Marathon will not be a free-to-play game but a premium title. Dive deeper to explore Marathon’s pricing strategy and understand why the developers have chosen to exclude proximity chat.

Marathon Development Updates

Marathon Will Not Be Free-To-Play

Marathon Director has confirmed that the game will not follow the free-to-play model but will instead be a premium title. During Bungie's live gameplay showcase on April 13, the developers unveiled the game’s release date and showcased a new gameplay trailer. However, specifics about Marathon's price remain undisclosed, sparking curiosity among fans about its monetization strategy.

In the April 14 episode of the Friends Per Second podcast, Marathon Director Joe Ziegler clarified that the game isn't a free-to-play title. He stated, "We’re hoping that what we’re showing is exciting enough that someone is going to take the leap with us, but we are also committed to delivering on seasons past this that will continuously offer to evolve the game without an increase to the box price."

Ziegler expressed confidence in the game’s current state of enjoyability and emphasized the team's dedication to enhancing the experience. "Everyone’s got their own definition of what is the right price," he noted.

Fan speculation on Marathon's pricing has been rampant on social media. Bungie, however, clarified via a Twitter (X) post on April 13 that Marathon will not be a full-priced title but a premium one. They promised to reveal more pricing details this summer.

Marathon Will Not Have Proximity Chat

Proximity chat, a feature allowing players to communicate based on in-game proximity, has become prevalent in modern multiplayer games, enhancing immersion and interaction. Yet, it also opens the door to potential toxicity, which can mar the gaming experience.

Bungie has decided against including proximity chat in Marathon due to these concerns. In an interview with PC Gamer, Joe Ziegler explained the decision, stating, "When it comes to prox chat, I don't think we're against the experience of it, to be fair. I think the challenge is how to make sure we're creating a safe environment for players inside of that space."

Ziegler highlighted the team's commitment to fostering a safe gaming environment and acknowledged the current lack of a satisfactory solution to manage the toxicity that proximity chat can introduce. While this decision impacts the ability to interact and strategize with opposing teams, particularly in an extraction shooter like Marathon, Bungie remains open to revisiting the feature if a viable solution is found. Ziegler remarked, "I think that's where we stand right now. Like, if it was magical and we could somehow come up with that solution, I think we totally would do it. But right now, it is a challenge that many companies are trying to figure out."

Marathon is slated for release on September 23, 2025, and will be available on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC. Keep an eye on our updates for the latest news on Marathon!