Marathon Won’t Be Free-to-Play, But Bungie Confirms It Won’t Cost $70 Either

Bungie has revealed that their upcoming extraction shooter Marathon will require players to purchase the game, confirming it will be a premium title rather than a free-to-play experience. However, the studio clarified that it will not be a full-priced ($70) game, though exact pricing has not yet been announced. The game is scheduled to launch on September 23, 2025, with a seasonal content model.

The conversation around Marathon's pricing began after a preview article from GameSpot suggested it would be a full-priced title. On April 12, Bungie responded directly to a post on X (formerly Twitter) that included the original excerpt from GameSpot. The studio clarified:

“Marathon will be a premium title. Marathon will not be a ‘full-priced’ title,” adding that more details would be shared “this summer.”

Meanwhile, Forbes writer Paul Tassi earlier speculated that the game might fall in the $30–$40 price range, based on industry trends and Bungie’s positioning.

However, Tassi also commented that even a moderate price point in that range “still comes with its own risks,” especially in a competitive gaming landscape saturated with free-to-play multiplayer shooters.

Naturally, comparisons have emerged between Marathon and Concord, a 2024 team-based shooter from Firewalk Studios. Concord launched at $40 but struggled to gain traction and was ultimately shut down just two weeks after launch, with Firewalk closing down entirely shortly afterward. The failure highlighted the difficulty of charging for new multiplayer titles in an era where free-to-play dominates.

Despite those challenges, Bungie’s strong track record with Destiny gives Marathon a stronger launchpad than most. The developer plans to support the game with a seasonal content model, featuring a battle pass system and an evolving narrative that unfolds over time. At launch, Marathon will feature three maps, with a fourth planned to release post-launch.