Marathon will not be a free-to-play game but will be a premium title. Dive into the details on Marathon's pricing and understand why the developers chose to exclude proximity chat.
Marathon Development Updates
Marathon Will Not Be Free-To-Play
Marathon Director has confirmed that the game will not follow the free-to-play model but will instead be a premium title. During a live gameplay showcase on April 13, Bungie, the developer behind Marathon, unveiled the game's release date and showcased a new gameplay trailer. However, the price of the game remains undisclosed, sparking curiosity among fans about its monetization strategy.
In an episode of the Friends Per Second podcast on April 14, Marathon Director Joe Ziegler clarified that Marathon is not a free-to-play title. 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 making it exceptional. He noted, "Everyone’s got their own definition of what is the right price."
Fans have been actively speculating about Marathon's price range on social media. However, Bungie clarified via a Twitter (X) post on April 13 that Marathon will not be a full-priced title but a premium one, with more pricing details to be announced this summer.
Marathon Will Not Have Proximity Chat
Proximity chat, a feature that allows players to hear each other based on their in-game proximity, has become increasingly popular in multiplayer games. It enhances the interactive and immersive experience but also introduces the risk of toxicity due to the diverse nature of online communities.
Bungie has decided against including proximity chat in Marathon. In a recent interview with PC Gamer, Ziegler explained the decision, stating, "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 and acknowledged the current lack of a solution to mitigate the toxicity associated with proximity chat. This decision impacts the game's social dynamics, particularly in an extraction shooter where communication with opposing teams could be strategic.
Despite ongoing efforts by many companies to address this issue, Bungie has not found a satisfactory solution yet. 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 scheduled for release on September 23, 2025, on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC. Stay updated with the latest news on the game by checking out our article below!
