie and Sony post cryptic teasers". PCGamesN. Retrieved April 12, 2025.
- ^ Clark, Tim (April 12, 2025). "Bungie hired an Oscar winner to make Marathon's stunning 8-minute short, but only real sci-fi nerds will spot the cult movie that inspired it". PC Gamer. Retrieved April 12, 2025.
- ^ Yin-Poole, Wesley (April 4, 2025). "Bungie's Marathon Finally Emerges From the Shadows to Tease… Something". IGN. Retrieved April 7, 2025.
- ^ Smith, Ed (April 11, 2025). "After Helldivers 2 PSN controversy, Bungie takes firm stance on new FPS Marathon". PCGamesN. Retrieved April 11, 2025.
External links
[edit]- Upcoming video games scheduled for 2025
- Bungie games
- First-person shooters
- Science fantasy video games
- Sony Interactive Entertainment games
- First-person shooter multiplayer online games
- Video games developed in the United States
- Multiplayer video games
- PlayStation 5 games
- Video game reboots
- Windows games
- Xbox Series X and Series S games