Bungie, the legendary studio behind Halo and Destiny, has officially lifted the veil on its latest project, Marathon, its highly anticipated team-based extraction shooter. During today’s Marathon Gameplay Reveal Showcase, fans across the globe were treated to the first look at Alpha gameplay, offering a glimpse into the intense, tactical action awaiting players on the dangerous world of Tau Ceti IV.
Along with the gameplay reveal, Bungie officially announced that Marathon will launch on September 23, 2025, for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC via Steam. The game will feature full cross-play and cross-save, allowing players to team up and carry their progress across platforms. With crossplay and cross-save now essential features in modern multiplayer games, this ensures a seamless and connected experience for all players, no matter where they choose to play.
So far, we don’t have an idea on how much the game costs, as Bungie didn’t mention it during the showcase, but according to several posts I’ve seen, the game won’t be a $70 title. Bungie has stated more information about pricing, and more will be released later.
For those eager to get hands-on early, Bungie revealed that players can now sign up for a chance to participate in the Marathon Closed Alpha. Community interaction is a major focus for the studio, with plans for live developer Q&As, community events, and ongoing feedback sessions hosted via the official Marathon Discord server.
Welcome to the World of Marathon: Tau Ceti IV
Set in the haunting remnants of a lost colony on Tau Ceti IV, Marathon drops players into the boots of cybernetic mercenaries known as Runners. These post-human operatives form three-person crews and engage in high-stakes skirmishes against rival teams and AI-controlled security forces. The goal? Loot, survive, and escape with your hard-earned gear—unless you’re bold enough to push further, toward the mysterious derelict Marathon ship looming above the planet. Yes, this is an extraction shooter, and while we’ve seen several of these before, what Bungie has shown us has me intrigued. Not to mention the entire game has this Tron-aesthetic, and Tron happens to be one of my favorite franchises.
Tau Ceti IV is a world steeped in conflict, mystery, and opportunity. With the colony’s original inhabitants long gone, powerful factions now battle over the remnants of its lost technology and hidden secrets. Enter the Runners—cybernetically enhanced mercenaries who have given up their human forms in pursuit of power, profit, and purpose.
Players will choose from four distinct Runners: Locus, Blackbird, Glitch, and Void—each with their own unique abilities and playstyles. These Runners can be further customized with weapons, implants, and gear scavenged during raids. Whether you prefer to go in guns blazing or slip through the shadows, Marathon rewards smart tactics, fast reflexes, and tight coordination with your squad.
Matches will pit you and 17 other players either solo or in squads of three, capping it off to 18 players. Now, you can play solo if you want, but that would put you at a grave disadvantage, and from what I’ve seen and heard, it doesn’t seem like a via option. However, the option is there for those who like the added challenge.
Bungie is aiming to deliver a deep endgame experience in Marathon, with features like ranked PvP, seasonal storytelling, community-driven events, and regular content updates that will shape the evolving world of Tau Ceti IV. All of it is built on Bungie’s signature FPS combat—tight, responsive, and endlessly satisfying. Whether or not you’re a fan of Halo or Destiny, it’s hard to deny that Bungie’s gunplay consistently ranks among the best in the industry.
As for Marathon, I’m still on the fence—but with this full reveal, I’m definitely intrigued. I’m looking forward to getting some hands-on time and seeing how it all plays out.
