Marathon will not be a free-to-play game but will be a premium title. Dive deeper to understand Marathon's pricing strategy and the reasons behind the developers' decision to exclude proximity chat.
Marathon Development Updates
Marathon Will Not Be Free-To-Play
The director of Marathon has officially confirmed that the game will be a premium title rather than free-to-play. During a live gameplay showcase on April 13, Bungie, the developer behind Marathon, not only revealed the game's release date but also unveiled a new gameplay trailer. However, the specific pricing details remain under wraps, sparking curiosity among fans about the game's monetization model.
In a recent episode of the Friends Per Second podcast on April 14, Marathon Director Joe Ziegler clarified the game's pricing stance, stating, "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 enjoyment and the team's dedication to enhancing its appeal. He noted, "Everyone’s got their own definition of what is the right price."
Speculation about Marathon's price has been rampant on social media, with fans sharing various predictions. Bungie addressed these rumors on a Twitter (X) post on April 13, clarifying that Marathon will be a premium title, not a full-priced one, with more details on pricing 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 a staple in many multiplayer games, enhancing the interactive and immersive experience. However, it also introduces the potential for toxicity, as players can encounter both friendly and offensive remarks.
Bungie decided to exclude proximity chat from Marathon to ensure a safe environment for its players. In an interview with PC Gamer, Joe Ziegler explained the decision, 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 player safety and acknowledged the current lack of a solution to mitigate the negative aspects of proximity chat. While this decision might limit some interactive elements, especially in an extraction shooter where negotiating with opposing teams can be crucial, Bungie remains focused on finding a balance.
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 tuned for more updates by checking out our related articles below!
