Marathon F2P Rumors Debunked; Pricing Reveal Set for Summer

Marathon will not be a free-to-play game but will be priced as a premium title. Dive deeper to understand Marathon's pricing strategy and the reasons behind the exclusion of proximity chat from the game.

Marathon Development Updates

Marathon Will Not Be Free-To-Play

Marathon Director has officially confirmed that the game will not follow the free-to-play model, opting instead for a premium pricing structure. During a live gameplay showcase on April 13, Bungie, the game's developer, revealed Marathon's release date and unveiled a captivating gameplay trailer. However, the exact price of the game remains under wraps, leaving fans eager to learn more about its monetization strategy.

In an insightful episode of the Friends Per Second podcast aired on April 14, Marathon Director Joe Ziegler elaborated on the game's pricing decision. 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 of enjoyability and affirmed the team's commitment to delivering an exceptional experience. He added, "Everyone’s got their own definition of what is the right price."

Speculation about Marathon's price has been rampant among fans on social media platforms. However, Bungie took to Twitter (X) on April 13 to clarify that Marathon will not be a full-priced title but a premium one. They promised to unveil more details about the pricing this summer.

Marathon Will Not Have Proximity Chat

Proximity chat, a feature increasingly common in multiplayer games, allows players to communicate based on their in-game proximity, enhancing the game's immersive and interactive nature. Yet, this feature can also introduce toxicity into the gaming environment due to the diverse nature of online interactions.

Bungie has decided against including proximity chat in Marathon. In an interview with PC Gamer, Joe Ziegler explained the reasoning behind this decision. He noted, "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 dedication to fostering a safe gaming environment and admitted that they have not yet found a solution to mitigate the toxicity that proximity chat can bring. While this decision may limit some forms of player interaction, such as negotiating with opposing teams in an extraction shooter, 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 informed with the latest updates by checking out our related articles below!