Marathon F2P Rumors Debunked; Pricing Reveal Set for Summer

Marathon will not be a free-to-play game but will instead be offered as a premium title. Dive deeper into Marathon's pricing strategy and discover why the developers have chosen to exclude proximity chat from the game.

Marathon Development Updates

Marathon Will Not Be Free-To-Play

Marathon's Director has confirmed that the game will be a premium title, not a free-to-play experience. During a live gameplay showcase on April 13, Bungie, the game's developer, unveiled Marathon's release date and showcased a new gameplay trailer. While the game's price remains undisclosed, the community is eager to understand how it will be monetized.

In an episode of the Friends Per Second podcast on April 14, Marathon Director Joe Ziegler clarified the game's pricing model, stating, "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 of enjoyment and reiterated the team's dedication to making it exceptional. He noted, "Everyone’s got their own definition of what is the right price."

The gaming community has been actively speculating about Marathon's price range on social media, with various predictions circulating. Bungie addressed these speculations via a Twitter (X) post on April 13, confirming that Marathon will be a premium title, not a full-priced one. Further details on pricing are expected to be revealed this summer.

Marathon Will Not Have Proximity Chat

Proximity chat, a feature allowing players to communicate based on their in-game proximity, has become increasingly popular in multiplayer games, enhancing the immersive experience. However, this feature can also lead to toxicity due to the diverse nature of online communities.

Bungie has decided against including proximity chat in Marathon. In a recent interview with PC Gamer, Ziegler explained the decision, saying, "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 environment for players and acknowledged the current lack of a satisfactory solution to mitigate the potential toxicity associated with proximity chat. This decision impacts the ability to interact with opposing teams and navigate maps, particularly in an extraction shooter like Marathon.

Bungie continues to explore solutions for integrating proximity chat without compromising player safety. As Ziegler mentioned, "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. Keep up with the latest developments by checking out our article below!