Marathon F2P Rumors Debunked; Pricing Announcement Coming This Summer

Marathon will not be a free-to-play game but will be a premium title. Dive into the details about Marathon's pricing strategy and the decision to exclude proximity chat from the game.

Marathon Development Updates

Marathon Will Not Be Free-To-Play

Marathon's director has officially confirmed that the game will not follow the free-to-play model but will instead be a premium title. During a live gameplay showcase on April 13, Bungie, the developer behind Marathon, not only announced the game’s release date but also unveiled a new gameplay trailer. Despite this excitement, the exact price of the game remains undisclosed, leaving fans eager to learn how it will be monetized.

In an insightful discussion on the Friends Per Second podcast on April 14, Marathon Director Joe Ziegler clarified the game's pricing approach. 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's confidence in the game's enjoyability and the team's dedication to enhancing it is evident. He added, "Everyone’s got their own definition of what is the right price."

Speculation about Marathon's price has been rampant on social media, with fans sharing their guesses. However, 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 to be announced this summer.

Marathon Will Not Have Proximity Chat

Proximity chat, a feature that allows players to communicate based on their in-game proximity, has become a staple in many multiplayer games, enhancing immersion and interaction. However, it also opens the door to potential toxicity and negative experiences.

Bungie has decided to forego this feature in Marathon. In an interview with PC Gamer, Joe Ziegler explained the reasoning behind this decision. He said, "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 and enjoyable environment for all players, and they currently lack a solution to mitigate the toxicity that can arise from proximity chat. This decision impacts the potential for dynamic interactions with opposing teams, a common element in extraction shooters. 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, and will be available on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC. Stay tuned for more updates and detailed information about the game.