Bungie’s long-gestating follow-up project is finally getting a release date. Marathon is set to launch on March 5 for $39.99 on Xbox Series X|S, PlayStation 5, and PC.
The game marks Bungie’s first brand-new release since Destiny 2 in 2017, and a modern reimagining of its cult-classic 1990s IP. Set in the year 2850, Marathon casts players as Runners operating in three-person squads, dropping into hostile zones to scavenge loot while fending off both AI enemies and rival players. Unlike 1994’s Marathon, which was a linear, story-driven FPS, this version is firmly positioned as a PvPvE extraction shooter.
Originally slated for a September release, Marathon was delayed last June following mixed-to-negative feedback from its alpha playtest. Players cited a cluttered UI, unexciting gunplay, and a pace that felt sluggish compared to other extraction shooters already on the market. The delay was framed as a chance for Bungie to rework core systems rather than rush the game out the door.
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Around the same time, Marathon also ran into a plagiarism controversy after an independent artist discovered that in-game art assets, including decals and signage, closely matched their work. Bungie later confirmed the issue, and by December, the artist indicated on social media that she, the studio, and publisher Sony had reached an agreement to her satisfaction.
The stakes for Sony are high. After recent multiplayer misfires like Concord, the publisher has clear reasons to be cautious. Marathon now arrives nearly six months later than planned and launches into a market that’s already seen a breakout hit in Arc Raiders. Whether Bungie’s extraction shooter can carve out similar staying power remains to be seen — but after years of waiting, players will finally get their answer in March.
