Bungie has finally shared a release window for Marathon. The studio confirmed that its upcoming sci-fi extraction shooter will launch in March 2026! Bungie also released a new developer video breaking down the game’s systems and major content.
You can check out the video here:
What Marathon Is All About
In Marathon, players drop into hostile zones to scavenge loot, complete objectives, and extract, all while dealing with enemy players, AI threats, and an unforgiving environment.
The game is going to be a PvPvE survival extraction FPS set in a dark sci-fi universe where you take on the role of bio-cybernetic Runners, scavenging the lost colony of Tau Ceti IV.
Bungie describes the experience as:
- Darker, harsher, and more grounded sci-fi
- A more aggressive take on survival extraction
- Strong environmental storytelling rather than traditional cutscenes
Dead Runners do not just disappear either, their bodies remain in the world and decay over time, adding more immersion to it.
Maps, Zones, and Endgame Content
At launch, Marathon will feature four main zones:
- Perimeter
- Dire Marsh
- Outpost
- Cryo Archive – This one is an endgame challenge located aboard the UESC Marathon ship
Cryo Archive is positioned as a high-risk, high-reward area meant for experienced players looking for a serious challenge.
Gameplay Features and Systems
The new footage and developer commentary confirmed several major features:
- Solo play / Solo queue
- Proximity voice chat
- Rook (Scavenger) mode
- Faction jobs, upgrade trees, and capstone rewards
- Weapons and mods, including deep customization
- Example: turning the Battery SMG into something closer to the Needler
- Improved visuals and overall visual fidelity
- Deeper environmental storytelling
Since the alpha, Bungie says the game has expanded significantly in scope, especially when it comes to loot systems, factions, and player choice. A lot of things changed, and they are still working on many more features as well.
Price and Release Info
Marathon is targeting a “premium-but-lower” entry price:
- $39.99 / €39.99 / £34.99
- Release window: March 2026
No specific day has been announced yet, but this is the clearest release timing the game has had so far.
With confirmed solo play, proximity chat, multiple maps, factions, and a stronger focus on atmosphere, Marathon is starting to look far more defined than it did during early testing. It seems Bungie took into account a ton of player feedback from Alpha, and is really trying to release a better game.
If Bungie delivers on the darker tone and survival tension they are aiming for, Marathon could end up offering a very different, and more intense take on the extraction shooter concept.
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