Multiple sources tell The Game Post that Bungie is considering a $40 launch price for Marathon, its upcoming PvP extraction shooter.
It’s been well over a year since Bungie announced its first non-Destiny game, Marathon. Originally revealed in May 2023, this title is shaping up to be quite different from what players might have initially expected.
According to several sources familiar with the project, Bungie appears to be targeting a $40 price tag for Marathon, opting for a pay-to-play premium model rather than following the free-to-play model seen in many modern shooters.
The Game Post understands that it’s likely that discussions between Bungie and Sony have taken place around Marathon’s pricing strategy after the disastrous launch of Sony’s latest live-service game Concord, which also launched at $40 but was shut down just two weeks later.
However, sources confirm that a $40 price point was definitely in the cards.
Marathon: Bungie’s Class-Based Extraction Shooter
Earlier this year, IGN’s Rebekah Valentine reported that Marathon shifted direction under its new director, Joe Ziegler, “moving away from custom player characters in favor of a selectable cast of heroes.”
This stirred up controversy within both the extraction shooter community and the broader fanbase, with many concerned that the game might be veering too close to existing hero shooters like Valorant and Overwatch.
However, multiple sources have confirmed to The Game Post that Marathon is not “hero-focused” which is what many seem to believe. The “heroes” in Marathon are classes, each with its own set of abilities (along with a “special” ability), and very different playstyle compared to others.
The core gameplay structure is pretty similar to games like Escape from Tarkov but with a “Bungie twist,” according to one source. Currently, two maps are in a playable state: one set on the planet in an abandoned colony, and the other aboard the Marathon ship. It’s unclear, however, if these will be the only maps at launch or if Bungie plans to include more.
Over the past few months, Bungie has been conducting regular playtests with internal teams, streamers, and content creators. Sources tell us the feedback around the game has been somewhat positive, with one source noting that the game feels “worth” the $40 price tag. In addition, a new trailer for Marathon is said to be in production.
Multiple sources have indicated that Bungie is putting extra effort into Marathon’s new player experience. Destiny 2, Bungie’s flagship title, was often criticized for being confusing or overwhelming to new players, and Marathon aims to avoid this. From the start, the developers are focused on making sure players have a smoother onboarding process, lowering the barrier to entry.
Despite positive feedback from playtests, morale within Bungie remains low, as developers have grown increasingly frustrated with leadership amid recent changes at the studio. Concerns remain high about the launch of Bungie’s next big project, Marathon. With the game’s success pivotal for Bungie’s and Destiny’s future, there’s a lot riding on how Marathon performs.
The Game Post has contacted Bungie for a comment and will update this story with any further information.
Zuhaad is a reporter for The Game Post. You can reach him anonymously and securely at [email protected].