Bungie has officially confirmed that *Marathon*, its long-awaited and ambitious entry into the extraction shooter genre, will no longer meet its previously projected September release window. Instead, the studio has strategically rescheduled the launch for March 2026, allowing additional time for refinement, balance, and feature development. According to Bungie’s latest blog update, the studio is currently setting its sights on a retail price of $39.99. This purchase, importantly, will grant players unrestricted access to the complete game experience—without hidden tiers or gated content—along with a robust roadmap of free gameplay updates that are planned to unfold progressively throughout the following year. These forthcoming updates aim to sustain player engagement by introducing new content, modes, and refinements that evolve alongside community feedback.
The decision to delay *Marathon* was first made public in June, following an extensive evaluation of feedback collected during the game’s alpha testing phase. Participants in that early playtest provided Bungie with valuable, unfiltered insights regarding mechanics, balance, and playability. Since absorbing that feedback, the development team has implemented several notable improvements, including the addition of proximity voice chat to encourage more organic coordination and player-driven interaction, as well as a solo queue option designed to create fairer matchmaking for individuals who prefer independent play. Bungie emphasized in its statement that every closed testing opportunity, beginning with the alpha in April, has served as a crucial step in an ongoing cycle of iteration and community collaboration. By quietly refining systems alongside an active network of dedicated players, the studio has been able to directly identify what aspects of *Marathon* resonate, which mechanics require fine-tuning, and where the game’s distinctive identity can truly excel.
Addressing another major concern within modern multiplayer ecosystems—player exclusivity and the fear of missing out (FOMO)—Bungie confirmed that *Marathon*’s in-game “Rewards Passes” will follow an unrestricted model. Unlike seasonal passes that expire over time and pressure players to stay constantly active, these passes in *Marathon* will remain permanently accessible, enabling users to purchase or complete older passes long after their original release windows. This thoughtful design choice aims to foster inclusivity and ensure that latecomers or returning players can experience every reward tier at their own pace.
Furthermore, Bungie reiterated its dedication to fairness and ethical monetization, clarifying that financial investment will never give players a competitive edge. In the studio’s words, the essence of survival within *Marathon* will rely exclusively on skill, strategy, and teamwork, not on how much money a player chooses to spend. This philosophy underscores Bungie’s broader commitment to maintaining the competitive integrity of its title, aligning its approach with a growing demand from the gaming community for transparent and player-respectful economic systems. Through these policies, Bungie aims to craft not just a captivating shooter experience, but a sustainable and equitable ecosystem built on trust, balance, and player empowerment.
Sourse: https://www.theverge.com/news/844780/bungie-marathon-march-launch-delay
