Marathon F2P Rumors Debunked; Pricing Reveal Set for 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 reasons behind the developers' decision to exclude proximity chat.

Marathon Development Updates

Marathon Will Not Be Free-To-Play

The director of Marathon has confirmed that the game will not be free-to-play but will instead be a premium title. During a live gameplay showcase on April 13, Bungie, the developers behind Marathon, unveiled the game’s release date and showcased a new gameplay trailer. Although the price remains undisclosed, fans are eager to know how the game will be monetized.

In the April 14 episode of the Friends Per Second podcast, Marathon Director Joe Ziegler clarified that the game is not a free-to-play title. He emphasized, "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 the team’s dedication to making it exceptional. He added, "Everyone’s got their own definition of what is the right price."

While fans have speculated on social media about Marathon's potential price range, Bungie clarified via a Twitter (X) post on April 13 that Marathon will not be a full-priced title but a premium one. More details on pricing will 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 increasingly common in multiplayer games. It enhances immersion by enabling players to engage in real-time, location-based interactions. However, it also introduces the risk of toxic behavior due to the diverse nature of online communities.

Bungie has decided to forego proximity chat in Marathon to prioritize player safety. In a recent interview with PC Gamer, Joe Ziegler explained the decision, stating, "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 highlighted the team's commitment to fostering a safe gaming environment and admitted that they currently lack a solution to mitigate the toxicity associated with proximity chat. This decision might limit the tactical interactions with opposing teams in this extraction shooter, but player safety remains a priority.

Bungie is still exploring ways to implement proximity chat safely. 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 tuned for more updates by checking out our article below!