Bungie has officially confirmed that its cautiously anticipated team-based extraction shooter, Marathon, will launch on March 5, 2026. The sci-fi shooter will be available on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series, and PC via Steam, marking a long-waited return to the studio’s roots. Originally a Macintosh exclusive in the 1990s that paved the way for Halo, the Marathon IP is being reimagined as a modern, high-stakes multiplayer experience where players scavenge for survival on the lost colony of Tau Ceti IV.
In a move that aggressively targets the competitive shooter market, Bungie has set the entry price for the Standard Edition at just $39.99. This base version grants access to all future gameplay updates—including maps, Runner shells, and events—ensuring the player base isn’t fractured by paid map packs. Pre-orders for this edition unlock the “Zero Step” cosmetic set and, notably, exclusive items for Destiny 2 players, including a Marathon-themed Exotic Ghost, Ship, and Sparrow. For dedicated fans, a $59.99 Deluxe Edition includes a Premium Rewards Pass voucher and the “Midnight Decay” cosmetic collection, while a Bungie Store-exclusive Collector’s Edition offers a premium unboxing experience featuring a 1/6-scale Thief Runner Shell statue.
The game tasks players with choosing a “Runner,” a cybernetic mercenary with unique abilities, and forming three-person crews to brave the hostile zones of Tau Ceti IV. The core loop revolves around extracting valuable loot, weapons, and implants while battling rival player teams and AI security forces. Survival allows players to keep their gear for future runs, building up their Runner’s power to eventually tackle the ultimate challenge: boarding the derelict Marathon ship looming in orbit. To ensure the integrity of this high-stakes environment, Bungie has emphasized a commitment to “fair play,” promising robust anti-cheat measures and dedicated servers from day one.
Bungie has also revealed an expansive English-language voice cast to bring the world of Marathon to life. The roster includes industry heavyweights such as Roger Clark (Arthur Morgan in RDR2), Neil Newbon (Astarion in Baldur’s Gate 3), and gaming social persona – Ben Starr (Clive Rosfield in FF16), alongside a massive ensemble including Elias Toufexis, Jennifer English, Darin De Paul, and Nika Futterman. This level of talent suggests that despite being a multiplayer-focused title, Marathon will likely retain the rich, cryptic storytelling DNA that defined the original trilogy.
