Marathon will not be a free-to-play game but instead will be offered as a premium title. Dive deeper to understand Marathon's pricing strategy and the rationale behind the developers' decision to exclude proximity chat.

Marathon Development Updates

Marathon Will Not Be Free-To-Play

Marathon's Director has officially confirmed that the game will not adopt a free-to-play model, opting instead for a premium release. During Bungie's live gameplay showcase on April 13, the team unveiled the game's release date and shared an exciting new gameplay trailer. While the price remains under wraps, fans are eager to learn more about the game's monetization plans.

In a revealing episode of the Friends Per Second podcast on April 14, Marathon Director Joe Ziegler clarified the game's pricing stance. He remarked, "We’re hoping that what we’re showing is exciting enough that someone is going to take the leap with us, but we are also committed to delivering on seasons past this that will continuously offer to evolve the game without an increase to the box price."

Ziegler expressed confidence in the game's current state and the team's dedication to enhancing its appeal. He noted, "Everyone’s got their own definition of what is the right price." Speculation about Marathon's pricing has been rampant on social media, with fans sharing their estimates. However, Bungie clarified via a Twitter (X) post on April 13 that Marathon will not be a full-priced game but rather a premium offering, with more detailed pricing information to be announced this summer.

Marathon Will Not Have Proximity Chat

Proximity chat, a feature that allows players to communicate based on their in-game proximity, has become a staple in many multiplayer games, enhancing the immersion and interactivity of the experience. However, the inclusion of proximity chat often brings challenges related to player behavior, with the potential for toxicity overshadowing the benefits.

This concern led Bungie to omit proximity chat from Marathon. In an interview with PC Gamer, Ziegler explained the decision, stating, "When it comes to prox chat, I don't think we're against the experience of it, to be fair. I think the challenge is how to make sure we're creating a safe environment for players inside of that space."

Ziegler emphasized the team's commitment to fostering a safe gaming environment and acknowledged the current lack of a satisfactory solution to the issues proximity chat can introduce. While this decision might limit some interactive elements, particularly in an extraction shooter where communication with opposing teams could be strategic, Bungie remains cautious. Ziegler concluded, "I think that's where we stand right now. Like, if it was magical and we could somehow come up with that solution, I think we totally would do it. But right now, it is a challenge that many companies are trying to figure out."

Marathon is slated for release on September 23, 2025, and will be available on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC. Stay tuned for further updates by checking out our related articles below!