Bungie’s Marathon reboot will not be arriving on September 23, 2025, as previously announced. The studio behind Destiny and Halo Share the Delay on the developer’s website, as a new release date will be shared later this fall. This points to Bungie’s effort to meet a community that’s passionate about the game.
Responding to Player Feedback
As an alpha test was run in April, player opinions were sparked on a delay due to diverse directions the game is heading towards. Bungie accepted the feedback from the community and said their messages on social media and Discord have been very loud. The studio said that the team has taken the feedback seriously and they will spend more time polishing Marathon into an experience that players will be excited about and passionate about.
Refining the Core Experience
Through Alpha test Bungie got the opportunity to focus on adding features that makes Marathon an interesting live service extraction shooter. The studio said it aims to improve major features like intense survival play, enigmatic narrative, challenging endgame, and the fast-paced action that made Bungie’s first-person shooter IP so famous. This will give us the extra time to ensure that all these elements will provide a gripping and memorable experience.
Addressing Key Improvements
According to player feedback, Bungie will focus on three key areas to make Marathon better. This is an AAA team goal. They recently expressed their wish to improve the game’s survival aspect. This is through more difficult AI encounters and other features. Expect tougher combat and a more rewarding overall experience. The game will improve on its graphics and have a darker story that fits the story and tone of the original Marathon game. The studio’s final plan includes adding more social features, such as better support for solo and duo play, as well as by proximity chat to make interactions more dynamic.
A Commitment to Quality
The CEO of Sony Interactive Entertainment, Hermen Hulst has assured fans the Marathon reboot will have a release date before March 31, 2026. In addition, the studio will not repeat the mistakes made with Concord last year, after receiving brutal feedback from fans. This delay is to help Bungie refine the game so that it can deliver the high-stakes and immersive experience expected from such a title.
Looking Ahead
Bungie first revealed the Marathon reboot in May 2023, but development encountered issues, such as the discovery of plagiarized assets during alpha. Regardless of the obstacles, the studio is determined to create a game that the community wants. The team thanked its players for being patient and passionate and promised to share more information, including a new release date, later this fall. With extra time, Marathon can be molded into a great game which could determine the studio’s future in the gaming industry.