Marathon release window confirmed: Price and gameplay details revealed

The release window for Marathon has been officially revealed by Bungie. The game will be getting a global launch in March 2026. The upcoming first-person extraction shooter created a buzz during the closed technical test, which ended on October 28, 2025. Bungie also revealed footage in which the development team discussed several details about the game, sharing what players can expect.

This article looks at the news surrounding the Marathon release window.

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When is Marathon releasing?

The exact release date for Marathon is yet to be revealed. However, Bungi has surprised the community by releasing gameplay details and a price range for its upcoming title. Marathon will bear a price tag of $39.99, which puts it in the premium segment of FPS games. Developers will also reveal regional pricing before the official release.

According to the Intel blog, purchasing Marathon will provide players with full access to the game and the roadmap of free gameplay updates. The blog mentions new maps, Runner shells, events, and other content updates beginning with the UESC Marathon's Cryo Archive in Season 1.

Battle pass owners can progress without worrying about losing cosmetics, as the game's Rewards Passes will not expire.

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What to expect from Marathon

While a comprehensive roadmap for Marathon is yet to be released, the developers have released a small bit of what players can expect. As per the video document on Marathon's official YouTube handle, the PvPvE game will feature proximity chat, solo queues, and Rook, a runner shell used to scavenge matches in progress.

Sci-fi theme in Bungie's upcoming release (Image via Bungie)

The world of Marathon, along with its sci-fi theme, will emphasize a dark and gritty atmosphere. The story begins when you take on the role of the Runners, who can transfer their consciousness into different shells, each with its own set of capabilities.

Marathon doesn't falter in delivering a graphical spectacle with its improved visual fidelity and immersion. The game incorporates themes of realism, emphasizing small details like the corpse of dead Runners, which will decay over time. Its immersive audio is designed to provide a cinematic experience while clarifying various sounds.

Perimeter zone in-game (Image via Bungie)

The game features four distinct maps called zones, including Perimeter, Dire Marsh, and Outpost. Another zone called Cryo Archive is deemed the final challenge and designed to test players' mettle, featuring an onslaught of PvE enemies and the threat of elimination from the top opponent squads.

The weapon system will allow players to customize their weapons and create unique loadouts. The introduction of Runner Shells adds a new layer to the gameplay. These shells are essentially bodies that players can equip depending on their preferred playstyle. The game bundles various archetypes, ranging from Destroyer, Recon, and Thief.

Factions in-game (Image via Bungie)

Marathon features six new factions: Arachne, Cybercrime, Sekiguchi, Traxus, and Mida. Each faction has an upgrade tree and unlockable capstones, which are special upgrades that can increase the base stats of a character. Every group has its own lore, contracts, and permanent account-wide perks and upgrades for completing missions and gaining reputation.

Lastly, the Codex menu is a collection of Runner's achievements and story discoveries. Players can earn Codex progress and gain access to in-game lore and cosmetic rewards.

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That covers everything we know about the Marathon release window and gameplay details.

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