Marathon will not be a free-to-play game but instead will be offered as a premium title. Dive in to learn more about Marathon's pricing strategy and the developers' decision to exclude proximity chat.
Marathon Development Updates
Marathon Will Not Be Free-To-Play
The Marathon Director has confirmed that the game will not adopt a free-to-play model, opting instead for a premium pricing approach. During a live gameplay showcase hosted by Bungie, Marathon's developer, on April 13, they unveiled the game's release date and treated fans to a new gameplay trailer. However, the exact price of the game remains undisclosed, sparking curiosity among fans about its monetization strategy.
In an insightful discussion on the Friends Per Second podcast on April 14, Marathon Director Joe Ziegler clarified the game's business model, stating, "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 of enjoyment and emphasized the team's dedication to delivering an outstanding product. "Everyone’s got their own definition of what is the right price," he remarked, highlighting the subjective nature of pricing.
Speculation on Marathon's price has been rife among the community, with fans sharing their predictions across social media platforms. In response, 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 detailed pricing information set to be announced this summer.
Marathon Will Not Have Proximity Chat
In recent years, proximity chat has become a popular feature in multiplayer games, allowing players to communicate based on their in-game proximity for a more immersive experience. However, the feature can also lead to toxicity, as players may encounter both friendly and offensive remarks.
Bungie has chosen to omit proximity chat from Marathon due to these concerns. In a recent interview with PC Gamer, Joe Ziegler explained the decision, saying, "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 gaming environment and acknowledged the current lack of a solution to mitigate the toxicity associated with proximity chat. This omission may affect gameplay dynamics, particularly for an extraction shooter where strategic communication with opposing teams could enhance the experience.
Despite the potential benefits, Bungie has yet to find a satisfactory solution to implement proximity chat without compromising player safety. 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 the game by checking out our related articles below!
