Marathon's Pricing Reveal Set for Summer, Free-To-Play Rumors Denied

Marathon will be a premium game, not a free-to-play title. Read on for details about its pricing and the developers' decision to exclude proximity chat.

Latest Updates on Marathon's Development

Marathon Is Not a Free-to-Play Game

Marathon's director has confirmed the game will be a premium, paid title, not free-to-play. Bungie hosted a live gameplay showcase on April 13, revealing the release date and a new trailer, but specific pricing details remain undisclosed, sparking fan curiosity about the monetization model.

On the April 14 episode of the Friends Per Second podcast, Game Director Joe Ziegler clarified Marathon's paid approach. He explained, "We're aiming to make the experience compelling enough for players to join us from the start. We're also committed to supporting the game with seasonal content that will continue to evolve the experience without raising the initial purchase price."

Ziegler expressed confidence in the game's current quality and the team's dedication to excellence. He added, "Everyone has their own idea of what constitutes fair pricing."

Fans have been speculating about the potential price on social media. Bungie clarified in an April 13 post on X (formerly Twitter) that Marathon will be a premium title, though not at a full $70 price point. More specific pricing information is promised for this summer.

Proximity Chat Omitted from Marathon

While proximity chat has become common in many multiplayer games, enhancing immersion by letting players hear nearby opponents, it also frequently leads to toxic interactions. This potential for harassment was a key factor in Bungie's decision to leave the feature out of Marathon.

In an interview with PC Gamer, Joe Ziegler elaborated on the choice. "We're not inherently against the concept of proximity chat," he said. "The real challenge is ensuring we can maintain a safe and positive environment for all players within that context."

Ziegler stated the team's priority is player safety and that they currently lack a robust solution to mitigate the toxicity associated with open voice channels. This does mean forgoing some potential for in-game negotiation and interaction, elements often found in extraction shooters.

For now, the feature remains excluded. Ziegler noted, "That's our current position. If we could magically find the perfect solution, we would implement it. But it's a complex issue the entire industry is still grappling with."

Marathon is scheduled for release on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC on September 23, 2025. For more ongoing coverage and news about the game, be sure to check out our related article below.