Marathon F2P Rumors Denied, Pricing Reveal Set for Summer

Marathon will not be a free-to-play game but will be a premium title. Dive into the details of Marathon’s pricing model and discover why the developers chose 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 but will instead be offered as a premium title. During a live gameplay showcase on April 13, Bungie, the developers behind Marathon, unveiled the game's release date alongside a new gameplay trailer. While the price remains undisclosed, the community eagerly awaits details on how the game will be monetized.

In an insightful episode of the Friends Per Second podcast aired on April 14, Marathon Director Joe Ziegler clarified that Marathon will not be free-to-play. He emphasized, "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 excellence. He noted, "Everyone’s got their own definition of what is the right price." Fans have been actively speculating on social media about the potential price range of Marathon. However, Bungie clarified via a Twitter (X) post on April 13 that while Marathon won't be a full-priced title, it will still be categorized as a premium game. Further details about pricing are set 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 increasingly popular in multiplayer games. It enhances the immersive experience but also introduces the risk of toxic interactions. Due to these concerns, Bungie has decided not to implement proximity chat in Marathon.

In a recent interview with PC Gamer, Ziegler explained the rationale behind this decision. He said, "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 highlighted the team's commitment to fostering a safe gaming environment and acknowledged the current lack of a viable solution to mitigate the toxicity associated with proximity chat. He noted that while this feature could enrich player interactions, especially in an extraction shooter, the potential for negative experiences outweighs the benefits for now. 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 scheduled for release on September 23, 2025, across PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC. Stay tuned for more updates by checking out our related articles below!