Bungie’s ‘Marathon’ Launches in March 2026
▼ Summary
– Chance Townsend is a Mashable editor covering tech and culture, with a Master’s in Journalism and writing in other major publications.
– Bungie’s new game, Marathon, is a modern PvPvE extraction shooter releasing on March 5 for $39.99 on major platforms.
– The game is a reimagining of a 1990s IP, featuring three-player squads scavenging loot in 2850 against AI and other players.
– Its release was delayed from September after alpha feedback cited issues like a cluttered UI and sluggish pace, prompting core reworks.
– The launch follows a plagiarism controversy over art assets and occurs in a competitive market, with high stakes for Sony after recent multiplayer failures.
The highly anticipated revival of a classic franchise now has a confirmed launch window. Bungie’s Marathon, a complete reimagining of its 1990s first-person shooter, is scheduled for release on March 5, 2026. Priced at $39.99, the game will be available on Xbox Series X|S, PlayStation 5, and PC. This project represents the studio’s first entirely new intellectual property launch since Destiny 2 debuted in 2017, shifting the original’s linear narrative into the popular extraction shooter genre.
Set in the distant future of the year 2850, players assume the role of Runners. These operatives form three-person squads deployed into dangerous zones. The core gameplay loop involves scavenging for valuable loot while surviving threats from both AI-controlled enemies and other player teams. This PvPvE structure is a significant departure from the story-focused experience of the 1994 original.
The road to this March date has not been without its challenges. Initially planned for a September 2024 release, the game was delayed last June. This decision followed an alpha playtest that generated mixed to negative reactions from participants. Common criticisms included a cluttered user interface, underwhelming gunplay, and a general pace that felt slow compared to established competitors in the extraction shooter space. Bungie positioned the delay as a necessary step to refine these core systems rather than pushing forward with an unfinished product.
Separately, the development team navigated a controversy regarding original artwork. An independent artist publicly identified that several in-game assets, such as decals and signage, bore a striking resemblance to their own creations. Bungie acknowledged the issue after it was raised. By December, the artist indicated via social media that a satisfactory agreement had been reached between herself, the studio, and publisher Sony.
The launch carries considerable weight for Sony Interactive Entertainment. Following the high-profile commercial disappointment of other multiplayer titles like Concord, the publisher has clear incentive to ensure Marathon is thoroughly polished. The new release date places the game nearly six months behind its original schedule and into a competitive landscape that has since welcomed successful new entries like Arc Raiders. Whether Bungie’s ambitious extraction shooter can secure a lasting audience is the central question, one that players will finally begin to answer next March.
(Source: Mashable)
