Marathon Finally Launches in March After Bungie Delay
▼ Summary
– Bungie’s upcoming extraction shooter, Marathon, has been delayed again and is now scheduled to launch in March 2026.
– The studio is targeting a price of $39.99, which will grant full access to the game and a roadmap of free updates.
– The delay follows feedback from an alpha test, after which Bungie has been iterating on the game based on player input.
– To prevent player anxiety, the game’s “Rewards Passes” will not expire and past passes will be available for purchase.
– Bungie promises competitive integrity, stating that success in the game will not be determined by how much money a player spends.
After a significant delay, Bungie has officially announced a new launch window for its highly anticipated extraction shooter, Marathon. The game is now targeting a release in March 2026, a shift from its originally planned September debut. According to a recent studio blog post, the title is expected to carry a price point of $39.99. This purchase will grant players complete access to the core game, alongside a planned roadmap of free gameplay updates that will roll out throughout the year.
The decision to push the launch back was made in June, following extensive feedback from an alpha playtest conducted in April. Since that initial testing phase, Bungie has been diligently refining the experience based on player input. The development team has been collaborating with a dedicated community, using each subsequent closed playtest as an opportunity to gather honest critiques on the game’s mechanics and direction. This iterative process has already led to the introduction of new features, including proximity chat and a dedicated solo queue option for players who prefer to venture into the game’s dangerous landscapes alone.
Bungie is implementing several player-friendly systems designed to foster a fair and engaging long-term environment. A key feature is the game’s “Rewards Passes,” which are designed to eliminate player anxiety about missing out on content. These passes will not expire, and players will have the opportunity to purchase previous seasons’ passes at their convenience. Furthermore, the studio has made a firm commitment regarding competitive balance, stating a core belief in preserving the game’s competitive integrity. They have assured the community that success in Marathon will be determined by skill and strategy, not financial investment, emphasizing that survival will never be contingent on how much money a player spends.
(Source: The Verge)
