Marathon F2P Rumors Dispelled, Pricing Info Coming Summer

Marathon will launch as a premium game, not free-to-play. Discover more about its pricing structure and the developer's decision to exclude proximity chat.

Marathon Development Updates

Marathon Will Not Be Free-To-Play

Marathon's creative director has officially confirmed the game won't follow a free-to-play model. During a recent gameplay showcase on April 13, Bungie revealed the release date and premiered new gameplay footage, though pricing details remain undisclosed.

In an April 14 interview on the Friends Per Second podcast, Director Joe Ziegler explained: "We're confident our offering will justify players' investment, while our seasonal updates will evolve the experience without additional costs beyond the initial purchase."

Ziegler emphasized the team's focus on quality: "While price perceptions vary, we're committed to delivering exceptional value." Bungie clarified via Twitter on April 13 that Marathon will not carry full AAA pricing, with more details coming this summer.

Proximity Chat Excluded From Marathon

While proximity chat has become common in multiplayer titles, Bungie has opted against implementing this feature in Marathon due to concerns about toxic player interactions.

Ziegler told PC Gamer: "We're not opposed to proximity chat conceptually, but prioritizing player safety remains our top concern. Currently, we lack effective solutions to mitigate abuse potential within this system."

The director acknowledged the feature's potential benefits for strategic gameplay in extraction shooters, but noted: "Like many developers, we're still searching for solutions to this industry-wide challenge. Until then, we're erring on the side of player protection."

Marathon launches September 23, 2025 for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC. For ongoing updates about the game, continue reading our coverage.