Marathon will not be a free-to-play game but will instead be offered as a premium title. Dive deeper to discover Marathon's pricing strategy and the reasoning 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 be a premium title rather than a free-to-play offering. During a live gameplay showcase on April 13, hosted by Bungie, the developers unveiled Marathon's release date alongside a new gameplay trailer. While the exact price remains under wraps, fans are eager to learn about the game's monetization model.
In a detailed discussion on the Friends Per Second podcast on April 14, Marathon Director Joe Ziegler clarified that the game will not follow the free-to-play model. 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 enhancing it further. He noted, "Everyone’s got their own definition of what is the right price."
Speculation about Marathon's pricing has been rife on social media, with fans sharing their predictions. Bungie addressed these rumors via a Twitter (X) post on April 13, clarifying that Marathon will not be a full-priced game but a premium one. The studio plans to reveal more details about its pricing strategy this summer.
Marathon Will Not Have Proximity Chat
Proximity chat, a feature allowing players to hear others based on their in-game proximity, has become increasingly popular in multiplayer games for its immersive qualities. However, it also introduces potential for toxic interactions, as players can encounter both friendly and offensive comments.
Bungie has decided to forgo proximity chat in Marathon to maintain a safe gaming environment. In an interview with PC Gamer, Ziegler explained the team's stance, 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 highlighted the team's commitment to player safety and acknowledged the current lack of a viable solution to manage the toxicity that proximity chat can bring. This decision might limit opportunities for strategic interaction with opposing teams in this extraction shooter.
Despite the potential benefits of proximity chat, Bungie has yet to devise a satisfactory solution to mitigate its downsides. 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, and will be available on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC. Keep an eye on our updates for the latest news on Marathon!
