Bungie has revealed an upcoming closed alpha for Marathon, an all-new and ambitious extraction shooter that effectively reboots a 1994 game. Announced during Bungie's Marathon stream on April 12, 2025, the closed alpha will start on April 23, 2025, providing players a chance to experience the game ahead of its official release on September 23, 2025.
The team at Bungie, known for classics like Halo and Destiny, has been relatively quiet since the initial announcement of Marathon nearly two years ago. However, recent teasers on social media have sparked excitement among fans, culminating in a new gameplay trailer that showcases the extraction shooter’s innovative mechanics.
Marathon is set in a sci-fi universe in the year 2850, on the remains of Tau Ceti IV, a former human colony that met a mysterious fate. Players take on the role of "Runners," who are tasked with scavenging for loot and secrets while navigating a vibrant yet perilous world filled with rival players and AI-controlled threats.
The game will operate primarily with a trios-based model, allowing 18 players to occupy each of the three maps available at launch. A fourth map, aptly named "Marathon," will be introduced post-launch. The gameplay loop, revealed through Insider Gaming in 2023, emphasizes teamwork and strategy as players compete to gather resources and survive.
To access the closed alpha, players must first join the official Marathon Discord server. After joining, they need to enter the command "/alpha" in the designated channel to receive a custom sign-up link. Completion of a survey is required to express interest in participating, but it does not guarantee selection.
Registration is limited to North American players aged 18 and older, with PlayStation codes being region-locked to North and South America. Participants will be under a strict Non-Disclosure Agreement (NDA) during the alpha period, which runs from April 23 at 10 AM PDT until May 4 at 10 AM PDT.
Those lucky enough to receive an alpha code will also get two additional codes to invite friends to join the experience. The game is designed to be accessible on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, and Steam, with an installation size of approximately 6 GB.
In the alpha, players will have the opportunity to choose from four distinct Runner classes, each offering unique abilities to suit different play styles. These include:
- Locus: A tank-like character equipped with a powerful shield and rocket salvo.
- Glitch: A speed-focused Runner capable of double jumping and quick traversal.
- Blackbird: An information specialist who can scan the environment for threats.
- Void: A stealth character able to turn invisible, reminiscent of the Hunters from Destiny.
As players engage in the alpha test, they will explore various zones while battling against rival teams and AI enemies. The extraction shooter genre is competitive, with titles like Escape from Tarkov dominating the market. However, Bungie aims to carve out its niche by combining familiar gameplay elements with new mechanics and a rich narrative backdrop.
The original Marathon games were pivotal in establishing Bungie as a key player in the gaming industry. The new iteration is a complete overhaul, transitioning from a classic first-person shooter format to a modern live-service extraction shooter. This evolution reflects Bungie's commitment to innovation while honoring its roots.
Bungie has also hinted at a robust post-launch support plan, including seasonal storytelling, ranked play, and community events, alongside a variety of end-game challenges. Players' progress during the alpha will not carry over to the full game, emphasizing its role as a technical stress test.
Despite the excitement surrounding the alpha, some industry observers express concerns about the crowded shooter market. Bungie's previous successes with Halo and Destiny set high expectations, but recent failures of other live-service games serve as a reminder of the challenges ahead.
Pricing details for Marathon remain under wraps, but Bungie has indicated that it will not be a full-priced title, potentially suggesting a cost in the $40 to $50 range. However, this may come with numerous microtransactions, a model familiar to fans of the developer's previous titles.
As the alpha test approaches, anticipation continues to build within the gaming community. With Bungie’s storied history and the promise of a fresh take on the extraction shooter genre, Marathon could very well make a significant impact when it launches later this year.
