Marathon F2P Rumors Debunked; Pricing Announcement This Summer

Marathon will not be a free-to-play game but will be a premium title. Dive deeper to understand Marathon's pricing strategy and the rationale behind the developers' decision to exclude proximity chat.

Marathon Development Updates

Marathon Will Not Be Free-To-Play

The Marathon Director has officially debunked the free-to-play rumors, confirming that the game will launch as a premium title. During a live gameplay showcase on April 13, Bungie, the developers behind Marathon, not only announced the game's release date but also unveiled a new gameplay trailer. However, the pricing details remain under wraps, sparking curiosity among fans about the monetization strategy.

In an insightful episode of the Friends Per Second podcast aired on April 14, Marathon Director Joe Ziegler clarified the game's pricing model. He stated, "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 emphasized the team's dedication to delivering an exceptional experience. He noted, "Everyone’s got their own definition of what is the right price." Fans have been speculating about the price range on social media, but Bungie clarified via a Twitter (X) post on April 13 that Marathon will not be a full-priced game but a premium title. More pricing details are slated to be revealed this summer.

Marathon Will Not Have Proximity Chat

Proximity chat has become a popular feature in many multiplayer games, allowing players to communicate based on their in-game proximity for a more immersive experience. However, this feature also opens the door to potential toxicity from other players.

Bungie decided to forego proximity chat in Marathon, as highlighted by Marathon Director Joe Ziegler in a recent PC Gamer interview. He 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 underscored the team's commitment to fostering a safe gaming environment, noting that they currently lack a solution to mitigate the toxicity that can arise from proximity chat. This decision impacts the game's dynamics, particularly in an extraction shooter where communication with opposing teams could be strategically beneficial. However, Bungie is still searching for a viable solution, with Ziegler adding, "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 tuned for more updates by checking out our comprehensive article below!