PREVIEW – The first gameplay trailer for Bungie’s new project, Marathon, is finally here. The extraction-based PvP shooter is set to launch on September 23, and a closed alpha test kicks off very soon. A reborn classic from the 1990s returns with a slick sci-fi style and a multiplayer twist.

Just as promised, Bungie has lifted the curtain on its newest game—their first major release since 2017. Marathon is a fast-paced, PvP-focused extraction shooter, and the studio dropped its first gameplay trailer this week. The good news? A closed alpha is right around the corner, and the official release date is locked in: September 23.

This is also the first full title from Bungie since it was acquired by PlayStation in 2022. The move aimed to leverage Bungie’s deep expertise in the live-service space. In Marathon, players will explore the surface of Tau Ceti IV through various roles, or archetypes, like Locus, Blackbird, Glitch, and Void.

Not Your Typical Hero Shooter

These archetypes are the game’s first confirmed “Runners”—but don’t expect Overwatch-style pre-defined heroes. Bungie made it clear that Marathon will offer gear customization, steering it away from the hero shooter mold popularized by games like Overwatch or Apex Legends.

Key features include:

• Matches for up to 18 players with time limits
• Options to play in trios or completely solo
• PvE content alongside PvP gameplay
• Crossplay and cross-save functionality

Since Joe Ziegler, formerly of Valorant, took over development, there’s been a lot of speculation about how Marathon would handle its class system. Would it follow the hero shooter formula? As it turns out, no. Instead, the game embraces flexible Runner archetypes rather than locked-in hero abilities.

The game will launch on PC (via Steam), PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X|S on September 23—the very same day Borderlands 4 hits shelves. Bungie is also inviting players to a closed alpha that starts April 23. You’ll need to join the studio’s Discord server, complete a brief survey, and sign a non-disclosure agreement to get in.

Before the alpha kicks off, players will receive a unique code via Bungie that they’ll need to redeem on the official website. Not everyone will be accepted—your access depends on account security and your ban history. Each participant will also receive two extra invite codes to share with friends.

The Marathon Legacy Reignited

The original Marathon trilogy made waves in the 1990s, standing apart from the wave of “Doom clones” that dominated the era. While it had similar FPS mechanics, Bungie focused heavily on story, using in-game terminals to deliver a rich narrative centered around the UESC Marathon space station.

Now, the series returns in turbulent times. Like many AAA studios, Bungie has faced major layoffs in recent years, reducing its workforce by nearly half. The company also scrapped several projects during its restructuring, including a rumored Destiny spin-off and other unannounced titles. Only one survived, now in development under a PlayStation-owned team.

With Marathon, Bungie hopes to turn the page. Meanwhile, Destiny 2 is also set for a shift: two smaller annual expansions with fresh experimental content, plus free updates sprinkled in between. Whether this gamble will pay off remains to be seen.

Source: 3djuegos