‘Marathon’ Release Date Leak Confirmed as Real
▼ Summary
– Bungie’s game Marathon has an official release date of March 5, 2026, confirmed after a trailer leak.
– A free open beta for Marathon is scheduled for late February, serving as a key test of player interest before the $40 launch.
– The game’s development has been challenging, involving a director change, a major overhaul, and a poorly received initial debut.
– Marathon will launch on PS5, PC, and Xbox, fulfilling Bungie’s cross-platform commitment despite being a Sony-published title.
– The game’s success is uncertain, as it may benefit from or compete with the popular extraction shooter ARC Raiders.
The official release date for Bungie’s Marathon has been confirmed as March 5, 2026, following a widespread leak of the game’s announcement trailer. This confirmation comes directly from sources close to the development and is substantiated by Bungie’s own actions, as the company began issuing copyright takedowns for the leaked footage across social media platforms. The trailer’s premature appearance on Xbox consoles provided the first concrete date outside the previously announced March window, prompting Bungie to move its official marketing plans forward.
Pre-orders for the $40 extraction shooter are now live, roughly six weeks ahead of the launch. This marks a significant moment in the game’s recent promotional campaign, which began after its delay from last fall. The push has included numerous gameplay reveals and a well-received documentary detailing its character classes. Despite this positive momentum, the title still faces considerable challenges in a competitive market.
A critical component of its pre-launch strategy will be a free open beta, currently scheduled for late February. This trial period is standard for the genre and serves as a vital gauge of player interest, especially since it removes the financial barrier of the full purchase. However, success in a beta does not always translate to strong launch sales, as seen with other titles in the space. For instance, the rival game ARC Raiders saw its player count more than double upon official release compared to its free trial, a rare outcome that Marathon will hope to replicate.
This launch represents a pivotal moment for Bungie. Marathon has been in development for over five years, predating the studio’s acquisition by Sony, and has endured a turbulent journey including a change in leadership, a major design overhaul, and a poorly received initial reveal last summer that was marred by plagiarism allegations. The current marketing effort has been met with a more favorable response, suggesting the project is finally building momentum.
The impact of the successful ARC Raiders on Marathon’s prospects remains unclear. Marathon could benefit by launching at a point when players are seeking a fresh experience, or it could struggle to attract an audience already invested in a competing title within the same niche. Its March 5 release date falls within Sony’s projected fourth-quarter window, arriving with just under a month to spare. In line with Bungie’s commitment to cross-platform play, the game will launch simultaneously on PS5, PC, and Xbox. The official, high-quality trailer is now available for viewing, allowing interested players to make their decision ahead of next year’s release.
(Source: Forbes)
