Marathon Update – Still on Track!

Marathon Development Update – Aiming for a Stronger Launch

Bungie has shared a detailed update on the development of Marathon, addressing community feedback following the game’s reveal and Alpha playtest. The studio has confirmed that the originally planned September 23rd release will be delayed, with Sony still expecting the game to launch by March 2026.

According to Bungie, the decision comes after extensive discussions within the development team and a clear message from players: Marathon needs more time to become the intense, high-stakes experience fans expect.

Lessons from the Alpha

The Alpha playtest gave Bungie valuable insight into what players enjoyed and where the game needed more depth. Feedback highlighted the desire for heightened survival elements, stronger narrative hooks, and deeper endgame challenges. In response, Bungie is focusing on:

Upping the Survival Game

• Tougher and more engaging AI encounters

• More rewarding runs through expanded loot types and dynamic events

• Combat designed to feel tense, strategic, and impactful

Doubling Down on the Marathon Universe

• Improved visual fidelity for a more immersive experience

• Richer narrative and environmental storytelling

• A darker tone inspired by the original Marathon trilogy

Expanding Social Experiences

• Enhanced support for solo players and duos

• Proximity chat to encourage organic in-game interactions

Ongoing Testing and Community Involvement

Bungie emphasised that the relationship between developers and players will remain central to Marathon’s growth. Closed testing will continue over the coming months, with Alpha participants and other selected players helping to shape the game’s direction.

A further development update is expected later this fall, which will include a revised release date. For now, both Bungie and Sony maintain that Marathon is still on track for its targeted release window of March 2026.