Bungie has officially dropped new details about Marathon, their upcoming game, including confirmed pricing, new features, improvements, and more. Set for release in March 2026, Marathon has seen significant changes since its initial reveal, including a major shift in response to player feedback and controversies.
Pricing and Battle Pass Details
In a new Marathon update video, Bungie reconfirmed the game's March 2026 release window and provided details on its pricing model. The base game will be available for $39.99 (USD), €39.99 (EUR), and £34.99 (GBP), with regional pricing to be announced closer to launch.
Purchasing Marathon grants players access to the full base game, including free gameplay updates, new maps, Runner shells, seasonal events, and more. Bungie also revealed an important change to the game’s Battle Pass system: Battle Passes will never expire. Players will no longer need to worry about “fear of missing out” (FOMO) as they can purchase and unlock previous Battle Passes at any time. The developers also emphasized that Marathon will be free from pay-to-win mechanics, ensuring that survival and progression are based on skill, not how much money you spend.
Key New Features and Improvements
Marathon has undergone extensive development and playtesting, especially following the initial backlash surrounding plagiarism issues and other player concerns. Bungie has now shared the improvements made since the alpha version, including several new features and enhancements.
Proximity Chat has been added, allowing players to communicate with nearby teammates or enemies, adding a layer of tactical depth and immersion.
A solo queue option will be available for players who prefer to take on the game without teaming up.
Runner Shell "Rook" – A new shell that enables players to enter matches in progress, loot, and escape without too much risk.
The developers also revealed improvements to visual fidelity, with corpses now staying in the match and decaying over time.
Environmental storytelling has been expanded, with more in-game lore and narrative integration in the game world.
Audio plays a crucial role in gameplay, with every sound having a purpose, whether it’s to alert you to an enemy presence or add to the overall immersion of the world.
Maps and Zones
Marathon will feature several distinct Zones, each with its own unique gameplay elements, challenges, and environmental features:
Perimeter: Set on the outskirts of the colony, this map is wide and open, offering players tactical opportunities and dangerous ambushes.
Dire Marsh: A map that provides deeper lore about the game world while focusing on action-packed gameplay.
Outpost: A UESC facility filled with PvE elements like guards, drones, and trip wires, giving players a mix of combat and environmental challenges.
The Marathon Ship’s Cryo Archive: The most dangerous map in the game, requiring top-tier gear and tactics to survive. This map features harsh conditions and high-risk, high-reward gameplay.
Each map will feature dynamic weather systems and random events. These events won’t happen all the time, but when they do, players will be faced with crucial decisions on whether or not to take the risk.
Weapons, Loot, and Customization
Loot in Marathon will be a huge part of the game’s experience, with a variety of items to collect, upgrade, and customize:
Runner cores and implants will play key roles in your character’s loadout.
There are over 400 weapon mods, allowing players to tweak and customize their weapons in creative ways. Bungie demonstrated examples of turning the Battery SMG into a Needler and making your sidearm invisible through mods.
Each of the game’s launch Runner Shells represents an archetype of gameplay that can be upgraded, allowing players to tailor their playstyle.
Additionally, the game features Factions, each with unique jobs and missions. Agents from these Factions might assign tasks like “blow up a UESC dropship,” and completing these will reward players with Factions upgrades and seasonal capstone rewards.
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