Marathon will not be a free-to-play game but a premium title. Learn more about Marathon's pricing and why the developers chose to exclude proximity chat.
Marathon Development Updates
Marathon Will Not Be Free-To-Play
Marathon Director has confirmed that the game will not follow a free-to-play model, but will instead be a premium title. During a live gameplay showcase on April 13, Bungie, the developer behind Marathon, announced the game's release date and unveiled a new gameplay trailer. Although the price remains undisclosed, fans are eager to learn more about its monetization strategy.
In an episode of the Friends Per Second podcast on April 14, Marathon Director Joe Ziegler clarified the game's pricing model, stating, "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 enjoyment, emphasizing the team's commitment to excellence. He remarked, "Everyone’s got their own definition of what is the right price."
Speculation about Marathon's price range has been rampant on social media, with fans sharing their predictions. However, Bungie clarified via a Twitter (X) post on April 13 that Marathon will not be a full-priced title but a premium one, with more pricing details to be announced this summer.
Marathon Will Not Have Proximity Chat
Proximity chat, a feature allowing players to hear each other based on their in-game proximity, has become popular in multiplayer games. It enhances immersion but can also introduce toxicity due to the varied nature of online interactions.
Bungie has decided to exclude proximity chat from Marathon to ensure a safer gaming environment. In a recent interview with PC Gamer, 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 emphasized the team's dedication to creating a safe space for players, noting the lack of a viable solution to the toxicity that proximity chat can bring. While this decision might limit interactions with opposing teams and strategic gameplay in an extraction shooter, Bungie has yet to find a perfect solution. Ziegler concluded, "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 scheduled for release on September 23, 2025, on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC. Stay tuned for the latest updates on the game by checking out our article below!
