Marathon will not be a free-to-play game but a premium title. Here’s more about Marathon’s pricing strategy and why the developers chose to exclude proximity chat.
Marathon Development Updates
Marathon Will Not Be Free-To-Play
Marathon Director has confirmed that the game will not be free-to-play, opting instead for a premium pricing model. During a live gameplay showcase on April 13, Bungie, the developer behind Marathon, revealed the game's release date and showcased a new trailer. However, the price remains undisclosed, sparking curiosity among fans about the game's monetization strategy.
In a recent episode of the Friends Per Second podcast on April 14, Marathon Director Joe Ziegler clarified that the game will not follow a free-to-play model. He emphasized, "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 and the team's dedication to enhancing its quality. He noted, "Everyone’s got their own definition of what is the right price." Speculation about Marathon's price has been rampant on social media, but Bungie clarified via a Twitter (X) post on April 13 that Marathon will not be a full-priced title but will be a premium one. More details on pricing are expected to be announced this summer.
Marathon Will Not Have Proximity Chat
Proximity chat, a feature that allows players to communicate based on their in-game proximity, has become increasingly popular in multiplayer games. It enhances immersion but can also lead to toxicity due to the varied nature of online interactions.
Bungie has decided against including proximity chat in Marathon. In an interview with PC Gamer, 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."
The team at Bungie is committed to fostering a safe gaming environment and has yet to find an effective solution to mitigate the potential toxicity that proximity chat can introduce. While this choice might limit certain interactions, such as negotiating with opposing teams in an extraction shooter, Bungie remains open to reevaluating this feature. Ziegler added, "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 more updates and detailed information about the game.
