Marathon F2P Rumors Debunked; Pricing Reveal This Summer

Marathon is set to be a premium title rather than a free-to-play game. Discover more about 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

Marathon Director has 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, unveiled the game’s release date and introduced a new gameplay trailer. However, specifics regarding the game's price remain under wraps, fueling fan curiosity about its monetization approach.

In an insightful episode of the Friends Per Second podcast on April 14, Marathon Director Joe Ziegler clarified that Marathon is not designed as a free-to-play title. He expressed, "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 remains optimistic about the game's appeal and the team's dedication to excellence. "Everyone’s got their own definition of what is the right price," he remarked.

Fan speculation about Marathon's price has been rampant on social media. However, Bungie took to Twitter (X) on April 13 to clarify that Marathon will not be a full-priced title but a premium one, promising more detailed pricing information this summer.

Marathon Will Not Have Proximity Chat

Proximity chat, a feature that allows players to hear each other based on their in-game proximity, has become a staple in modern multiplayer games, enhancing immersion and interaction. Yet, it also opens the door to potential toxicity from online interactions.

This concern led Bungie to exclude proximity chat from Marathon. 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 emphasized the team's commitment to fostering a safe gaming environment, noting that they currently lack a solution to mitigate the toxicity associated with proximity chat. This decision impacts the game's dynamic, particularly for an extraction shooter where strategic communication with opposing teams could be advantageous.

Nevertheless, Bungie continues to explore potential solutions to integrate proximity chat safely. Ziegler concluded, "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, on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC. Stay tuned for the latest updates on the game by checking out our related articles!