Marathon F2P Rumors Debunked; Pricing Reveal Set for Summer

Marathon will not be a free-to-play game; instead, it will be offered as a premium title. Dive deeper into Marathon's pricing strategy and the developers' decision to exclude proximity chat from the game.

Marathon Development Updates

Marathon Will Not Be Free-To-Play

Marathon Director confirmed that the game will be a premium title rather than free-to-play. During a live gameplay showcase on April 13, Bungie, the developers behind Marathon, unveiled the game's release date and showcased a new gameplay trailer. However, the pricing details remain undisclosed, leaving fans eager to understand the monetization model.

In an episode of the Friends Per Second podcast on April 14, Marathon Director Joe Ziegler clarified, "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 remarked, "Everyone’s got their own definition of what is the right price."

Speculation about Marathon's price has been rampant on social media, with fans sharing their predictions. Bungie addressed these rumors via a Twitter (X) post on April 13, stating that Marathon will not be a full-priced title but a premium one, with more pricing details 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 common in multiplayer games. While it enhances immersion and interaction, it also brings the risk of toxicity, as players can hear both friendly and offensive comments.

Bungie decided to exclude proximity chat from Marathon to maintain a safe environment for players. In an interview with PC Gamer, Joe Ziegler explained, "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 emphasized the team's commitment to fostering a safe space, admitting that they have yet to find a solution to mitigate the toxicity associated with proximity chat. This decision impacts the gameplay experience, particularly in an extraction shooter where communication with opposing teams could be strategic.

Bungie continues to search for the ideal solution, as Ziegler noted, "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. Stay updated with the latest news on Marathon by checking out our related articles below!