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Bungie’s Marathon Launches September 23, Same Day as Borderlands 4
Bungie’s upcoming extraction shooter, Marathon, took center stage during a livestream event today, where the studio revealed several key details—including the official release date. The game is set to launch on September 23, the same day Gearbox’s much-anticipated Borderlands 4 hits the market. It’s shaping up to be a packed season for major releases, with GTA 6 also expected to arrive not long after, potentially in October.
Marathon is a spiritual successor to Bungie’s original 1994 title of the same name. Designed for modern platforms, the game will be available on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC via Steam, and will support cross-play and cross-save across all systems.
As part of today’s livestream, Bungie also announced that a closed alpha test for Marathon will begin in April, with sign-ups now open for players interested in getting an early hands-on experience.
In addition to confirming the launch date, Bungie showcased the first alpha gameplay footage of Marathon, giving fans a look at its dynamic sci-fi world and competitive mechanics. Set on Tau Ceti IV, the game puts players in the role of “Runners”—cybernetic mercenaries exploring the planet in search of loot, power, and survival.
Gameplay focuses on three-player teams battling both AI enemies and other squads of Runners in high-stakes extraction missions. Players must scavenge materials and safely extract to keep their loot, with the cycle repeating in true extraction shooter fashion. Customization plays a big role, with a variety of weapons, gear, and “implants” available to enhance playstyles and team strategies.
Bungie outlined several post-launch features as part of Marathon’s Season 1 roadmap, including endgame challenges, ranked play, seasonal story arcs, and large-scale community events.
To cap off the event, Bungie premiered a cinematic short film written and directed by Alberto Mielgo (Tron: Uprising, Love, Death & Robots). The short features a talented voice cast, including Erica Lindbeck as Glitch, Elias Toufexis as Void, Nika Futterman as Blackbird, Donnla Hughes as ONI, and Ben Starr as the Narrator.
With a competitive release window and an ambitious gameplay model, Marathon is shaping up to be one of the fall’s most talked-about shooters.
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