Have you ever wondered about the mysteries behind the ghost colony on Tau Ceti IV and the legendary Marathon ship that kick-started it all? The time has come for answers. Bungie’s development team, after decades, is delving back into the Marathon universe with a new twist: a team-based extraction shooter simply named Marathon. Set your calendars for September 24, as the game is set to launch on PS5, Steam, and Xbox Series X|S. Here’s a glimpse of what was unveiled during the live Marathon Gameplay Reveal Showcase. Catch all the thrilling details by watching the livestream right here.
In Marathon, you team up with two other players, forming squads that hunt through the ruins left by the lost colony on Tau Ceti IV. It’s a dog-eat-dog world out there as you compete to snag potent weapons and gear amid relentless AI security forces, bizarre extraterrestrial challenges, and rival Runner teams all scrambling for the same treasure. Brace yourself for the harsh truth: survival isn’t guaranteed. Yet, with each successful escape, your spoils add to your growing cache, boosting your power for future escapades. Remember, you’re always just one daring run away from hitting the jackpot. Get your first taste of gameplay excitement in the reveal trailer from today’s livestream.
Meet the Runners at the core of Marathon—cybernetic mercenaries who have traded their human forms for biosynthetic bodies. This tantalizing trade-off grants a degree of immortality, enabling consciousness transfer upon death. Choose from a diverse cast of Runners, each boasting unique abilities, stats, and styles, allowing you to tailor your gameplay experience. As you progress, you’ll gather implants and other gear to tweak and enhance your abilities. For instance, if speed and agility are your game, Glitch is the Runner for you. Amp up these traits by collecting enhancements that minimize heat buildup, keeping you moving swiftly through your missions. Kevin Yanes, the Senior Design Lead, notes that rare finds like Prestige Cores significantly elevate your abilities, from boosting a double jump to a triple jump, offering immense mobility in battles.
Combine this customization with Bungie’s top-tier gunplay and a treasure trove of weapons, and your Runner can adapt to multiple combat styles. Get more insights into these Runners in the new Gameplay Overview Trailer.
Returning to its roots, Marathon revisits the intricate storytelling introduced in the 1990s trilogy, a signature style for Bungie games. According to Narrative Leader Jonathan Goff, the original trilogy’s narratives skillfully wove together stories, events, and characters, creating a world filled with intrigue and surprises. Players can dive into Marathon’s tales as deeply as they wish, exploring the narrative at their own pace, engaging with story snippets on terminals, or following environmental cues.
Goff explains that this revamped Marathon experience will unfold through newbie Runners’ eyes, who are exploring Tau Ceti IV to unearth secrets from the original series. The alignment, and sometimes collision, with the classic games’ narratives will gradually come to light. Like the originals, players are tasked with untangling the web of truths and lies, ultimately owning their interpretations. Goff states, “Our aim with Marathon is to create immersive worlds where stories naturally unfold.” You can experience this narrative depth yourself in the cinematic short unveiled as a surprise conclusion to the showcase, masterfully crafted by the award-winning Alberto Mielgo, known for “The Witness” and “Jibaro” in Love, Death & Robots.
From the beginning phases of Marathon’s development, Bungie has been working closely with players—a first in their history. Long before production officially kicked off, players were involved in playtests, offering feedback that shaped the game’s direction.
Game Director Joe Ziegler shares insights from these early interactions. Initially, the game featured a persistent world style, allowing players to rejoin the same map, posing fairness issues and unpredictability during matches. Player feedback prompted a strategic shift to ensure each match starts fresh, granting teams a fair opportunity to strategize and compete for their coveted loot.
With the veil now lifted on Marathon, Bungie is expanding its playtesting, keen to incorporate player feedback as development continues. Ziegler is thrilled by this gaming milestone, announcing, “We’re just getting started on this incredible journey, and there’s much more to share.” If you’re eager to get involved, sign up for a chance to join the Closed Alpha Test this month by joining their community Discord group. Get ready, because Marathon goes live on September 24 for PS5, Steam, and Xbox Series X|S.
