Bungie’s much-awaited extraction shooter, Marathon, will release on September 23, 2025, as a premium title, where players must purchase it at full price without any delay. The reveal, explained in a recent preview by GameSpot, has given fans some topics to discuss regarding the game’s content and price at release.
The game, according to the report, will have a battle pass, three maps on release, and a fourth map that will arrive shortly after the game is out. This arrangement places the game as a premium title in the competitive multiplayer shooter space, differing from the free-to-play model prevalent in the genre.
Although the actual price isn’t confirmed, Bungie has explained through the official Marathon X account that it won’t be a “full-price” $70 game, with more details on pricing to be announced this summer.
Industry rumor, such as commentary from Forbes’ Paul Tassi, puts a possible $40 price tag in line with other high-end live-service titles like Helldivers 2.
What to Expect from Marathon
Marathon is a PvPvE loot shooter in which six groups of three players battle to claim loot and make off with their spoils. The game brings back Bungie’s original 1990s sci-fi IP, combining the studio’s hallmark refined gunplay with a novel class-based system for its playable “Runners.”
The hands-on preview complimented the gameplay as “fun but no-frills,” although it observed the story and character development systems are still unclear and underdeveloped at this point.
The three launch maps should provide diverse environments, with a fourth map teased to come and diversify the experience shortly after launch. But fans have also had fears over map numbers, arguing from reportedly limited sizes based on early hands-on.
Adding a battle pass indicates sustained monetization, although the nature of cosmetics, microtransactions, or seasonally included content remains unannounced.
A Bold Move in a Competitive Market
Bungie’s move to release Marathon as a premium title has been likened to Sony’s recent live-service blunder, Concord, which tanked at a $40 price point.
Marathon is helped, however, by Bungie’s legendary reputation and high alpha demand, with a closed alpha test planned for April 23, 2025. Unlike Concord, Marathon exists in the less crowded extraction shooter genre, perhaps giving it an advantage if the gameplay sticks.
Nevertheless, starting with just three maps and a battle pass in a premium game raised eyebrows, particularly since competitors such as Delta Force have free-to-play versions with similar content.
Enthusiasts on forums like Reddit and NeoGAF have expressed divided opinions, with some hopeful about Bungie’s finish and others doubting the value proposition. “Three maps for an extraction shooter isn’t bad, but it’s a hard sell with a price and battle pass,” wrote one Reddit commenter.
Looking Ahead
Bungie’s Marathon tries to make its mark in extraction shooter territory when it launches on September 23 for PS5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC. The upcoming closed alpha during this month will provide early impressions for players who may influence thoughts of its value.
For now, the player base is hoping for pricing, post-launch info, and additional details on battle pass to measure whether Marathon has the right reasons for its pay model in the midst of all these free-to-play behemoths.
Stay tuned for follow-ups as Bungie shares more information on Marathon’s price and features this summer. Will it run to victory or falter at the starting line? Only time will tell.
