Marathon F2P Rumors Debunked; Pricing Reveal Set for Summer

Marathon will not be a free-to-play game but instead will be offered as a premium title. In this article, we'll explore Marathon's pricing strategy and the developers' decision to exclude proximity chat from the game.

Marathon Development Updates

Marathon Will Not Be Free-To-Play

Marathon's Director has put to rest the rumors about the game being free-to-play, confirming it will be a premium title. During a live gameplay showcase on April 13, Bungie unveiled Marathon’s release date and shared a new gameplay trailer. However, the price of the game remains undisclosed, leaving fans eager to know how Bungie plans to monetize it.

In an insightful episode of the Friends Per Second podcast on April 14, Marathon Director Joe Ziegler clarified the game's pricing model. He stated, "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 appeal. "Everyone’s got their own definition of what is the right price," he noted, highlighting the subjective nature of pricing.

Speculation about Marathon's price has been rampant among fans on social media. However, Bungie took to Twitter (X) on April 13 to clarify that Marathon won't be a full-priced title but a premium one, with more detailed pricing information set to be announced this summer.

Marathon Will Not Have Proximity Chat

Proximity chat, a feature allowing players to hear others based on their in-game proximity, has become increasingly popular in multiplayer games, enhancing immersion and interaction. However, it also opens the door to potential toxicity, as players can hear both friendly and offensive remarks.

This concern led Bungie to decide against including proximity chat in Marathon. In a recent interview with PC Gamer, Joe Ziegler explained the team's stance, saying, "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."

Ziegler emphasized the team's commitment to fostering a safe gaming environment, noting that they currently lack a solution to mitigate the toxicity associated with proximity chat. While this decision may limit interactions with opposing teams and strategic negotiations within the game, especially in an extraction shooter like Marathon, Bungie remains focused on player safety.

Ziegler concluded, "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, and will be available on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC. Stay tuned for more updates on the game by checking out our related articles below!