Bungie’s Marathon Gets Release Window: Pricing, and New Features Revealed

Bungie has finally shared fresh information about its upcoming extraction shooter Marathon, confirming a March 2026 release window for PlayStation 5, PC, and Xbox Series X|S.

The studio also outlined pricing, gameplay improvements, and new systems in a recently released “Vision of Marathon” ViDoc, shared via blog and YouTube.

Bungie confirms Marathon release window, pricing

Pricing and Battle Passes

Marathon will launch at $39.99 / €39.99 / £34.99, with regional pricing to be announced closer to release.

Bungie confirmed that Battle Passes will never expire, meaning players can unlock rewards at their own pace and even purchase past passes.

Importantly, the studio emphasized that “survival will never come down to how much money you spend,” ruling out pay‑to‑win mechanics.

Story and Gameplay

The game is set on the ruined colony of Tau Ceti IV, where players take on the role of bio‑cybernetic Runners scavenging for loot while battling rival squads and hostile UESC forces. Each match is designed as a high‑stakes PvPvE run, where players must decide how far to push before extracting. According to Bungie, the game emphasizes tension and risk, blending fast gunplay with tactical decision‑making.

Maps and Locations

The ViDoc showcased several key zones:

• Perimeter — the starting area on the colony’s outskirts.

• Dire Marsh — anomaly‑twisted terrain demanding coordination and awareness.

• Outpost — a fortified UESC base dominated by the massive “Pinwheel” structure, filled with drones, traps, and tight angles.

• Cryo Archive (UESC ship) — endgame missions where players raid frozen vaults against tougher enemies. The mysterious seventh vault hints at deeper narrative threads.

New Features and Improvements

Since the alpha, Bungie has introduced several systems:

• Proximity voice chat for nearby squad communication.

• Solo queues and the Rook scavenger shell to support lone players.

• Visual fidelity upgrades, with corpses persisting and decaying over time to enhance environmental storytelling.

• Audio immersion, with Bungie stressing that every sound carries gameplay significance.

Customization and Factions

Players can experiment with over 400 weapon mods, Runner cores, and implants. Bungie demonstrated how mods can transform weapons — such as turning the Battery SMG into a needler or enabling invisibility with sidearm upgrades. Runner shells act as archetypes of playstyles, each upgradeable to suit different strategies.

Factions also play a role, assigning missions like destroying UESC dropships. Each faction features upgrade trees and seasonal capstone rewards, adding depth to progression.

Roadmap

Bungie plans to expand Marathon with new maps, Runner shells, and events throughout the year. More details on seasonal content and the roadmap are expected in January 2026.