Bungie has officially unveiled gameplay for Marathon, both a reimagining and direct successor to the classic Marathon trilogy. During a special showcase livestream on April 12, 2025, the team revealed that Marathon will launch on September 23, 2025, with a Closed Alpha Test running from April 23 to May 4, 2025, for eligible North American players.
Marathon Gameplay Details and Alpha Test Information
The showcase, broadcast from Bungie headquarters, featured key team members including game director Joe Ziegler and franchise art director Joseph Cross. They revealed Marathon as an extraction-based PvP experience where players can form three-player crews or venture solo as customizable characters called Runners.
Players eager to get their hands on Marathon can sign up for the Closed Alpha Test through the official Discord. This initial test will be limited to players 18 and older in North America, with Bungie planning additional playtests following this first technical capability assessment.
Trailers and Cinematic Content
Bungie released several videos showcasing different aspects of Marathon:
The Gameplay Reveal Trailer offers a high-speed look at Marathon's action and gunplay, while the Gameplay Overview Trailer (narrated by Ben Starr) provides deeper insights into mechanics and customization options.
Perhaps most intriguing is the Reveal Cinematic Short, created in collaboration with acclaimed director Alberto Mielgo, known for his work on "The Witness" and "Jibaro" episodes of Love, Death & Robots. This artistic piece hints at the game's narrative direction and visual style.
What Can Players Expect from Marathon?
Marathon will feature seasonal content with new mysteries and stories, offering both in-game storytelling through community events, missions, and collectibles, as well as extended narrative experiences through ARGs and cinematics. The game honors the franchise's history while creating a new entry point for fans, with recognizable characters and locations appearing in reimagined contexts.
Narrative Director Julia Nardin explained that while Marathon features elements from the original trilogy, players will encounter differences in how certain events unfolded, creating a fresh experience even for longtime fans of Destiny 2's predecessor franchise.
Community-Focused Development
Bungie has emphasized community involvement throughout Marathon's development process, inviting approximately 30 creators to their headquarters for early playtesting before the game entered production. This approach represents a shift from Destiny 2's development cycle, with Bungie planning to continue this collaborative strategy through launch and beyond.
For players interested in following Marathon's development or participating in future tests, Bungie recommends joining the community Discord, where updates and sign-up opportunities will be posted regularly.