Bungie Reveals Marathon Release Date and Announces Alpha Test Details

During a recent broadcast, Bungie shared new information about its upcoming sci-fi shooter Marathon. The game is set to release on September 23, 2025. Players will head to the abandoned colony of Tau Ceti IV in search of loot, power, and the answers to countless mysteries.

Before the full release, Bungie will run a closed alpha test from April 23 to May 4. Applications are open via the game’s official Discord server.

All participants will be required to sign a non-disclosure agreement (NDA) — meaning streaming or sharing gameplay footage will be strictly prohibited. Selected testers will also receive two additional priority access codes to share with friends, which boost the chances of getting into the test but do not guarantee a spot.

Gameplay Overview

At launch, Marathon will feature six unique characters known as Runners — cybernetic mercenaries who have abandoned their human forms in favor of synthetic shells, each with distinct abilities. During the alpha phase, four of these Runners will be available for testing:

• Locus — a soldier specialized in aggressive, push-heavy combat.
• Blackbird — a recon-focused character with abilities designed for gathering intel.
• Glitch — a highly mobile fighter who excels at disrupting enemies and quickly retreating.
• Void — a stealth expert capable of deploying smoke grenades and using active camouflage to stay hidden.

Marathon is built around team-based gameplay. Before each deployment, players select a Runner, choose suitable gear, and build out their loadout. Matches are played by up to 18 players, divided into teams of three. Besides rival Runners, players will also face off against security agents and hostile AI units.

The main objective is simple: grab as much loot as possible and successfully evacuate. If a player dies, all collected gear will be lost on the spot — but if they make it out alive, the loot will carry over for future raids.

Beyond the Shooter

Bungie also confirmed Marathon will include:

• Ranked matches and endgame challenges.
• Seasonal story updates with new narrative content.
• A deep modification system for Runners, with implants offering rare effects like toxin resistance or even a triple jump.
• Side missions from in-game factions and a black market for on-the-fly trades during matches.
• Flexible gameplay allowing both team coordination and lone wolf tactics.

The studio promises to reveal more about how Marathon connects to its classic predecessors in the future.

Marathon is being developed for PC (Steam), PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series.