Today marked a major moment for Bungie, as the studio revealed crucial information about their upcoming shooter, Marathon, during a live stream event. Fans can look forward to its launch on September 23, coinciding with the eagerly awaited release of Gearbox’s Borderlands 4. If that wasn’t enough excitement, GTA 6 might follow soon after, possibly targeting an October debut.
The new iteration of Marathon, which serves as a successor to Bungie’s classic from 1994, will be available on PS5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC via Steam. What’s more enticing is that cross-play and cross-saves will be supported across all platforms, making sure everyone gets in on the action together.
A highlight of today’s presentation was the announcement of a closed alpha test scheduled to kick off in April. Interested players can find out how to sign up for this test by checking out this link: here’s how to sign up for the Marathon closed alpha.
The stream also featured some interesting gameplay footage from the first alpha session. Players will immerse themselves in Tau Ceti IV, stepping into the shoes of a “Runner,” defined as a cybernetic mercenary hunting for fortune and power. Teams of three players will battle rival Runner groups and AI foes, aiming to survive while scavenging materials before safely extracting them — then rinse and repeat!
Customization plays a key role; runners can choose different weapons, gear, and “implants” that tweak their playing styles. Teamwork and strategic planning will be essential to secure victory against other squads.
Bungie also outlined plans for Season 1 of Marathon. The roadmap hints at endgame challenges, ranked play options, seasonal storytelling elements, and community events.
