Marathon Pricing Reveal in Summer, F2P Rumor Denied

Marathon will be a premium paid title, not a free-to-play game. Continue reading for details on Marathon's upcoming pricing and the developer's decision to omit proximity chat.

Marathon Development Update

Marathon Will Be a Premium Purchase

Marathon's director has officially confirmed the game will launch as a premium title, not as a free-to-play experience. During a live gameplay event on April 13, Bungie showcased new gameplay footage and announced the release date. While the studio has not yet disclosed the price, fans are eager to learn about the monetization strategy.

In a Friends Per Second podcast episode on April 14, Marathon Director Joe Ziegler clarified the game’s business model, stating: "We believe the experience we’re creating will be compelling enough for players to join us. Beyond launch, we're dedicated to expanding the game through seasonal updates at no additional cost beyond the initial purchase."

Ziegler expressed confidence in the game’s current quality and emphasized the team’s commitment to continued improvement. "Everyone has their own perspective on what constitutes fair pricing," he noted.

Fans have begun speculating on social media about Marathon’s potential price. Bungie clarified via a Twitter post on April 13 that the game would be a premium offering, though not at a standard full retail price. More specific pricing information will be announced this summer.

Proximity Chat Will Not Be Included

Proximity chat has become a popular feature in many recent multiplayer titles, allowing players to communicate based on their in-game distance for a more dynamic, immersive experience. However, open voice chat can also introduce toxic behavior, ranging from friendly banter to offensive comments.

Due to these concerns, Bungie has decided against implementing proximity chat in Marathon. In an interview with PC Gamer, Ziegler explained the reasoning: "We're not opposed to the concept of proximity chat itself. The primary challenge is ensuring it contributes to a safe and positive environment for all players."

Ziegler emphasized the team's focus on player safety and acknowledged that they currently lack a solution to fully prevent toxicity in proximity chat. This omission, however, does limit certain social interactions, such as negotiations between rival squads in an extraction shooter setting.

For the time being, Bungie has no plans to include the feature until an effective moderation solution is found. Ziegler added, "If we could magically solve the safety concerns, we would certainly consider it. But like many other developers, we're still searching for the right approach."

Marathon is scheduled to launch on September 23, 2025, for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC. Stay informed with the latest updates by checking our article below.