Marathon F2P Rumors Debunked; Pricing Reveal Set for Summer

Marathon will not be a free-to-play game but instead will be released as a premium title. Dive deeper to discover more about Marathon's pricing strategy and the developers' decision to exclude proximity chat.

Marathon Development Updates

Marathon Will Not Be Free-To-Play

Marathon Director has officially confirmed that the game will not follow the free-to-play model but will be available as a premium title. Bungie, the developers behind Marathon, showcased live gameplay on April 13, unveiling the game's release date alongside a new trailer. However, the exact pricing remains undisclosed, sparking curiosity among fans about the game's monetization strategy.

During an episode of the Friends Per Second podcast on April 14, Marathon Director Joe Ziegler clarified that the game won't be free-to-play. He remarked, "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. He added, "Everyone’s got their own definition of what is the right price."

Community speculation on Marathon's price has been rampant, with fans sharing their guesses on social media. Bungie took to Twitter (X) on April 13 to clarify 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 allowing players to communicate based on their in-game proximity, has become a staple in many multiplayer games, enhancing immersion and interaction. However, the feature often introduces the risk of toxic behavior due to the mixed player base.

Bungie decided against including proximity chat in Marathon. In an interview with PC Gamer, Ziegler explained the reasoning behind this decision: "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."

The team at Bungie is focused on fostering a safe gaming environment and currently lacks a solution to mitigate the toxicity that proximity chat can bring. This omission might affect the tactical gameplay in an extraction shooter like Marathon, where negotiating with opposing teams can be crucial.

Despite the challenges, Bungie continues to explore solutions for implementing proximity chat safely. 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 slated for release on September 23, 2025, on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC. Stay tuned for the latest updates on the game by checking out our related articles below!